HPAC Engineering - November/December 2024

Women Engineers Rise 12 Chilled Beam Technology 18 AHR Innovation Awards 25 NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2024 www.hpac.com

DISRUPTION AHEAD Industry forecast still positive amid political earthquake. Read more on pg. 8

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Contents

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 Volume 96 • Number 6

COVER STORY:

Despite Fresh Angst, 2025 Forecast Still Bullish Infrastructure and data center projects will drive our industry next year. But new pivots in federal policy could disrupt market momentum by midyear.

By Rob McManamy

8 22 12

FEATURES New ASHRAE group launches with ‘love’, ‘caring’, and inspiration, determined to shake this industry for future generations.

By Rob McManamy

25

18 Chilled Beam Options for Hot and Humid Climates

If carefully calibrated, HVACD system design and control can offer a very viable alternative to traditional systems.

By David Schurk, DES, CEM, LEED AP, CDSM, SFP

25 AHR Expo Announces 2025 Innovation Award Winners

Chosen from hundreds of entries, annual award winners once again have been named in 10 product categories.

BOILER SYSTEMS ENGINEERING 22 Disruptive Ideas Await at ABMA Annual Meeting

Stellar speakers lineup forms as boiler manufacturers’ group sets sights on Savannah smiles this coming January.

2 HPAC ENGINEERING NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

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6 Editor’s Notes

Divided Nation, Focused Industry‑

By Rob McManamy

12 Women

Leaders Rise as One in Chicago

DEPARTMENTS 30 Ad Index 32 Clark’s Remarks

Sustainable Towns Survived Florida Hurricanes

By Larry Clark

HPAC Engineering (USPS Permit 464-930, ISSN 0039-0895 print, ISSN 1930-8957 online) is published 6x a year (Jan/Feb,,Mar/Apr , May/Jun, Jul/ Aug, Sep/Oct, Nov/Dec) by Endeavor Business Media, LLC. 201 N Main St 5th Floor, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to HPAC Engineering, PO Box 3257, Northbrook, IL 60065-3257. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscriptions. Subscription prices: U.S. ($ 111.25); Canada/Mexico ($ 123.75); All other countries ($148.75). All subscriptions are payable in U.S. funds. Send subscription inquiries to HPAC Engineering, PO Box 3257, Northbrook, IL 60065-3257.

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The views and opinions in the articles herein are not to be taken as official expressions of the publishers, unless so stated. The publishers do not warrant either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of the articles herein, nor do they so warrant any views or opinions by the authors of said articles.

Cover photo: ID 341024354 © Vladislav Astanin | Dreamstime.com

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MEMBERS ONLY PODCASTS Fitting Connections, with New ASPE President Bryan Hutton

NEW PODCAST: The barrier-breaking new leader of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers joins us for an inspiring conversation. www.hpac.com/55239932

MEMBERS ONLY WEBINARS Equivalent Clean Airflow and Air Cleaners, Keys to Sustainable IAQ

NOW ON DEMAND: Recorded 11/18, IAQ expert Dr. Bill Bahnfleth explains this revolutionary concept, redefining standards with new air cleaning technologies. www.hpac.com/ 55236601

MEMBERS ONLY EXCLUSIVES

EXECUTIVE TEAM CEO: CHRIS FERRELL COO: PATRICK RAINS CRO: PAUL ANDREWS CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER: JACQUIE NIEMIEC CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL OFFICER: TRACY KANE CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER: AMANDA LANDSAW EVP, GROUP PUBLISHER – BUILDINGS, ENERGY & WATER: MIKE CHRISTIAN

EDITORIAL CONTACTS MIKE EBY Group Editorial Director meby@endeavorb2b.com ROB MCMANAMY Editor-in-Chief rmcmanamy@endeavorb2b.com DAVID ECKHART Art Director deckhart@endeavorb2b.com SALES CONTACTS MIDWEST BILL BOYADJIS 973-829-0648 bboyadjis@endeavorb2b.com SOUTH & WEST RANDY JETER 512-263-7280 • Fax: 913-514-6628 rjeter@endeavorb2b.com EAST BRIAN SACK 732-629-1949 bsack@endeavorb2b.com

NEW eBOOK: The Best of Ken Elovitz, P.E.

An Engineer’s Notebook, 2021-2024. Dive into this collection of useful professional advice, laced with helpful legal acumen. www.hpac.com/ 55020330

HPAC 2024: Our November Quiz!

SAFE DRINKING WATER: This month’s quiz looks at some of the key people, places and events that have figured prominently in keeping society’s most vital liquid flowing to where it’s needed. www.hpac.com/ 55239483

FEELING SOCIAL? Follow us on Twitter at @HPACEng, as well as our sister publications, @Contractormag, and @ContractingBiz. Retweet our up-to-date content, send comments, questions.

Expand your world of engagement with us, at no extra charge!

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EDITORIAL OFFICE 8001 Lincoln Ave. • Suite 720 Skokie, IL 60077 www.hpac.com

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Copyright 2024 Endeavor Business Media, LLC All Rights Reserved

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EDITOR’S NOTES

BY ROB MCMANAMY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Divided Nation, Focused Industry

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD:

“ We are not enemies, but friends.

We must not be enemies.”

—Abraham Lincoln’s first Inaugural Address, February 1861.

William P. Bahnfleth, PhD, PE The Pennsylvania State University

S

ince I live in Illinois, aka “The Land of Lincoln,” it’s hard for me not to think of Mr. Lincoln every November. He delivered the iconic Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, and that came just one week before the first official U.S. celebration of Thanksgiving. Of course, it was Lincoln, himself, who had made Thanksgiving a national holiday only six weeks prior.

Not surprisingly, Lincoln also was in my thoughts earlier this month when I served as a Cook County Election Judge for the U.S. Presidential Election, helping to oversee just one tiny precinct in our nation’s vast network of polling places in all 50 states. Yes, democracy, in all its quirky iterations was on display, and more than 154 million of us citizens participated in one way or another.

In the end, one candidate with 76.8 million votes won and the other with 74.2 million votes lost. All told, the split was 49.9% of the popular vote, besting 48.2%. So if you hear any talk of “mandate” or “landslide,” please feel free to correct the record.

Why does this all matter to the HVACR industry? How does it affect HVAC engineers, designers, builders and suppliers?

Well, I trust most of you already know, but it’s worth reviewing the most obvious factors in play. Tax cuts and deregulation likely will arrive in some form in 2025, which is largely why Wall Street surged in the first week after the election. But beyond that, darker clouds are gathering over the federal role in environmental protection and climate-related sustainability efforts. And tariffs and aggressive immigration deportation policies could suddenly “disrupt” the construction industry in profound ways next year, as discussed in our lead News article (see p. 8).

Still, the train has already left the station on so many of these issues. So even a drastic change in U.S. leadership is not going to

undo all of our industry’s diligent work in recent years to make products that are better for our planet. For instance, A2L refrigerants are still coming, and R-410A refrigerants are still going away. As industry giant Trane explains on its website: “No new system may be installed using HFC refrigerants above the GWP limit after the compliance date (Jan. 1, 2025), even if the components were manufactured prior to that date.”

For some of us, the world may seem completely upended as we enter this holiday season. But for others, it is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to our core values.

“While our political landscape might shift, ASHRAE’s mission to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world remains unchanged,” says ASHRAE President Dennis Knight, in his appearance on our December episode of HPAC On The Air. “Our mission remains rock solid.”

Founded in 1894, ASHRAE is now a truly global society with 50,000 members representing 132 nations. “We will continue to provide technical expertise and guidance based on scientific evidence and our engineering principles,” added Knight. “And I think that’s what we’ll do for the next 130 years, too.”

Taking the long view seems particularly wise in the heat of this chaotic political moment.

Indeed, I am heartened by something I witnessed on Election Day this year at the polls. One of my colleagues was a 17-yearold student judge, an African-American senior at the local high school. He checked in an elderly Polish-American man in his 90s, a Korean War veteran who shared that he, too, had been a student poll watcher… in 1948! Seventy-six years apart!

After the visibly emotional older man had voted, I asked both to pose for a photo.

In their two remarkable faces, I saw all the rocky U.S. history that stretched between them. And their smiles made me smile.

Who am I to doubt what all of us goodhearted citizens can accomplish in this industry, and in this nation, in the uncertain year to come?

B

Glenn Barrett, PE DC Engineering David W. Bearg, PE Life Energy Associates Lawrence (Larry) Clark, QCxP, GGP, LEED AP+ Sustainable Performance Solutions LLC Kenneth M. Elovitz, PE, Esq. Energy Economics Inc. Charles E. Gulledge III, PE, HBDP, LEED AP, FASHRAE Environmental Air Systems LLC Elise Kiland, PE, YEA Critchfield Mechanical Inc. Nancy Kohout, PE, LEED AP SmithGroup Valentine A. Lehr, PE, FASHRAE Lehr Consultants International Ginger Scoggins, PE, CEM, CxA, LEED AP, FASHRAE Engineered Designs Inc. James P. Waltz, PE, CEM, ACFE Energy Resource Associates Inc. Michael K. West, PhD, PE Advantek Consulting

Hi

•9 •1 •R p •E c

Ron Wilkinson, PE, LEED AP Wilkinson Commissioning Management Gerald J. Williams, PE, LEED AP 8760 Engineering LLC

6 HPAC ENGINEERING NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

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NEWS & NOTES

BY ROB MCMANAMY, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Despite Fresh Angst, 2025 Forecast Still Bullish Total Construction Starts $1,500

(Billions of Dollars)

Constant Dollar Growth

$1,200

2023

-6%

2024F

8%

2025F

7%

$900

$600

2% $435

1% $442

2010

2011

12% $493

11% $547

14% $689

11% $606

7% $737

7% $788

4% $818

2017

2018

5% $861

-6% $807

19% $1,117

-3% $1,089

2022

2023

17% $941

8% $1,175

9% $1,277

Dodge Construction Network

Infrastructure and data center projects will drive our industry next year. But new pivots in federal policy could disrupt market momentum by midyear.

$300

$0

E

2012

2013

2014

ven after an election occurs as seemingly momentous as the one the United States just went through this fall, economic forecasting models are still loathe to show any change due to current events.

On the contrary, no matter what, the mathematical input that had been loading all year was still going to shape the highly anticipated annual forecast presented Nov. 14 by the Dodge Construction Network online via a webinar for hundreds of contractors, engineers and architects, and suppliers.

“Over the last year, there’s been a lot weighing on us as we try to make decisions in the course of our strategies here,” conceded Dodge Chief Economist Richard Branch. “But the outlook for contruction next year is pretty positive.”

Even before diving into the data, Branch acknowledged that his optimism was already bolstered by the Nov. 7 decision by the Federal Reserve Board to lower interest rates

2015

2016

2019

2020

by another 25 basis points (bps), bringing the Fed’s total cuts to 75 points since September. Anticipating even another such cut in December, he wrote on LinkedIn, “As we’ve looked at past periods of monetary easing and the impact on construction starts it looks like it’s going to take close to 125 bps of cuts before we start to see more consistent growth in starts.”

Branch said that goal will likely be reached in the First Quarter of 2025 when the Fed makes yet another expected cut. At this point, he expects the Fed will actually lower interest rates by an additional 25 bps in each quarter of the new year.

With all those positive signs gathering, Branch delivered a robust forecast for 2025 that foresees a 9% increase in U.S. construction starts, delivering projects valued at $1.27 trillion across the board. This would come after the U.S. finishes 2024 with an expected annual increase of 8%, bringing the market value of those projects up to $1.17 trillion.

2021

2024

2025

Specifically, Dodge expects infrastructure spending to lead the way in 2025, with a 12.9% increase in project starts for roads and bridges. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will continue to fund spending through 2026, “so I think the new Administration won’t touch IIJA,” said Branch.

The American Council of Engineering Companies concurs.

On Nov. 11, ACEC issued this statement: “The Trump Administration will oversee implementation of the last two years of the IIJA, including the allocation of billions in discretionary grants. Emphasis will shift away from grant criteria focused on climate resilience, sustainability, equity and justice considerations with more focus on traditional road and bridge projects.”

Aside from infrastructure, the Dodge forecast is also upbeat regarding institutional construction, which includes education and healthcare projects. DCN expects to see 4%

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NEWS & NOTES

Bolstered by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, work on roads and bridges should stay strong through 2026.

growth in that overall category in 2025. Similarly, office construction is also projected to climb 5% next year to a value of $68 billion, Branch said. But, he noted, DCN includes data centers in that category, and when they are

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removed from the total, traditional office work is expected to decline next year.

“Still, the 100%, full-remote option for office workers seems to be fewer and far between now, so we’re seeing more of an equilibrium in the hybrid (work) side of the model,” Branch added. “We may not need midtown Manhattans anymore, but (firms) may still need several regional locations around the country.”

Even as ‘power-hungry’ as they are, data center projects will continue to grow. “They are 30-35% of our office category and that share of total is growing aggressively.

Whether it is A.I.-related, or cloud, or cybersecurity backup, or national security, these projects are moving through planning and breaking ground quickly,” he said.

Dodge predicts that data center project starts will grow another 24% in 2025 to hit a total value of $35 billion. And this will come on the heels of a whopping 57% surge in 2024.

Political Considerations

Overall, no matter what sort of curveballs the Trump Administration may bring to the market next year, Branch said it is “unlikely” that any policy decisions will have any significant impact on the contruction market until the second half of 2025.

There is one caveat, though. The new administration’s repeated campaign promises to deport millions of illegal immigrants as soon as possible could cause disruption.

“One third of the U.S. construction workforce is estimated to be foreign-born, and a large chunk of those are undocumented,” noted Branch. “So it remains to be seen how aggressive the new Administration will be.”

Similarly, additionally policy shifts on labor, trade, taxes and the environment, among other categories, all loom large

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now. And they will affect everything from inflation and the supply chain to jobsite safety and both the federal government’s regulatory authority and will.

“Heading into 2025, it’s unclear if prices will remain so well-behaved,” said Anirban Basu, chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). “The next administration’s trade policy increases uncertainty regarding construction materials costs.

Beyond the implications of potential tariffs, input prices may rise in the short term if purchasers rush to import materials prior to the implementation of those policies. As of October, contractors expected their profit margins to expand through the first quarter of 2025, according to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index. That portion of the index will bear close watching as trade policy shifts in the coming months.”

For its part, ACEC issued an advisory to its engineer members on Nov. 20: “We are continuing to deconstruct how both the policies and personalities of this new government might affect issues critical to our industry,” said ACEC President Linda Bauer Darr.

“As to the new Administration, we anticipate Trump 2.0 will bring about broad shifts in the economic and regulatory landscape, particularly environmental regulations.”

After reviewing some of the names floated to lead key departments, ACEC reminded members of these considerations and suggested they plan accordingly. This is the engineering group’s brief to members online:

What Else to Consider:

• The incoming administration plans to reverse Biden’s climate policies, including exiting the Paris Accord and halting new offshore wind projects; • They aim to expedite permits for traditional energy projects and prioritize oil and gas leases;

• Water policy may revert to Trump’s first term policies, redefining Waters of the United States and potentially revisiting PFAS standards.

• A recent court ruling challenged the White House’s authority over environmental reviews, impacting project delivery and NEPA implementation.

What’s Next:

• Federal agencies might need to create standalone NEPA regulations, which could complicate interagency coordination, stall pending regulatory reviews, and make initiatives to streamline the permitting process, like One Federal Decision, more difficult. Info on how this ruling will affect agencies and the engineering industry is still unfolding, and the ACEC advocacy team will be monitoring developments closely over the coming weeks; • In the infrastructure space, the next Trump Administration will take charge of implementing the last two years of the IIJA and will need to work with Congress on what comes after the law expires in 2026; • Much of the unused funding from IIJA is potentially at risk as Trump 2.0 looks to establish its own agenda. But Congress may become the primary driver in developing a new surface transportation program that could become an opportunity for bipartisan cooperation.

ACEC: People Drive Policy

• Regardless of party control, the individuals behind the policies shape the outcomes; • This underscores the importance of relationship building and advocacy in Washington and among the states; • For our part, we’re prepared to be accommodating when it’s possible – and to fight when it’s necessary. That never changes, even when everything else does.

The final portion of this story comes from the ACEC blog, The First Word.

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FEATURE

Women Leaders Rise as One in Chicago New ASHRAE group launches with ‘love’, ‘caring’, and inspiration, determined to shake this industry for future generations.

Some 200 women engineers gathered at the end of September for the inspirational launch of a new ASHRAE subset.

Y

By ROB MCMANAMY, Editor-in-Chief

ou know you’re not just at any first meeting of a new ASHRAE subset when you look around and notice the SRO crowd on hand includes the current Society president, two past presidents, and one president-elect.

And then you realize this is no ordinary engineering meeting, either, when the conference keynote earnestly tells a roomful of professional women, “Our deeds will be the love that we leave behind.”

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Keynote engineer Erin McConahey of Arup said, “Seeing this sign was like a punch in the gut.”

Those are words I’ve never heard in this industry before, I thought.

Thirty minutes later at the coffee break, a veteran engineer from San Diego came up to me, reached out her hand and said, “Thank you for being an ally.” After we shook, I looked around to see maybe four males in a sea of 150 smiling faces. Then it hit me. This was not just a meeting. It was a movement.

And to be honest, as both a reporter and the father of a daughter in her 20s, I was thrilled to be a witness to this moment in industry history.

Having covered dozens and dozens of conferences over the last 35 years, I was truly struck by how unusually personal and motivational the program was. Indeed, the opening sessions of the first-ever Women in ASHRAE Leadership Symposium were just a virtual firehose of inspiration and nurturing solidarity. How so? Well, read on...

Conference keynote Erin McConahey, PE FASHRAE, Principal, ARUP: “We need leaders who are socially cultivated to care,” said McConahey, who

joined Arup in 1995 and holds degrees in both mechanical and structural engineering. She has been a principal at the global engineering giant for 15 years, and now heads its Net Zero Carbon Buildings team, which collects Whole Life Carbon Assessment data on each of the firm’s projects every year.

We need leaders who are socially cultivated to care.

—Erin McConahey, PE, FASHRAE, Principal, Arup

Now Arup’s internal sustainability evangelist and watchdog, McConahey had been the one to propose such a team after having a professional epiphany, she recalled. “One Earth Day on the news, I saw protesters outside the White House holding this sign,” she said, calling up a slide showing people behind a banner reading OCCUPY EARTH. “That sign was like a punch

in the gut. I realized I had carbon on my hands, too.”

Since then, McConahey has been on a mission, and she has come to realize that invariably young women engineers seem to be more receptive to her message. But too many are still too hesitant to lead, she has found. Too many young women have been conditioned to doubt themselves and to avoid making waves in an overwhelmingly maledominated industry.

“It’s not quite the impostor syndrome, but we have convinced ourselves that we are too small to make a difference,” she added. “But I eventually realized that I did not have to be any bigger.

I just had to be big-hearted. After all, what is it that drives people? Love. What do you love deeply enough that it will cause you to mobilize all your talents?”

And such mobilization in service to that passion is inherently unselfish, she added. “Some people choose to gain power to hold it over others,” McConahey said, clearly hinting at current politics. “Some people gain power to give it away.”

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FEATURE

Y

“The goal was 200 registrants,” noted ASHRAE event chair Nancy Kohout. “We got 240.”

That sharing leads to greater collaboration and better decisions that the whole team can buy into, she added.

Then McConahey escalated her call to arms.

“Your opportunity for transformational leadership is here. We all have the opportunity to change the future, but the future is calling us to act now,” she said. “The future is calling... Do you hear it?”

Once again stressing the urgency needed to act on climate change, despite the daunting enormity of the global challenge, McConahey added, “There is still hope because of people like us... Our deeds will be the love that we leave behind. We need your leadership now.”

Symposium attendees included current ASHRAE President M. Dennis Knight, Immediate Past President Ginger Scoggins, President-Elect Bill McQuade, and 2018-19 President Sheila Hayter. Event Chair Nancy Kohout, President-Elect of the Illinois ASHRAE chapter, kicked off the two-day event at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel in downtown Chicago.

“The goal was 200 registrants,” said Kohout with a smile. “We got 240.”

Confidence & Competence

This session was led by Julia Keen, PE, PhD, HBDP, Fellow Member, Kansas State University; and Jennifer Leach, PE, LEED AP; BR+A Consulting Engineers, Vienna, VA. “I had a young woman in one of my classes who said in a self-evaluation that she lacked confidence,” recalled Dr. Keen. “Really? I thought. Every

Men assume that women leave to have families, but it’s not true.

—Julia Keen, PE, PhD, Kansas State University

situation that I had seen her in, she communicated as a leader. But then I came to realize that was only when she was among other women. Among men, she acted differently.”

Indeed, from childhood, Dr. Keen added, the ingrained behavior patterns between the genders still shapes so much of how we act as adults, even among professional engineers. One

example is when young women, often the only female in the room collaborating on a project, unwittingly engage in “self-sabotage talk” while offering suggestions. Such language might include opening phrases like, “This might be a really bad idea, but...” or “I’m not the best at math, but...” or “I’m no expert at this, but...”

Asked Dr. Keen, “Who is going to put any value on what comes next after a statement like that? You need to embrace your abilities and your contributions.”

Added consulting engineer Leach, “You have to believe that you have value. We need you to change the culture of this profession.”

Echoing McConahey’s earlier words, Leach added that women have a built-in attribute that they just need to find the confidence to use. “We are genetically programmed to take care of people.”

Toward that end, she and Dr. Keen both said that women need to take care of themselves, too.

And that can mean deciding to leave toxic work environments, rather than trying to stick things out in hopes of change. “Why keep fighting and feeling unhappy every day?” she asked.

M

*

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FEATURE

Engineers Dr. Julie Keen (left) and Jennifer Leach spoke to a packed house on confidence and competence.

“And it is isolation, not sexual harassment, that more often causes the greatest distress. It can be like water torture, one drip at a time, that slowly makes some jobs intolerable.”

Ironically, when young women do finally leave such jobs, it often helps to feed the stereotype that they are leaving to start a family. And that popular but misleading narrative invariably leads employers to the conclusion that young women can’t be relied upon in leadership roles.

“Men assume that women leave to have families, but it’s not true,” said Dr. Keen.

In reality, young women engineers are just smarter now about leaving when the fit is not right and their path to advancement is blocked. “Don’t stay at a place where you don’t want to be. It will seal your future,” she added.

“Culture, culture, culture,” said Leach. “It’s finally changing, primarily because young men in our industry now want it to change, too.”

And for those women who actually do “leave” to have families, their absence is often temporary. In fact, many of the women leaders in attendance have

their own children, including Symposium Chair Kohout, who has four, and Past President Scoggins, who has three.

Importance of Mentors, Allies

Those young men and older dad-types, can make a huge difference. “Male allies at work are very important,” said Leach.

plate and label you as less proficient in that area of practice.

Past presidents Hayter and Scoggins both rose to echo the call for more mentors. Scoggins talked about the experience years ago of seeing some women on projects who might bristle in a conference or planning room when another woman walked in. That reaction suggests that the woman already at

We have to come to the leadership table with an attitude of abundance. We need to welcome other women to that table.

—Ginger Scoggins, PE, ASHRAE Immediate Past President

Added Dr. Keen, “We all really need three mentors at our jobs -- the technical mentor (for engineering questions); the ethical mentor; and the workplace mentor.”

But they can’t all be the same person because, for instance, you don’t necessarily want to confide in your manager about some anxiety or nervousness regarding a task. That could just cause your manager to take that task off your

the table is afraid there is only enough room for one woman there.

“So we have to come to the leadership table with an attitude of abundance,” she said. “We need to welcome other women to that table.”

Indeed, as I left the symposium’s first day of sessions, I definitely had the sense that our industry’s leadership table was now set to grow... soon and exponentially.

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FEATURE

Chilled Beam Options for

HOT AND HUMID CLIMATES Courtesy of Innovative Air Technologies

If carefully calibrated, HVACD system design and control can offer a very viable alternative to traditional systems.

Nozzles

Primary Airflow

Induced Airflow

Airflow of an active chilled beam

By DAVID SCHURK, DES, CEM, LEED AP, CDSM, SFP

C

hilled beam technology is often misunderstood as unsuitable for hot and humid climates.

However, with careful design and control, chilled beams are a viable alternative to traditional HVAC systems in these environments. This article provides an overview of chilled beam applications

with methods to ensure their efficient and effective operation. It will also discuss potential first-cost and energy savings, as well as strategies for optimizing system performance.

Concepts and Benefits

Chilled beam systems use water as well as air to transport thermal energy throughout a building. The chilled beam includes a hydronic coil which provides sensible heating or cooling to the space. Either 2-pipe or

4-pipe designs are available. The benefit of the 4-pipe configuration is that some zones can receive cold water for space cooling while other zones simultaneously receive hot water for space heating.

Chilled beams come in both active and passive configurations.

Both require the building ventilation and latent loads be decoupled and addressed separately. This is typically accomplished by a dedicated outdoor air unit (DOAS) which dehumidifies

Based in Covington GA, the author is a senior manager at Innovative Air Technologies and an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and Instructor for the Society’s Humidity Control I & II professional development training courses. He can be reached at 920-530-7677 or david@dehumidifiers.com.

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Courtesy of Innovative Air Technologies

the required quantity of ventilation (primary) air. This dry, conditioned air is then provided to the space to handle these loads, as well as offsetting some of the space sensible load.

When conditioned primary air is supplied directly to the chilled beam itself, the device is called an “active” chilled beam (ACB). The primary air travels through nozzles in the beam where its velocity is increased, inducing additional room air through the beams coil. This induced air mixes with the primary air and is discharged back into the space through slots along the beam.

Passive chilled beams (PCB) are not directly supplied with primary air and rely completely on natural convection to provide their sensible capacity. They will not be specifically addressed in this article as they have limited application in hot and humid climates, although they can be used when needed to supplement a load requirement where an active beam falls short.

Chilled beams are ideal for applications with high internal sensible cooling loads and should be installed where the tightness of the building envelope is adequate to prevent excessive moisture transfer from outdoors. Space moisture gains due to occupancy and/or processes should also be moderate.

Light fixture

Design Values for Active Chilled Beam Systems Room Temperature Water Temperature, Cooling Water Temperature, Heating Cooling Capacity Heating Capacity Ventilation Capacity Primary Air Temperature Inlet Static Pressure

74F-78F summer, 68F-72F winter 55F to 58F EWT, 5F-8F rise 110F-130F EWT, 10F-20F drop Up to 1,000 Btu/h/ft Up to 1,500 Btu/h/ft 5-30 cfm/ft 50F-65F 0.2 in.wg to 1.0 in.wg.

Successful installations of chilled beam systems have included these applications, regardless of local climate: • K-12 and post-secondary educational facilities; • Office buildings; • Data centers; • Sensible load-driven laboratories; • Hospital patient rooms; • Retrofit of existing “Induction Unit” installations (circa 1950-1970).

Energy Efficiency

Chilled beams are considered to be a “decoupled” system design because, as mentioned, the hydronic-based chilled beam devices are integrated with a separate DOAS unit which provides conditioned primary ventilation air to the beams. With this design concept, the following opportunities for improvements in first cost, energy consumption, space control, and maintenance may be achieved:

Indoor Air Quality

Air delivered through the beam at ratios of 1-part primary and 2-4 parts (induced) room air increase air-change rates and promotes mixing of the space and ventilation air. Chilled beam

Suspended ceiling

Multiservice Chilled Beams

VAV with Fan Terminals 13’-0”

Water’s superior heat transport properties allow chilled beam systems to use less energy than traditional HVACD systems. Active chilled beam systems may require up to 60%-70% less primary airflow than conventional variable air volume (VAV) systems, leading to significant fan energy savings. With chilled water temperatures typically between 58°F-60°F (14°C-16°C), the chilled water system benefits from reduced compressor lift, increased chiller capacity, and greater efficiency (increased operational hours) of any water-side economizers.

10’-6”

10’-0”

8’-6”

9’-0”

In tighter building envelopes, chilled beams are ideal for applications with high internal sensible cooling loads.

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FEATURE on chilled ceiling panels (the chilled beam’s predecessor), with findings that concluded the formation of condensation in environments with chilled ceilings is a slow process and one that can be avoided by sound design and control.

The Role of Mechanical Dehumidification

Solid Dessicant Dehumidifier (Courtesy of Innovative Air Technologies)

systems can be supplied with 100% outdoor air (to satisfy ventilation requirements) which could then be directly exhausted, eliminating pollutants that would otherwise be transported through return ductwork or between air distribution zones. This may lead to improved IAQ and thermal comfort.

Acoustics

As chilled beams use no internal fans; they minimize noise generation compared to traditional systems. With proper design, sound levels can easily be kept below 40 NC (Noise Criterion).

Reduced First-Cost and Space Requirements

Chilled beams require less air transport infrastructure, reducing overall HVACD system size and cost. This compact design can also reduce interstitial space height and floor-to-floor dimensions, while reducing building material use. Alternatively, finished ceiling heights could be increased for aesthetic purposes.

Maintenance Cost Savings

Chilled beams are sensible cooling devices and when controlled properly will not promote the formation of liquid condensate which can lead to dripping, bacterial, and mold growth. They do not require drain pans or condensates lines eliminating the need for periodic cleaning (although some manufacturers do offer a drip-tray option). They do not

contain fans or filters to maintain and require only simple periodic service including occasional vacuuming of the dry hydronic coil.

Considerations in Hot and Humid Climates

Humidity becomes an issue if the surface temperature of any chilled beam cooling coil, unit panel, or exposed chilled water pipe drops below the surrounding air’s local dew-point temperature. When this occurs, there is a certainty of condensation forming.

This is addressed by the primary air system which supplies dry air to the beam to handle the internal space latent and external ventilation loads, while limiting the indoor dew-point temperature, typically below 55°F. Chilled water, supplied to the beam to handle space sensible loads, should be provided at temperatures above the surrounding beam dew-point so as not to promote the formation of condensate.

Chilled water temperatures are typically delivered at 58°F-60°F and when properly controlled will keep beam surface temperatures elevated above the local dew-point without incidence of condensation. Some designers will ensure the space dew-point temperature always remains at least 5°F-7°F below the coldest temperature of any system components surface.

Penn State Prof. Stan Mumma, PhD., P.E., and Fellow ASHRAE (2002), performed various studies

Precise space dehumidification is crucial in ensuring the proper operation of chilled beams in hot and humid climates. Incorporating properly sized direct expansion (DX), chilled water, or solid desiccant dehumidifiers into the dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) can effectively reduce the space’s latent load by providing exceptionally dry air.

This minimizes condensation risk on chilled beams, especially in overhead applications where moisture buildup can lead to significant operational issues, including water dripping from the beams into the space below.

Control Strategies

Primary air flow can be regulated by a volume flow limiter (VFL), which ensures the correct air volume reaches each beam. For room temperature control, chilled water flow is adjusted based on thermostat signals.

Modulating the chilled water flow typically produces a 7°F-8°F (4°C-5°C) variation in air temperature, which is often sufficient for most spaces, except those with large, fluctuating loads.

In situations where space humidity rises above design parameters, adjusting chilled water supply temperature or reducing flow to the beam can help mitigate the risk of condensation.

However, these strategies should be used cautiously in humid climates to avoid thermal discomfort. As long as the space dew point temperature can be maintained within a reasonable range (+/- 2°F) and the chilled water supply temperature is at (or above) this value, condensation will be avoided on chilled beam surfaces.

Preventing the formation of condensate on chilled beam surfaces

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Monitoring & Measurement

Maintaining local dew-point temperature may be the single most crucial factor in ensuring trouble free operation. Facility managers need to know

Space dew point temperature

Chilled Water Valve

Courtesy of Innovative Air Technologies

Space dry bulb temperature

Controller

Maintaining local dew-point temperature is crucial to trouble-free operation.

at a glance whether or not they are maintaining critical space conditions in their buildings. By programming space sensor readings into a building automation system, a facility manager can easily generate a “response for action” alarm should program setpoints be out of compliance.

It is vital to be proactive to potential humidity issues which will result in the loss of space control should an unacceptable condition be detected.

Immediate action must be taken in order to remedy the situation before it becomes a problem.

Implementation: The key to a successful chilled beam installation starts with a design that provides fulfillment of the buildings heating and cooling needs. Detailed analysis of sensible and (particularly) latent loads tied to internal sources, ventilation, and infiltration must result in equipment and transport systems that are sized and installed to handle loads so proper environmental set points can be maintained.

The BAS system and control strategy implemented must result in a system that will achieve the HVAC design intent. Measurement and verification will ensure trouble free operation and that the building achieves optimum environmental comfort and energy performance.

Courtesy of Innovative Air Technologies

must be addressed, especially in hot and humid climates. Proper system design combined with measurement and control of space humidity will help ensure satisfactory performance. The following will discuss a few of the more common control strategies used to help make sure requirements are met.

Monitor Local Temperature and Dewpoint: The use of a highquality space mounted temperature and relative humidity sensor can provide great results. It is important to measure humidity where the risk of condensation is highest. Responsiveness to local humidity spikes is a key requirement that goes into the selection and placement of these sensors. It is also advisable to provide additional dew point or humidity monitoring throughout the building in case any local sensor fails. All sensors must remain easily accessible and be recalibrated on occasion.

Monitor Moisture on CHWS Pipe: A sensor can be installed which will read the coldest chilled water piping location in the zone. This allows for the detection of condensation directly at its “worst case” location. When moisture is detected the zone water flow can be shut off and will not be restored until the moisture has been evaporated. This can also signal an increase in primary airflow to assist in returning the space to acceptable humidity conditions.

Monitor Outdoor Conditions: In certain situations, it may be acceptable to base control actions on indoor and outdoor air temperature and humidity.

Knowing these values, along with the latent load in the building (when infiltration is predictable) allows the BAS to calculate the condensate potential.

This is not an option recommended in hot and humid climates as primary control is not based on actual space measurements.

Chilled beams may require slightly more upfront design consideration than other more traditional HVAC systems, but as long as important details are not overlooked, they can be successfully applied in any climate. Superior performance comes from combining the experience and expertise of all parties involved in the building’s design, operation, and maintenance.

Sources

• TROX Chilled Beam Design Guide, TB012309 (2000); • Chilled ceilings, addressing the concerns of condensation, Mumma, SA 5. ASHRAE IAQ Applications/Fall 2003; • Price Engineers HVAC Handbook (2002); • DADANCO, Breathing Life into Your Buildings, CM10 (2020).

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BOILER SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Disruptive Ideas Await at ABMA Annual Meeting ABMA

Stellar speakers lineup forms as boiler manufacturers’ group sets sights on Savannah smiles this coming January.

T

he American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) will convene its 2025 Annual Meeting, January 17-20, at the JW Marriott Hotel, Plant Riverside District, in Savannah, GA. There, attendees will be treated to an impressive lineup of compelling presenters focused on helping members grow their business and ready themselves for the challenges ahead.

After the disruptive U.S. election this fall, the conference keynote choice now looks even more appropriate.

Sheryl Connelly, a leading futurist and global consumer trends expert, will open the annual meeting with Disruption Is Inevitable... Is Your Business Ready?

The former chief futurist for Ford Motor Company, Connelly will present her proven framework for how anyone at any level of an organization can think like a futurist. In this captivating session, she will share her expertise on how leaders and teams can anticipate trends, identify opportunities, and navigate uncertainty as they work to position their organizations for long-term success.

Groups will learn to embrace a futurist mindset — gaining insights into strategic foresight, scenario planning, and the art of connecting seemingly disparate dots to create incredible breakthroughs. Perhaps now more than ever, business leaders, innovators, and decision-makers should prepare to adopt a futurist lens to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

For those focused on the nearer term, economist Connor Lokar, a senior forecaster with ITR Economics, will return to the ABMA stage for a market-by-market breakdown as

part of his Economic Outlook for 2025 and Beyond. Based in Manchester NH, Lokar is now in his 10th year with ITR, where he specializes in economic modeling and strategic planning. His skills are most prized in the current environment. At press time, these speakers had also confirmed for the following sessions: • “Overview of Hydrogen Blending Certification for Boilers” Travis Hardin, UL Solutions; • “Workforce Development Opportunities in the Military Community” Hire Our Heroes, US Chamber of Commerce Foundation; • “How Effective Boiler Training Creates Lasting Customers” Jonathan Kapel, Steamworks; • “The Evolution of Hydrogen – Sourcing, Supply & Opportunities” Timothy Lebrecht, Air Products; • “AI in Manufacturing: Identifying Strategies & Creating Adoption” Chris Stephenson, Alliant Group; • “Creating a Safer Boiler Room: Lessons Learned” Adam Henson, U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB); • “Trends & Challenges in the Rental Sector: Panel Discussion” Steve Taylor, WARE, Jim Lieskovan, Nationwide Boiler, Michael Pfeiler, Wabash Power; • “Transitioning Generational Ownership: Finding the Right Path” Chase Hoover, Acuity Advisors.

For more information about ABMA’s Annual Meeting, including complete details on travel and accommodations, go to www.abma.com/annual-meeting.

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INNOVATION AWARDS

AHR Expo Announces 2025 Innovation Award Winners Chosen from hundreds of entries, annual award winners once again have been named in 10 product categories.

T

he AHR Expo (International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition) this fall named the winners of the 2025 AHR Expo Innovation Awards. Winners are chosen annually in 10 industry categories, representing the most innovative products and technologies in the market.

“To be recognized as an award winner is a true honor within our industry,” said Show Manager, Mark Stevens. “We are thrilled to highlight the dedication of manufacturers and team members as they work to create real solutions.

The Innovation Awards aim to highlight these companies, professionals and their innovation trajectory and to celebrate those that are pushing the bar.”

The annual program draws hundreds of manufacturers to enter breakthrough designs for new and never-beforeseen solutions or improvements upon existing products and technologies. All entries are reviewed and selected by a panel of third-party judges, made up of distinguished ASHRAE members. Evaluations are based on overall innovative design, creativity of the product or service offered, product or technology real-world application, as well as overall potential market impact.

“The continued growth of the awards program is an encouraging indication that manufacturers are responding to problems with creative solutions,” continued Stevens.

“Moreover, the winning innovations must satisfy a range of factors, such as affordability, energy consumption, compliance, and production efficiency, while also addressing performance gaps in products and technology. Congratulations to all our 2025 winners!”

In addition to celebrating innovation in HVACR, the Innovation Awards provide a means to strengthen the industry by allowing for the AHR Expo Workforce Development program, which aims to grow the industry through programming geared to inspire future members of the HVACR community.

Funds collected from the entry fees are donated to programming at the student level, including show field trips, curated introductions to professionals and manufacturers, laboratory equipment and monetary donation to student programs in the hosting city. Learn more about workforce development on ahrexpo.com.

The winners of the 2025 AHR Expo Innovations Awards are the following:

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Winner: Senva Inc. Innovation: TotalSense Indoor Air Quality Sensor AHR Booth: 581 The most configurable air quality sensor available with any combination of 10 sensors including Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), relative humidity (RH), temperature, occupancy detection (PIR), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), Ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM), barometric pressure and ambient light.

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INNOVATION AWARDS PLUMBING

Winner: Grundfos Innovation: Grundfos ALPHA HWR AHR Booth: 1808 The first high-efficiency, digitally connected circulator for domestic hot water recirculation systems is the most efficient circulator available, with a best-in-class energy rating of 215 from the Hydraulic Institute. Achieves advanced comfort with maximum water and energy savings.

HEATING

Winner: AERCO, A Watts Water Company Innovation: AERCO CFR AHR Booth: 743 CFR is the world’s first stainless steel condensing boiler that can be installed in a Category I vent, making it an ideal solution for the commercial retrofit market. It delivers energy savings, reliable performance, and cost-saving installation flexibility in a compact footprint to cost-effectively comply with local energy mandates.

BUILDING AUTOMATION Winner: Distech Controls Innovation: Eclypse Facilities AHR Booth: 781

Eclypse Facilities is a game-changer for system integrators, equipment manufacturers and leading digital partners who can leverage unparalleled openness and interoperability with Eclypse controllers to deliver advanced digital services. Buildings implementing Eclypse ensure the highest occupant satisfaction, equipment performance and minimal operational costs to maintain the highest asset value.

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SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

SOFTWARE

Winner: LG Electronics U.S.A. Inc. Innovation: LG Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump AHR Booth: 6643 Conventional heat pumps suffer significant degradation in performance when confronted with temperatures below 0°F (-17.8°C), making them less reliable and efficient in cold climate regions. New heat pump products such as this innovation from LG have been developed to combat cold climate challenges, operating down to -31°F (-35°C).

COOLING

Winner: Radiant Professionals Alliance Innovation: Building Efficiency System ToolTM 6.2 (BEST 6.2) AHR Booth: 2175 The Radiant Professionals Alliance’s (RPA) free interactive Building Efficiency System ToolTM 6.2 (BEST 6.2), revolutionizes HVAC system efficiency comparison.

BEST Software is held by Taco (which has control over the content and function thereof). The Software is copyrighted and protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provisions.

Winner: Climate Control Group Innovation: EnviroKITTM AHR Booth: 3927 The EnviroKITTM is a quick, simple, and budget-friendly solution for restoring vertical stack fan coil unit performance.

Sustainably replace aging components in just a few hours per room without drywall demolition. Ideal for the hospitality industry, this kitted solution improves cooling performance of fan coils with minimal room downtime.

TOOLS & INSTRUMENTS Winner: PassiveLogic Innovation: PassiveLogic Sense Nano AHR Booth: 1191, 1391

The Sense Nano is the first truly wireless sensor — communicating via Bluetooth mesh, while extracting its operating energy from the surrounding environment.

Goodbye, battery replacements. Installing in 15 seconds, it fits in the palm of your hand. And it packs a punch with seven sensors inside a 45mm diameter ring.

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“

INNOVATION AWARDS

REFRIGERATION

Winner: Danfoss Innovation: Danfoss BOCK HGX56 CO2 T AHR Booth: 1301 Danfoss BOCK HGX56 CO2 T is a transcritical 6-cylinder CO2 compressor with expanded range to enable larger refrigeration and heat pump applications with a smaller footprint, and strong energy-efficient performance.

VENTILATION

Winner: Rosenburg USA, Inc. Innovation: Rosenberg I-Series Backward Curved Fans AHR Booth: 5751 Rosenberg has developed 23 models of I-Series fans, ranging from 355MM to 630MM. The high-efficiency, high-volume I-impeller features five backward-curved, hollow-profiled, airfoil section aluminum blades, with efficiency-optimized circumferential diffusers. The new impeller can increase efficiencies up to 11%, while reducing noise levels by more than half compared to older impellers.

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FEBRUARY 10-12, 2025

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CLARK’S REMARKS

BY LARRY CLARK, SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE SOLUTIONS LLC

Sustainable Towns Survived Florida Hurricanes Solar-powered Babcock Ranch and Hunters Point each became a refuge for evacuees this fall as Hurricanes Helene and Milton raged.

I

Larry Clark

A regular contributor to HPAC Engineering and a member of its editorial advisory board since 2012, the author is a principal at Sustainable Performance Solutions LLC, a south Florida-based engineering firm focusing on energy and sustainability.

Email him at larry@ sustainflorida.com.

n 2018, I wrote about Florida’s Babcock Ranch, at the time a relatively new community being billed as “the world’s first solar-powered town.”

Located on Florida’s west coast, Babcock Ranch was being developed as a sustainable – and hurricane-resistant – community on 18,000 acres of a former ranch, of which 9,000 acres were to be preserved as green space. To avoid storm surge during a hurricane, the town was located inland, approximately 15 miles northeast of Fort Myers.

And since electric power, whether from the grid or the nearby solar farm, needs infrastructure to deliver it, all of Babcock Ranch’s power lines were built underground to protect them from windstorms. Large retainage ponds were also built and the streets were designed to absorb floodwater.

Since the town was in its very early stages of development in 2018, I thought a return visit, four years later, might be in order. During that visit, I learned that the handful of residents when I first visited had grown to a population of nearly 6,000. Not surprisingly, one of the residents is Syd Kittson, the developer of Babcock Ranch (some of you may remember him as a lineman with the NFL’s Packers and Cowboys in the 1980s). Kittson has a home there and is in residence several days a week.

Much more surprising is the fact the number of his neighbors at Babcock Ranch actually doubled during the pandemic!

Toughest Test to Date

The sustainability of Babcock Ranch was undeniable from the start, but the hurricane resistance had yet to be proven. Several months after my second visit, that test came in the form of Hurricane Ian. Since the homes were constructed to exceed hurricane codes, most residents opted to not evacuate, and the community experienced virtually no damage: a few street signs and trees were knocked down by the 100 mph winds, but the town never lost power and all of the roofs were still there.

But then came Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which wreaked epic damage across the Southeast

this fall. They prompted me to check back in with Babcock Ranch to see how it had fared.

Although the Fort Myers area did not take a direct hit from Hurricane Helene, there was storm surge, flooding, sand on the roads, and power outages, none of which affected Babcock Ranch. Hurricane Milton was a different story.

Coming just two weeks later, it made landfall approximately 80 miles north of Fort Myers and the storm surge caused major flooding and pushed a lot more sand off of the beach.

Many Fort Myers residents, who were under an evacuation order, actually sought safety at Babcock Ranch. In fact, more than 2,000 people sheltered in the community’s school and sports facility, with hundreds more finding refuge in private homes after Gov. Ron DeSantis had announced that the town was opening its doors to evacuees.

Although thousands of Fort Myers residences lost power, the lights stayed on in Babcock Ranch. Reported damage there included some downed trees, traffic lights, and the sunshades over the EV charging stations.

But Babcock Ranch isn’t the only sustainable community in Florida to survive unscathed.

Hunters Point, located nearly 100 miles north of Babcock Ranch and nearly an hour south of Tampa Bay, had solar-powered batteries still operating its 31 luxury homes four days after the storm hit. Power to virtually everyone else in the entire region was knocked out.

When I heard about Hunters Point’s success, I reached out to local leaders and learned it is the first single-family, net-zero community in the U.S. All of its homes are powered by solar PV and have battery storage systems. Its high-end homes are built 16 feet above sea level and are constructed of sustainable materials.

Look for a more in-depth profile of Hunters Point after I have a chance to visit… but not until the end of the Atlantic hurricane season!

In the meantime, it may be appropriate for us to start thinking of sustainability not just in terms of saving energy, but also saving lives.

L L I 2

H M

H

O un fo Ea th AS ex H Ed ju fe m

32 HPAC ENGINEERING NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

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