The demand for energy efficiency has never been higher in the U.S., particularly in the past year, in which oil and gas prices have fallen and the entire makeup of energy production and investments continues to change. HVAC manufacturers, public officials and investors are all on board with the need to optimize the use of energy in the country, with a primary focus on commercial buildings.

Since the commercial sector is responsible for up to 40 percent of total U.S. electricity consumption, it’s not just a matter of making small alterations to buildings, but rather the necessity for a paradigm shift toward greater energy efficiency. Not only is the commercial sector affected, but the total U.S. economy as well.

In recent months, state and federal lawmakers rushed to pass legislation to increase building standards and implement new energy-efficiency codes. On March 27, the U.S. Senate passed the Energy Efficiency Improvement Act, which upgrades building codes and will likely be included within a larger bill known as the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, according to The Hill.

The move by the Senate is an addition to the recent White House order on March 19 that aims to reduce energy costs by $18 billion by 2025, The National Law Review reported.

Further, a new initiative in California, a leading state in the pursuit of sustainability, will retrofit existing commercial buildings with the goal of doubling energy efficiency savings by 2030, according to The Energy Collective. Through the use of new innovative technologies, stricter environmental standards and government-funded resources, buildings in the state will be overhauled in the coming decades.

Retrofitting for performance
The task of updating commercial buildings goes beyond using more efficient windows, insulation and lighting. Installing energy controls in buildings connected to the cloud helps building managers and technicians track the performance of buildings in real time. For example, if certain energy-efficient products are installed, analytical sensors and diagnostics can chart and calculate just how much energy and money is being saved.

Over time, businesses can create entire new frameworks of building construction with the data collected from these sensors. This allows better planning and more thorough implementation of future retrofits, thus saving money.

In the case of HVAC systems, these analytical models track and regulate temperature and air controls for performance. If an HVAC unit is drawing too much electricity compared to its prior performance, then there is likely a leak or malfunctioning part within the system. Once the part is identified, technicians are able to replace it with a newer model.

Revamped HVAC capacity
With existing HVAC systems outfitted completely for efficiency, units operate more effectively and require less energy to power. Perhaps the best way to accomplish this is to employ the use of HVAC coil coating services.

HVAC coils can degrade in a matter of weeks, and without quick detection, HVAC systems function at a subpar rate. And once one part of a unit begins performing poorly, the rest of the system is affected. This is especially true in corrosive environments, whereby coils can rust and eventually break completely.

By coating HVAC replacement coils with a protective layer of superhydrophobic polyurethane, the ability for corrosion to set in is reduced. Not only does this process help coils withstand future problems relating to mold, corrosion and buildup, but the entire building itself benefits from cleaner air and more efficient temperature levels.

Rahn Industries has a full lineup of spray and immersion (dip)/ Bake protective coatings to meet your needs.