Get the MAX out of your EMS!

  Thinking about Installing a Boiler Control System?  I know, I know… you are thinking that spring is coming and why do I need a heat controller now anyway? Whether you call it a heat controller, boiler controller or energy management system, there is never a bad time to install one in your building. You might even be thinking of ripping out the junk you have now and getting a better one. Energy management systems promise a lot of savings. Some companies boast up to a 10% savings on energy costs. Is that realistic? Do you really get savings like that just by slapping a device on the wall of your boiler room and installing temperature sensors in your tenant apartments? Sounds simple right? It’s not. This got me thinking about all the companies offering an EMS, mine included. Are we providing our clients the best opportunity to lower cost, reduce energy consumption, keep tenants warm and cozy and comply with the housing laws of the city and state? Is having the best product enough?  Buildings are like people; each one is different. They were made differently, aged differently, have been used and abused differently. I think you get the point. Each building has unique characteristics and each will react differently to the same energy management system. So how do you achieve maximum results from your EMS? The answers are Assessment, Training and Monitoring & Service. Assessment Understanding a building’s heat distribution system is critical. Many older steam and hot water…