Eden’s Corporate Center, situated in Northbrook, IL, is a Class A all-electric office complex featuring two interconnected 4-story buildings linked by a tenant lounge. The HVAC system comprises eight 60-ton DX rooftop units (RTU’s) serving both buildings, along with 19-unit heaters designated for the indoor garage space located in the basement.
An investigation revealed that the RTU’s were running on a fixed Building Automation System (BAS) schedule, maintaining consistent space temperature setpoints during both occupied and unoccupied hours. Several discrepancies in the HVAC sequence of operations and setpoints were identified, deviating from the original design intent. These issues contributed to significantly high energy consumption, qualifying the facility for energy-saving consulting services through the ComEd© Energy Efficiency Program.
Baumann Consulting, an authorized service provider under the ComEd© Energy Efficiency Program, conducted a retro-commissioning process and identified five key energy conservation measures:
- Optimizing RTU schedules
- Implementing a duct static pressure reset
- Enhancing the air-side economizer functionality
- Establishing a federal holiday schedule
- Introducing an optimum start/stop sequence
Post-implementation in August 2023, the building is projected to achieve an annual savings of 18.6% in electrical energy consumption, translating to $36,838 in utility cost savings. This reduction corresponds to an annual decrease of 275 metric tons of CO2 emissions, aligning with sustainability objectives and promoting environmental stewardship.
