Seagate Towers is a twin-tower luxury condominium complex in Delray Beach, Florida. Constructed in 1970, the towers contain a total of 149 units that each feature more than 1,700 feet of living space and unobstructed views of either the abutting Intercostal Water- way or the Atlantic Ocean, which is an only block away.
In 2011, Seagate Towers Condominium Association manager Jon Branson and his facilities management team decided that it was time to replace the original heating and cooling units in both buildings with modern and energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Along with increased efficiency, the other primary goal of the upgrade was to improve upon the inad equate humidity control provided by the 41-year- old water source heat pump ventilation systems.
The original design exhausted air through the roof and sent fresh make-up air to the corridors of each building, which was then drawn into the living spaces by bathroom and kitchen fans through under- cut doors. The system routinely struggled to de- humidify the make-up air, especially in summer.
An Innovative Solution
With an eye toward both efficiency and comfort, Branson and his team chose to incorporate energy recovery wheels into the replacement unit specification for each building.
Energy recovery wheels recycle energy from building exhaust air to pre-cool and dehumidify fresh air prior to that air being treated by an HVAC unit. The condominium association hired Thompson Youngross Engineering Consultants (TYEC), of Delray Beach, to design the replacement HVAC systems.
polymer energy transfer media
The advantage of Airxchange’s stainless steel wheel and patented polymer energy transfer media is corrosion resistance
Dan Thompson, of TYEC, recommended Airxchange energy recovery wheels based on previous experiences designing systems for oceanfront buildings.
While most energy recovery wheels remove a high percentage of moisture from incoming air when used in warm and humid locations, the advantage of Airxchange’s standard stainless steel wheel and patented polymer energy transfer media is ideal corrosion resistance under even the most challenging environmental conditions.
Energy savings
Four 12.5 ton packaged rooftop units and four integrated Airxchange energy recovery wheels were specified for the renovation. Each Airxchange wheel provides an additional 9 tons of capacity to each rooftop unit.
The new system utilizes the original exhaust and supply ducts that run along the elevator shaft of each building. The exhaust airstream of each building now “on-site” energy to be recycled by the Airxchange wheels, drastically reducing the demand for energy by the new HVAC units.
With the upgraded HVAC systems in place, aided to a large degree by the output of the four Airxchange wheels, Seagate Towers reduced their total mechanical equipment load (and associated operating costs) by 36 tons.
Savings on Equipment
Though savings may vary based on the application, the installation costs for Airxchange wheels are often largely offset by the downsized, lower cost heating and cooling units allowed by the increased system efficiency.
Energy and Operational Savings
The installation costs for Airxchange wheels are often largely offset by the downsized, lower cost heating and cooling units
The intelligently conceived and executed renovation ultimately helped Seagate Towers win the battle against humidity. Indoor air comfort improved noticeably after the new systems were installed and balanced.
“The new units have done an excellent job of providing fresh outside air with better humidity control than we had previously,” notes Branson. “We used to get sweating on the grills and registers, and that no longer occurs.”
A Well Deserved Energy Rebate
Seagate Towers was awarded a commercial rebate by the utility provider, Florida Power and Light (FPL), based on the lower electricity usage allowed by the new HVAC systems.
These types of rebates are offered by FPL, along with many other utility companies throughout the country, as an incentive for customers to lower demand.
Potential Savings Throughout the Region
The success story at Seagate Towers is part of a growing trend on the eastern coast of Florida that is seeing facilities managers and contractors conserve energy, reduce both operating costs and humidity, and ensure high quality air in older oceanfront buildings by utilizing energy recovery technology as a vital part of HVAC system renovations.
