Control Systems: Design, Performance, and Commissioning Issues

Spring 2012
These links are provided as information only and are not in any way to be considered a comprehensive listing or as an
endorsement by PG&E. All links were current at time of list creation. An electronic version of this list is available at
www.pge.com/energyclasses/

Related Online Resources:

Advanced Variable Air Volume System Design Guide
This comprehensive design guide is Attachment 11 of the California Energy Commissions PIER Final Report,
Integrated Energy Systems: Productivity and Building Science. It can be downloaded for free.
http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2008standards/prerulemaking/documents/2006-07-12_workshop/reviewdocs/2006-1207_ADVANCED_VAV_SYSTEM.PDF

American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

ASHRAE is a professional organization dedicated to the creation and promotion of excellent standard practices in
the HVAC&R industry. Members have access to ASHRAE technical articles and conference papers. Everyone
can browse abstracts of ASHRAEs numerous books, journal articles and other technical publications that are
available for purchase.
http://www.ashrae.org
AutomatedBuildings.com
Articles on many aspects of building controls, interviews, training opportunities, and control product reviews are
among the resources available on this building automation-focused Web site.
http://www.automatedbuildings.com
Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). Commercial HVAC Installation Guidelines
Both the Guidelines for Energy-Efficient Commercial Unitary HVAC Systems and the accompanying White Paper
can be downloaded from CEEs site. The Guidelines provide best practices, selection criteria, and details of
components and systems. HVAC commissioning is also outlined and discussed.
http://www.cee1.org/com/hecac/hecac-spec.php3
Control Engineering
Control Engineering covers many aspects of controls and their applications. Registration is required for a free
subscription to the magazine. Articles, newsletters, white papers, case studies, and product information are
available to everyone.
http://www.controleng.com/
Cooling Technology Institute (CTI)
CTI promotes the use of Evaporative Heat Transfer Systems that have minimum impact on the environment. This
site includes information about CTIs certification program, ToolKit software for cooling tower performance
analysis, and purchasing information for CTIs publications and papers.
http://www.cti.org

"PG&E" refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. 2012 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights
reserved.

CoolTools Chilled Water Plants Design Guide

This design guide from the CoolTools chilled water plants project can be downloaded from the publications
section of the Taylor Engineering site.
http://www.taylor-engineering.com/publications/design_guides.shtml
CtrlSpecBuilder
This is a free online tool that assists with the specification writing process for HVAC control systems. The format
is based on ASHRAE Guideline 13-2000.
https://www.ctrlspecbuilder.com/
DDC Online. Iowa Energy Center
The Iowa Energy Center provides unbiased information on Direct Digital Controls. This site includes a guide to
controls manufacturers and their products, an Introduction to Digital Control Systems, an Input/Output tutorial that
also covers analog devices, and advanced technical information on DDC Systems.
http://www.ddc-online.org
Energy Design Resources. HVAC Design
EDR provides access to many useful tools and resources related to the design and operation of energy efficient
buildings. The HVAC Design category includes design briefs, guidelines, and design software tools that cover a
variety of efficient HVAC design techniques and technologies. Titles include Design Guidelines for Chilled Water
Plants and Chiller Plant Efficiency.
http://www.energydesignresources.com/technology/hvac-design.aspx
Heating/Piping/Air Conditioning (HPAC) Engineering
HPAC articles under its BAS/Controls category cover a variety of topics on HVAC controls, networks, and building
automation.
http://hpac.com/bas-controls/
National Building Controls Information Program (NBCIP)
NBCIP was established by the Iowa Energy Center and provides unbiased information on building control system
products and strategies, including reports that describe the actual performance of products tested by the program.
All publications on the site can be downloaded free of charge.
http://www.buildingcontrols.org
Tool Lending Library at the Pacific Energy Center
The Tool Lending Library (TLL) site contains images and descriptions for its data collecting devices from over 100
vendors. Application Notes describe measurement techniques and provide step-by-step instructions for using
specific tools. The TLL has a search feature to help you select the right tools for your project. A tool request form
and contact information is also provided.
http://www.pge.com/pec/tll/

Commissioning
Building Commissioning Association (BCA)
The Building Commissioning Association is a professional organization dedicated to promoting building
commissioning practices that maintain high professional standards. Case studies, information about
commissioning-related events, membership information, Best Practices in Commissioning Exiting Buildings, and
other useful commissioning publications are available on this site.
https://netforum.avectra.com/eweb/StartPage.aspx?Site=BCA&WebCode=HomePage
California Climate Data
Heating and cooling degree days, bin data, and solar radiation data for several California locations are available
in the PEC Energy Resource Centers electronic catalog. Click on Special Titles under the Lists navigation bar.
http://207.67.203.54/P40007Staff/OPAC/index.asp

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California Commissioning Collaborative

The California Commissioning Collaborative is a group of government, utility, and building service professionals
organized to develop and promote commissioning practices in the California. The CCC site includes over 40 case
studies, and a Library of information under its Resources heading that contains articles, white papers, guides, and
sample commissioning documents.
http://www.cacx.org
Functional Testing and Design Guides
The Functional Testing Guide: Fundamentals to the Field, Checklist Tool and Test Directory, and Control System
Design Guide can be viewed and downloaded from the PECI Web site. The Guideline includes instructions on
how to use the FTG and modules on air handlers, chillers, boilers, condensers, and pumping.
http://www.peci.org/ftguide/
Green California. Commissioning and Retro-Commissioning Buildings
Californias initiative for green buildings includes the commissioning and retrocommissioning process. This
section describes the commissioning and retrocommissioning process and provides access to many useful
guidelines, reports, and tools. Links to related Green California sites are also provided.
http://www.green.ca.gov/CommissioningGuidelines/default.htm
Portland Energy Conservation, Inc. (PECI)
PECI, a nonprofit energy efficiency consulting corporation, offers access to very good information on building
commissioning topics. The Resource Library includes staff papers, presentations, best practices, case studies,
procedural guidelines, and links to other related sites. PECI also offers information on training opportunities.
http://www.peci.org

Protocols
BACnet
This official ASHRAE Web site provides the latest information on BACnet; vendors; a bibliography of articles,
papers and books; ASHRAE SSPC 135 news; and related activities.
http://www.bacnet.org
BACnet International
BACnet International promotes the use of BACnet in building automation and control systems. The site includes
information about their testing laboratory and testing results.
http://www.bacnetinternational.org/
Echelon LonWorks
The creators of the LonWorks Systems solutions provide product descriptions, information about training
opportunities, white papers, data sheets, manuals, and other technical documentation on their site. Guides for
LonMark are available in the documentation section of Support category.
http://www.echelon.com
LonMark International
LonMark is an association of manufacturers and end-users that promote the interoperability of LonWorks based
systems. This site includes product information, design guidelines, white papers, and certification information.
http://www.lonmark.org/

PG&E Resources:
Business Tools
PG&E Business Tools include Energy Usage, Billing History and Rate Comparison Tools.
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/myaccount/analysis/

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Demand Response Incentives

Information on the various Demand Response incentives offered by PG&E can be found here.
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/demandresponse/
Energy Use Audit Services. Energy Analyzer
Here are quick on-line tools for identifying and analyzing business energy use. Tools include a Do-It-Yourself
Energy Audit.
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/analyzer/
Money-Back Solutions for your Business by Industry
Here you will find information about cash rebates and incentives for replacing existing equipment with new energy
efficient technologies or purchasing new equipment. Design assistance for a new facility and system process is
also available.
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/incentivesbyindustry/
Partners and Trade Professionals
PG&E program partners, local contractors and trade professionals offer special assistance in implementing
energy efficiency measures for your business.
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/partnersandtradepros/
PG&E PowerPathway
PowerPathway offers a Portfolio of programs aimed at building capacity within the state of California to produce
the skilled workers needed by PG&E and the energy and utility industry. The PowerPathway Portfolio includes
four separate but interconnected efforts: Career preparation, Industry workforce challenges, Education, and
Green communities.
http://www.pge.com/about/careers/powerpathway/
Self-Generation Incentive Program at Pacific Gas and Electric
Financial incentive information, description of eligible technologies, forms, resources, and program contact
information can all be accessed here.
http://www.pge.com/mybusiness/energysavingsrebates/selfgenerationincentive/

Print Resources Available in the PECs Resource Center:

ACG Commissioning Guideline for Building Owners, Design Professionals and Commissioning Service
Providers. AABC Commissioning Group, 2005
ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005: The Commissioning Process. ASHRAE, 2005
ASHRAE Guideline 13-2000: Specifying Direct Digital Control (DDC) Systems. ASHRAE, 2001
ASHRAE Guideline for Commissioning HVAC Systems. ASHRAE Standard 1-1989
ASHRAE Handbook. Fundamentals. ASHRAE, 2009
ASHRAE Handbook: HVAC Systems and Equipment. ASHRAE, 2008
ASHRAE Handbook on HVAC Applications. ASHRAE, 2011
Fundamentals of HVAC Direct Digital Control: Practical Applications and Design, 2nd ed. Frank Shadpour.
Hacienda Blue Publishing, 2001
HVAC Controls and Systems. John Levenhagen and Donald H. Soithmann. McGraw-Hill, 1993
HVAC Equations, Data, and Rules of Thumb, 2nd ed. Arthur Bell. McGraw-Hill, 2008
Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings, 11th edition. Walter Grondzik, et al. Wiley, 2009

Journals

ASHRAE Journal
Consulting-Specifying Engineer

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Engineered Systems Magazine

HPAC Engineering Magazine

Other Print Resources:

Control Systems for Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning, 6th ed. Roger W. Haines. Springer, 2006
Fundamentals of HVAC Control Systems. I-P Edition. Robert McDowall and Ross Montgomery.
ASHRAE, 2010
HVAC Control System Design Diagrams. John Levenhagen. McGraw-Hill, 1998
HVAC Systems Design Book, 5th ed. Roger Haines and Michael Myers. McGraw-Hill, 2009

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