Honeywell controls optimize the efficiency of natural gas boilers at Fort Dix

(14/09/2009)

Honeywell has installed controls to optimize the cycling time and efficiency of natural gas boilers at more than 80 facilities at Fort Dix, N.J., a training and mobilization center for the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard, and replaced nine aging boilers at the Visiting Officers' Quarters (VOQ) and Doughboy Inn with heat pumps and occupancy sensors in each room to reduce the use of heating and air-conditioning equipment.

Honeywell also installed two solar arrays at Fort Dix. The solar installations are part of a $17.6-million program that will decrease energy consumption at the post by almost 10 percent and water use by more than 5 percent. The program, which includes a variety of energy-efficient facility and infrastructure upgrades, will help Fort Dix meet federal efficiency and renewable energy mandates, among other benefits.

Additional work included lighting upgrades, and expanding the post's energy monitoring and control system to better match the heating and cooling delivery with the needs of the soldiers and civilian employees. As a result, energy costs will decrease, while working and training conditions improve.

Honeywell also modified the irrigation system at the golf course to use treated water from the post's wastewater facility, which is expected to reduce annual water consumption by 29 million gallons. The company will provide onsite technicians as well to maintain optimal performance of the new equipment and building automation systems.

"There is such a range of energy-saving technologies that it can be difficult for organizations to know which to use given their unique situation," said Kevin Madden, vice president of global sales for Honeywell Building Solutions. "Working with the leaders and energy experts at Fort Dix, we identified the retrofits and renewable energy source that would help the post meet its efficiency and climate targets, and provide the greatest return on investment."

Since the 1980s, Honeywell completed more than 5,000 energy-efficiency projects in facilities across the globe, including recent work at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C. and other Army posts. It also helped 5 million homeowners decrease their energy use through its work with utilities. These projects are expected to deliver more than $5 billion in energy and operational savings.

Related categories:  Air conditioning controls   Boilers - Commercial   Energy Conservation   Heat pumps   Heating controls   Rainwater   Water treatment