Energy policy in the United States puts the cost burden on the building owner

BEST 6.0 — where examples become specifics to know your building’s HVAC and water heating estimated usage. All you need to know is where your building is located and the size of your building. BEST 6.0 is free software that allows every engineer to describe the HVAC and water heating methods to the point where every contractor can budget that system per square foot.

BEST 6.0 then compares the system as described against the building load and utility costs. The output includes nine color reports with graphs and detail on when and where energy consumption is possible. The detail opens the dialog between the asset manager and the design team for informed decisions early before money is spent on modeling software that requires specific detail of design or redesign. BEST 6.0 does not replace EnergyPlus, it identifies, based on the owners’ requirements, what will be key considerations for the life of the building and the impact of costs — utilities, installation and life.

Why hydronic systems offer a solution is why BEST 6.0 is free:

1. Hydronics is the lowest-cost horsepower to move comfort in a building by a factor of 10 – 15;

2. There is no GWP or carbon footprint caused by water (GWP=0);

3. Net energy;

• A problem with energy consumption is using it — one-way flow;
• A problem with cooling is rejecting more heat than removed from the building;
• Compressor heat and dumping it in the atmosphere — “urban heat;”
• A problem with decarbonization is water heating cost;
• Solution — net energy;
• Produce comfort at the lowest cost — less horsepower;
• Move energy at the lowest cost — less electricity;
• Cooling as a source for heating — energy NET — sharing;
• The BASE load in a building — heat and cool HVAC and water — the ability to NET;
• What and when heating and cooling throughout the entire building HVAC and water heating, ventilation air to wastewater;
• Heat recovery not “heat” rejected;

4. BEST 6.0 identifies when and where opportunities exist for HVAC and wastewater;

• Cooling is an answer to heating;
• If you are heating water, you should be cooling with water;

5. BEST 6.0 is largely about cost — your system input against your cost input; and

• BEST 6.0 wizards included hundreds of examples — your team makes the output reports about your building at your cost.

Hydronic system advantages — It is why BEST 6.0 is free. It is time for thermodynamics and cost to be front and center versus marketing rhetoric that does not address your building and your cost.

The energy efficiency burden in North America is on the owner — “Know before you buy.”  BEST 6.0 is free. You deserve an explanation. BEST 6.0 is easy and fast — and you can do it yourself.     

For more information, visit www.hia-c.org.