Approach

Envari installed an electric boiler in the mechanical room. Controlled by a price-dispatch signal, the boiler runs when the hourly electricity price falls below that of natural gas. It’s a sensible, incremental way to cut carbon and energy costs by periodically fuel-switching.

It was important, however, not to modify the physical infrastructure or control logic with the existing boiler plant; this is a critical City building, so the new boiler had to be supplemental to provide peace of mind to the operations staff and property manager.

The electric boiler was strategically placed upstream from the gas boilers and configured to provide hotter water.

As this hotter water runs through the hydronic loop and passes the gas boilers, they’re tricked into thinking the building doesn’t need heat. It keeps them from turning on when they shouldn’t be operating.