Energy Compliance Auditor??

[Les]

Ok guys, I've run into an issue I've never had before.

We're looking at moving into a new space so we're looking into costs and what we need to do.

So, one of the guys from the church met with an energy compliance auditor, which I assumed along with many others that he would tell us the R-Values of each space needed, maybe the A/C size needed, etc.

But, this guy is wanting a Lighting plan, and apparently according to him 50% of the lights have to be controlled by switches.

The plan is to have some Scoop lights or fresnel lights to be used for lighting during service, all controlled by the light board and dimmers.

For work light we would have several fluorescent fixtures controlled by switches by the door. Which should be fine and meet the 50% rule (of course 100% of them would be on switches).

He also said that if we use track lighting for the stage (which we are not) that as long at the end of the track lighting plugs in then it doesn't have to be included in the "lighting plan" but if it's hardwired then does. I'm not sure where my standard theatrical dimmer system fits into this scheme of things.

Anyway, I wanted to see if anyone else had run into an Energy Compliance Auditor and to see if the have heard of any of their rules.

Please note that this isn't talking about emergency lighting, that's a whole separate system and issue.

Thanks,
Les

[tedanderson]

Is this guy a bureaucrat sent by the local municipality or is this some third-party agency?

I never heard of such an individual, although I have encountered people who were salesmen disguised as quasi-government officials pretending that they are enforcing the law when they are really selling their product or service creatively.

[theatre4jc]

We had one come by our church a few months ago to look at our power usage. They started asking questions and making comments like "your dimmer room doesn't need to be set at 70* all the time" to which I responded yes they do because the actual optimal operating temp for these dimmers is 68* and the higher the temp in the room, the less efficient they are energy wise, which means I'm actually waisting more money and energy than I would be saving by not keeping the room cool. I was quick to point out that this person was a moron and once our church listened to what was suggested, yes we saved over $1,000 a month in energy costs, but we also have had constant condensation from our AC units and more units have failed from the constant up/down, on/off that the units endure now. Also they now wait till an hour before service to turn on the AC and try to cool the 7,500 seat room and wonder why people complain that it's too hot!

My opinion was quickly formed about energy auditors and so far they have proven me correct. Oh and during the week, my room gains so much humidity from the AC never running that I can fully see my beams on my lights! No room should EVER have that much humidity. Now my Source Four fixtures are starting to fail from the corrosion that is forming in the bases, due completely to this very issue. So our "energy saving" audit is going to end up costing us TONs more than we save in the long run. Plus it's just freaking hot during the work day now when we aren't running the AC in the rooms "not occupied" that I typically spend all my work hours in.

My advice, ignore everything that fool says.

[Les]

Originally Posted by tedanderson

Is this guy a bureaucrat sent by the local municipality or is this some third-party agency?

I never heard of such an individual, although I have encountered people who were salesmen disguised as quasi-government officials pretending that they are enforcing the law when they are really selling their product or service creatively.

Ted,

My thoughts went there too, but I didn't want to say anything just yet that I was leaning that way.

I'm trying to figure out who this person is and what exactly they do.

It could be official though, I've just never heard of it.

[Gene]

California has part of the building code known as Title 24 that mandates some basic energy efficiency as part of new construction and remodels. But that's handled as part of the local building department or whoever is issuing building permits.

I've never heard of "Energy Compliance Officer". I also find it somewhat telling that Googling on "Energy Compliance Officer" (w/quotes) gives exactly one hit (CMN will probably show up as a second one eventually ). Without quotes gives lots of hits, but none in the first ones that suggests what it is.

[cmchamp]

A city to the west of me has one of their utility workers assessing each household's "carbon footprint" by asking about appliances, water softener, etc., yadda.
IF ever one of these "cronies" shows up at my door, they will be instructed to assess to their hearts content from the public right of way and if they protest, be escorted from my property at the end of my choice of barrels.

[millamber]

Originally Posted by Les

But, this guy is wanting a Lighting plan, and apparently according to him 50% of the lights have to be controlled by switches.

The plan is to have some Scoop lights or fresnel lights to be used for lighting during service, all controlled by the light board and dimmers.

For work light we would have several fluorescent fixtures controlled by switches by the door. Which should be fine and meet the 50% rule (of course 100% of them would be on switches).

He also said that if we use track lighting for the stage (which we are not) that as long at the end of the track lighting plugs in then it doesn't have to be included in the "lighting plan" but if it's hardwired then does. I'm not sure where my standard theatrical dimmer system fits into this scheme of things.

The hardwired bit is because theatrical style fixtures are by definition for "portable" or "temporary" uses. They are meant to be used only as needed, and are not a continuous load, therefore they are not included in energy saving calculations. Hardwired fixtures are considered permanent structures and are therefore subject to different guidelines.

I'm actually having this problem in reverse with an inspector who objects to our using ETC Source four pars as houselights and is demanding the fixture tails be run in flex conduit and hardwire into a junction box.

[theatre4jc]

Originally Posted by millamber

I'm actually having this problem in reverse with an inspector who objects to our using ETC Source four pars as houselights and is demanding the fixture tails be run in flex conduit and hardwire into a junction box.

Ouch. Don't like that kind of setup at all. Don't know if you realized this, Chris but that is how my high school room in the Warehouse is set up. I hate it. always scared of the fixture becoming live while I'm relamping. For your client's sake I hope the inspector gives in!

[millamber]

Yeah, it would require lockout/tagout of the dimmer module to relamp the fixture, or a secondary breaker between the two. Not fun. Although ETC is (allegedly) exploring the idea of producing a fixture with a flexconduit tail but it would have to go back through UL for listing and they aren't sure about recouping that cost for a specialty fixture unless the demand was significant.

[Esoteric]

Never heard of this. I would tell the guy to take a hike.

Mike

[petereit]

It's a Texas thing.

From TexEnergy.org

What You Need to Know About Texas Senate Bill 5

The passage of Senate Bill 5 (SB5) by the 77th Texas Legislature introduced a sweeping change in the state's approach to clean air and energy efficiency. The bill was enacted in 2001 to assist the state in complying with the Federal Clean Air Act and contains new energy-efficiency measures for buildings that are designed to decrease energy consumption while improving air quality.

New Energy Code Implementation Requirements

As per Sec.388.003, all Texas counties must adopt:

1. Energy efficiency chapter of International Residential Code for single-family residential construction.
2. International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2003 for all other residential, commercial, and industrial construction.

[millamber]

I'm not sure where my standard theatrical dimmer system fits into this scheme of things.

It is an exception. Referencing the bill above:

Is there an additional wattage allowance for religious spaces where performance art or music programs are held and where multi-scene controls may be in use?
There is no specific "religious space" exemption for additional lighting specifically for performance art or music programs. However, there is a standard exemption for lighting designed and used specifically for theatrical purposes, performance, stage, and film and video production that could apply in this case. This specific exempted lighting would need to be designed and installed to be in addition to the general lighting for the space and controlled separately from the general lighting.


ASHRAE 90.1-2004, Exception (m) to Section 9.2.2.3 Automatic Lighting Shutoff
Lighting for theatrical purposes, including performance, stage, and film and video production.