By installing a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) zoning system from Mitsubishi Electric US Cooling & Heating Division in its new headquarters, Franklin Energy Services, LLC saved 32 percent in electricity and 48 percent in gas in its first year, compared with average usage for a comparable building. The savings are all the more impressive because the new headquarters are in a historic building in Port Washington, WI.
Franklin Energy has consulted with utilities, municipalities, and states to create energy-efficiency programs for their commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential customers since 1994. For example, Franklin Energy’s Focus on Energy program has been working with Wisconsin residents and businesses for more than 10 years to install cost-effective energy-efficient and renewable energy projects.
A Showcase for Energy Efficiency
Franklin Energy moved its 10,000-square-foot national headquarters into a historic structure on the shores of Lake Michigan in January 2011. Formerly the Smith Brothers processing plant (Port Washington was once famous for the national distribution of white fish, chub, perch, and trout), the building is on the National Register for Historic Places. According to Franklin Energy CEO Paul Schueller, the company had always made its headquarters a showcase for the firm’s approach to energy efficiency. “We have a long history of selecting underutilized buildings for our headquarters and regional offices,” Schueller said.
| Energy Usage | CBECS Average | Franklin Energy Actual | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 17.9 kWh/ft2/y | 12.2 kWh/ft2/y | 32% |
| Gas | 42.3 ft3/ft2/y | 21.9 ft3/ft2/y | 48% |
The choice to use Mitsubishi Electric’s VRF zoning technology was based on several factors:
- Energy savings
- Ease of installation
- Superb quietness (sound attenuation)
- A great ability for load-sharing (not possible with conventional systems)
- Ingenious INVERTER®-driven compressor
- Small footprint and lightweight modularity of the outdoor units
- Industry-exclusive simultaneous cooling and heating ability
Data Demonstrate Savings
Mark T. Kuntz, P.E., Mitsubishi Electric’s vice president of Marketing & Engineered Solutions, said, “Franklin Energy is a very high-profile project for us. They have an excellent reputation for helping utilities and municipalities all over the U.S. achieve impressive energy savings through sound program implementation practices.”
Kuntz said that Mitsubishi Electric is delighted that Franklin Energy selected the Mitsubishi Electric VRF zoning system for its headquarters building. “Not only do we respect Franklin Energy’s work in the area of energy efficiency, but the installation provided an opportunity for our engineers to collect 12 months of solid energy-savings quantification,” Kuntz said.
Using actual utility meter data as well as measured data from an energy monitoring system, the results showed significant energy savings compared to the average Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) energy usage for a building of its size and construction type (see the chart).
These results validated the original energy model projections. The actual energy usage for electricity and gas were within one and five percent of the models, respectively. While saving a great deal of energy is an excellent result, comfort was still a top priority for Franklin Energy and the people working on site.
“This Mitsubishi Electric VRF zoning system has been a lifesaver for individual comfort and for helping us save on energy costs.”
— Paul Schueller, CEO, Franklin Energy
“Because of the building’s orientation and outdated glass windows, solar gain was a huge issue for our HVAC systems selection,” Schueller said. “This Mitsubishi Electric VRF zoning system has been a lifesaver for individual comfort and for helping us save on energy costs. Because of the Mitsubishi Electric INVERTER technology and individual room controls, the perimeter offices in this old building have been very comfortable in all seasons.”
For more information, visit www.mitsubishipro.com.
