There have been dramatic changes to the building controls market over the last 20 to 30 years. The “energy crisis” of the 1970s (along with the development of the microprocessor) sent the “Big 5” dominated pneumatics market into an energy management system (EMS) orbit that was joined by several dozen other manufacturers by the mid-1980s.
Last month, we started this series on the use of VFDs as part of a control system. We talked about the many benefits and some recommended cautions in applying the use of this technology.
In this overview of building information modeling, the authors review how BIM helped in three different projects, often with particular usage- and efficiency-based HVAC demands. While BIM’s space management skills can reduce costly changeorders and building design “clashes” ahead of time, in at least one instance, using BIM actually influenced the HVAC strategy for the better, too. See how HGA Architects and Engineers has used this to become a “model” firm.