Traditionally, a RFQ is executed to find a group of companies with the technical installation expertise along with ongoing service capability. The mechanical contractor or engineering firm would look at the current equipment specifications and upgrade the plans based on the most current ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air- Conditioning Engineers) specifications and building codes.
Under current standard specifications this would increase the filtration to a much greater specification along with additional extra outside air. Of course, all of the outside air has to be heated or cooled and humidity controlled, which means higher electric and natural gas bills and budgets. The engineers make sure the equipment meets industry standards (to relieve them from liability), which may ultimately expand the capital budget to cover the new equipment costs.
What if instead of specifying a specific piece of equipment, the approach was to specify what the board is trying to accomplish?
The need:
Provide an air handling solution that provides energy savings, carbon footprint reduction and cleaner/safer air in today’s post Covid world,
This changes the equation to a design build or Energy-as- a-Service approach with creative solutions and lower CapEx (capital expenditure) and operating costs. Of course, if your current system is dilapidated and unsafe, replacement is the only choice. Energy-as-a-Service companies will look at how to provide the desired solution, instead of just replacing a piece of equipment. Be careful what you specify because that will limit potential solutions.
As an example of this alternative bidding process:
Specify the desire to rebuild the AHU to like-new specifications, including increased insulation and door seals along with EC (electronically commutated) Motors that are more energy efficient (or variable speed drives).
This solution is an improved alternative with budget savings of 60-70%. A clean air solution should be developed to meet the alternate ASHRAE clean air standard of treating the possible hazards based on the building use so that increased filters are not needed along with their corresponding energy increases. In fact, the make up outside air exchanges can
30 | COMMON INTEREST®
HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FINANCING SOLUTIONS
be reduced for additional energy savings while meeting all of the safety and health requirements. Of course, there are CapEx savings since we didn’t need a helicopter to lift it on the roof either! More importantly, CapEx savings and the ongoing energy savings extend your AHU’s life up to 15-years.
When bidding out projects, services, or equipment replacement at your community association, take the time to consider what is good, better, or best. Fully evaluate each submitted bid in all its aspects. Sometimes, the low bid is simply not the best actual solution.
• Winter 2022 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
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