Energy

ALPHA specializes in custom Energy Assessment’s consistent with ASHRAE Level I, II, and III Energy Audits. We preform detailed examinations of how facilities use energy and other controllable utilities, quantify the buildings’ energy and water consumption, the cost of energy, technical analysis of the buildings and associated systems and provide a set of recommendations to reduce the energy costs.  

The quest for water sustainability, energy conservation, and environment-friendly technologies has necessitated development of alternate water and energy resources that are clean, energy-efficient and cost-effective. The condensate from heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems has been identified as potential source of clean water, which is typically removed and disposed of in a sanitary drain. The condensate can be successfully captured and beneficially reused for water sustainability and building energy recovery. 

As part of a total facility condition assessment, energy management, conservation evaluations, and audits can be added to a scope of work to make the complete process even more efficient. ALPHA works to identify building-specific systems where readily achievable energy conservation opportunities exist, and integrates those recommendations into the overall capital plan. Evaluations are based on LEED® reference materials for Green Building Operations and Maintenance and on ASHRAE standards for Level 1 and Level 2 energy audits. Unique building scoring metrics and benchmarking are capable of being developed along with flexible, custom databases. 

Assessments include visual inspections on current irrigation systems, which include documenting current deficiencies, possible alternate technology uses, as-built drawings locating controllers, heads, valves, and backflows. Roughly 30 percent of the nation’s potable water supplies are being consumed for outdoor irrigation use around institutional and commercial facilities, thus making the necessity for more efficient irrigation systems crucial. With advancements in improved irrigation technologies, clients are experiencing significant water usage reductions, decreased maintenance costs, and an increase of available funds that can be directed to other priorities 

Rainwater harvesting is collecting the run-off from a structure or other impervious surface in order to store it for later use. Traditionally, this involves harvesting the rain from a roof. The rain will collect in gutters that channel the water into downspouts and then into some sort of storage vessel. The collected water is then distributed back into the facility, for uses such as irrigation purposes, cooling towers, or stored for the purposes of pressure washing the pavements around the facility. 

Water management plans help individual facilities set long- and short-term water conservation goals. A successful water management program starts with a comprehensive strategic plan. The plan provides information about current water uses and charts a course for water efficiency improvements, conservation activities, and water-reduction goals.