In this age, there is no justification for using a closed controls environment.
Most of our mechanical design and build work involves retrofitting existing facilities with customized systems that require nuanced energy and data management. As you would expect, sophisticated digital controls are an essential facet of every project. Unfortunately, the cost and ease with which controls can be added to an existing mechanical framework varies greatly—from being “a piece of cake” to you may as well “fuhgeddaboudit.”
It all comes down to whether your existing controls were built within a proprietary system that you’re locked into, or open customizable controls architecture that can be modified easily. We’ve seen numerous closed architecture systems jettisoned because even modest changes carried an exorbitant cost.
In this age, there is no justification for using a closed controls environment, unless you have a thing for pain, frustration, and paying more than necessary.
- First and foremost, with open architecture, the flexibility to add, subtract, and combine entirely different plant systems and functionality is almost limitless. Imagine a robust Building Management System in which you can bring all plant systems into a common portal, with separate screens for each mechanical system – chillers, HVAC, compressors, cooling towers, boilers, hydraulics, vacuum, etc.
- In an “open” environment, you’re also not locked into who can work on your controls system. Multiple qualified vendors can access and update open controls systems as needed. Of course, this is a huge advantage if your facility intends to expand or update mechanical systems in the future.
- Open systems allow you to incorporate the most modern energy-saving features, such as the sequencing of equipment and automated shutoffs to match production demand.
- You may not even need an on-site visit to update your controls. Modifications to open systems can be made by on-staff IT personnel trained in the software.
Don’t get left holding the bag. In our experience, every customer who suffers with a proprietary controls system eventually comes around to wishing they had open architecture.
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[ctct form="1828" show_title="false"]Complimentary Energy Efficiency Evaluation
SPECIAL OFFER
Learn about how our scientific approach to sustainable mechanical engineering will take your facility into a future of ultra efficiency.
Our engineers will dramatically improve your plant efficiency and help you take advantage of utility company rebates to cover a portion of the cost.
Through a combination of generous utility company rebates and IMEC’s high-efficiency engineering solutions, you’ll realize the benefits of streamlined mechanical systems that produce huge annual power savings.
We recently completed a project that is saving a customer over $1,100,000, annually.
Even if you don’t think you need a new mechanical system, it’s likely that we will discover a facet of your facility’s efficiency that can be improved dramatically. As an Authorized National Grid Project Expeditor, we also manage the utility rebate process for you.
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- Plant walkthrough
- Identification of energy-saving projects
- Estimated ROI / Payback time
- Projected utility company rebates
An IMEC sales engineer will contact you to arrange a Complimentary Energy Consultation and Systems Evaluation.
