ENERGY: Gas savings February 2017, new heating controls

All, The first results are in the bank. More to come.

Situation:  The space above the garage ceiling contains various pipes for fire suppression and other services.  It is heated by a gas hot air system.

A hard look at our 900 Marshy Cove expense reports showed unreasonably high gas consumption in March, April, and May. Why? It was discovered that the heater was running continually at full blast producing bills of $800-$900 per month.

The original controls installed by Beazer’s contractor were simplistic and eventually malfunctioned.

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Pliescott HVAC installed the new heater controls for the garage ceiling on February 2 at a cost of $721.00.

February 2017, 235 units, 8.1 per day, $363.62, average temp= 42, (29 days)

January 2017, 737 units, 22.7 per day, $1096.43, average temp= 41, (33 days)

February 2016, 626 units, 22,3 per day, ---------, average temp= 37, (28 days)

Savings from January(33 days) to February(29 days)= $732.70

 or 22.7- 8.1 units per day = 14.6 units per day or about $20.60 per day

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How it works:

• A wireless temperature sensor is located in the space above the garage ceiling
• A second wireless temperature sensor is located in the garage below the ceiling
• The temperature in the garage must be below 45 degf to enable the heater.
• If the temperature in the garage goes below 45, the heater works to keep the ceiling space at 65 degf.

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Other costs savings: Elevator Sequence of Operation

Last year, we changed the elevator sequence of operation.

Now the elevators do not return to the lobby after every trip.

Elevator cabs now remain at the last floor until called again.

This eliminated some wait time and empty trips from the lobby.

It was a simple control setting change by Schindler.

Empty trips from the lobby to the upper floors cost energy.

We haven’t been able to determine the energy savings yet, but, it is there.

There should also be some maintenance savings over the long term.

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We are also changing all light bulbs in the building to LED's.  All of the hallway wall lamps were previously replaced with LED's saving us approximately $5000 per year.

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Regards, 900 Marshy Cove's Board of Directors

mc900@comcast.net

Cold Weather: Freeze Warning!

All residents, owners, board members,

We have extremely cold weather headed our way with temps steadily falling from now thru Friday morning before slowly starting to rise. Please contact owners of known vacant units to insure heat is on if you know how to reach them.

It was discovered last week during a move-in the gas was turned completely off in one unit. It may have been warm enough to prevent freezing up to this point but anyone having unheated units from now on stands a pretty good chance of having pipes freeze and burst.

A minimum thermostat setting of 60-63 degrees F is recommended for vacant units. 

Stay safe and warm.

Andy, Sentry Management

If you are off site and need someone to tend to your unit, 

send an email or call Sentry Management,

cambridge@sentrymgt.com    410-221-0398

or send an email to mc900@comcast.net

Duct Cleaning Complete

On Thursday, July 28, 2016, the common area ventilation ducts 

on each floor were cleaned by a professional service company.  

Bird nests and other debris were removed from the ductwork.  

To prevent future entry, the ducts were covered with wire mesh.

send your comments to mc900@comcast.net

How to save on your Delmarva Electric Bill

Many of you may already know about this program. My unit has been on this program for 3 summers.  You will never notice the difference.

Most peak periods occur during week days on the hottest days of summer.
I recommend the exterior control box called a Digital Cycling Unit (DCU).



Shave $30 to $80 off your Air conditioning bill.

Watch the video.  https://energywiserewards.delmarva.com/md/index.php 

Energy Wise Rewards is a tool for Maryland customers to take more control over your energy usage, save money on your energy costs, and take a big step towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

Demand for electricity in Maryland is rapidly rising. During the "peak demand" times of summer, Energy Wise Rewards works to reduce electricity usage by "cycling" central air conditioners throughout the region, averting power outages, and reducing the need for costly, new electrical infrastructure.

There are no hidden costs or fees, and the program is completely voluntary. Because your participation is so important, we are offering this critical program at no charge, complete with valuable incentives. Joining is a choice that not only benefits you personally, but benefits your community and environment as well.

Enroll now by choosing your participation level and energy-saving device. You'll receive a one-time installation credit, Monthly Reward Bill Credit, and your choice of Energy-Saving Devices at no charge!

LEARN MORE:

How the Program Works
Your Participation Options
Frequently Asked QuestionsEnergy Wise Rewards for Commercial and Business Customers

send you comments to mc900@comcast.net

Annual Service for your Air Conditioning System, 2016

The units at 900 Marshy Cove and 700 Cattail Cove should to be serviced every year.

• In June, you should pour a cup of bleach down the condensate drain.
• Spring and Autumn are good times to change your air filter.

During the season, condensation from the coiling coils can support the growth of "biological crud" in the drain. The bleach should clear any developing blockage. Failure to clear a blockage will result in an overflow and potential water damage to your unit and units below.

How it works: (This description varies with your condo floor plan.)

• Your air conditioning system has three primary components:
• The  Compressor which is in the garage or outside
• The Coiling Coil also called the Evaporator Coil in your duct work located in your laundry room or utility closet.
• The tubing that connects the two units

Primary drain is on the right. note trap at  bottom that where crud builds up. The left pipe is the overflow.

Remove cap. Slowly pour the bleach in here. 

• The condensate drain pipes are located in your unit in your laundry room or utility closet
• There are two white PVC pipes coming out of the duct work. (see photos)
• One is the primary condensate drain. Its purpose is to drain the condensed humidity away and out of your unit and out of the building. It has several bends and an access cap.
• The second pipe is a back-up or overflow drain which directs excess water to an overflow pan at the bottom of the duct assembly. If you see water in this visible pan, you have a problem with your primary drain. 
• The back-up pan has a float switch which should shut down your system if it is full. 
• The copper tubes that connect both units run through the building, Under normal operation, one is hot and one is cold. A pin-hole leak may mean full replacement.  Usually these lines are durable enough to last for years. Most leaks occur at the connections. 

Simple checks: Do this on a warm day

• Turn your conditioner on. Set the thermostat a few degrees lower. Are you getting cool air blowing out of your registers? Check your room temperature, It it going down? How long does it take to get to the cooler setting. use a good thermometer to check.

Ceiling register

• Find your compressor in garage or outside. They are labeled. The fan should be blowing warm to hot air. That's the heat the AC is removing from your unit. Compare with other operating compressors. If the air is cool, you may have a problem.

Solutions:

• The unit owner is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all air conditioning equipment.
• You may select any HVAC service company.
• We have experience with Black Water Heating and Air Conditioning, 
• 4364 Egypt Rd., Cambridge, MD 21613, (410) 221-0180
• Standard service should be less than $100.  Full recharge of gas up to $300.
• Contact Sentry Management if you need more assistance. (410)221-0398
• Get a good thermostat. The Trane thermostats that Beazer installed are mediocre (cheap). Honeywell makes the best on the market. Use time schedules to save money. 

Electronic Thermostat. 

• When you leave the unit do for an extended period in the summer, set the AC to 78-80. It will minimize humidity. 
• Subscribe to the power companies "peak savings program". Have them put the "peaking switch" on the AC unit. Using their thermostat can affect heating. One winter, they shut off our heating units of course by accident. That was fun.
• For the handy man: The best check is to check the coil box temperature. Open it up, insert a thermometer, then close it. Let the unit run for 10 minutes, then remove the thermometer. 55 degrees or less is good. I use a radio remote thermometer which you can buy at Radio Shack or most hardware stores.

The inner workings. This is the cooling coil. This chamber should be 55 degrees or less.

Stay Cool, Uncle George

mc900@comcast.net