Project Description
This project was a retrofit of existing HVAC equipment with new sensors, actuators, network cables, and a new DDC system as part of a bond-funded energy retrofit project for this historic LAUSD High School built in 1931. Athena Engineering, Inc. was contracted directly by McKinstry Essention, the LAUSD Energy Manager, and was the primary HVAC and controls contractor.
The original system used pneumatic actuators which we replaced with electrically adapted actuators. The new DDC system also brought the chillers, boilers, cooling towers, and other HVAC equipment onto a unified front end. Energy was conserved by installing occupancy sensors to set the system to standby mode if no persons were detected. This allowed for significant decreases in energy consumption while maintaining the function of the system when required.
Constant volume multizone systems were converted to VAV systems by implementing and controlling new double dampers for the two decks. These VFD’s were used to control the supply and return fans in order to maintain the proper static levels with the introduction of the VAV’s. There were three buildings involved with this project and the EcoStruxure control system we designed and implemented integrated all three buildings into a simplified front end. The goals of this front end was to facilitate understanding of the system and allow maintenance to have a more accurate method of analyzing the needs for repairs as they arose. The front end was visible both through software and also through a web browser. Through the use of a maintenance dispatch port, maintenance workers in Los Angeles were able to view the system remotely in order to prevent any unnecessary dispatches of workers.
On the fun side, if the front of John Marshall looks familiar, it’s because some of your favorite movies were filmed there.
