Volume 8 – Mechanical and Electrical Services - Malaysia Geoportal

Chapter 6 ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN MANAGEMENT OF M&E INSTALLATION
It is equally important to consider glass window with low-emittance (Low-E Glass), which can reduce
solar heat gain up to 80%. The setback of this type of glass is that it reduces the amount of natural
daylight diffuse into the building. Alternatively, a few of advanced technology glazing systems is said
to be the next best solution to these problem, whereby it has some acceptable range of shading
coefficient (which block certain solar rays that contain heat) and also acceptable transmission to
daylight.
Insulation at the roof and wall is another important feature to reduce the heat gain into the building,
especially in a tropical climate like Malaysia. Insulation increases the resistance of a structure to heat
flow. For example, roof insulated with extruded polystyrene form on the flat roof and wall with
aerated concrete will remarkably reduce the solar heat gain compared to the normal single roof and
brick wall.
Planning the usage of space or zoning in the building would give extra advantage to maximize the
utilization of daylight in the building.
Work, which requires less concentration on light requirement (meeting room, seminar room,
ballroom, stores, etc) should be placed in the “Artificial Light Zone”, whereas work which requires
high intensive of lighting such as office for workers and managers should be placed at the daylight
zone.
The designer of air conditioning systems for both new and existing buildings should have as a
philosophy that systems, equipment and systems operation will be selected to minimize energy use.
Some points that need to be considered in the selection of services for new and existing building
are:-
- Setting energy targets for air conditioning services based on owner cost expectations and
building services expected life.
- Minimization of the energy use of all pieces of equipment through examination of equipment part
load and full load efficiencies and optimum operating conditions
- Selecting fans and pumps with low input power to output capacity and using operational
strategies to keep energy usage as low as possible
- Selecting systems and operational strategies that avoid the need for concurrent cooling and
heating (e.g. dehumidification cycles or reheat systems)
- Operation of the minimum amount of plant to provide acceptable space conditions when use out
of normal work hours is necessary
- Using separate systems to condition spaces, which have different hours for use (e.g. offices,
shops, computer rooms, PABX rooms, entrance lobbies and foyers)
- Using outside air cycles where climate allows
- Integration of outside air cycles with smoke control
Energy efficiency imply to improve efficiency, all we need to do is to improve motors efficiency as
operation of pump/motors accounts for 80% -90% of the energy costs in the water supply for
irrigation and drainage. The life time energy costs to run a continuous- duty motor are 10-25 times
higher than original motor purchase price. Thus energy efficient can play a major role in reducing
facility operating costs.
The potential of energy saving in a motor and drive could be achieved through improvements in the
motor installation such as:-
• Correct sizing of motor and drive-set-up during the design stage
• Managing the process to remove unnecessary load
• Keeping idling time to minimum
March 2009 6-3