EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems, a licensed commercial HVAC contractor offering HVAC maintenance and services, BAS, commercial refrigeration repair and chiller services, has used energy-efficient variable speed, oil-free, magnetic-bearing technology in a variety of retrofit applications, including the MacArthur Plaza commercial office building in Irvine. To combat increasing maintenance and energy costs in the nine-story, 154,530-sq-ft structure, Mesa Energy Systems replaced 400 tons of existing reciprocating compressors with six oil-free centrifugal compressors. In addition to boosting the HVAC system’s cooling capacity to 500 tons, the solution also provided the flexibility to operate efficiently at loads ranging from 50 to 500 tons. Danfoss says the new system dramatically reduced energy consumption, resulting in the building owner reporting energy savings, a shortened payback period, and the acquisition of utility incentives. The system design and implementation also won the ASHRAE Southern California Technological Design Award.

Mesa Energy Systems also has experienced similar success in other retrofit projects using energy-efficient variable speed, oil-free, magnetic-bearing technology, including in a data center for a worldwide telecommunications provider that included the installation of eight 300-ton air-cooled chillers using oil-free centrifugal compressors. In combination with new chilled water pumps, flow meters and DDC controls, the data center reported substantial energy savings and utility incentives, which they cited as contributing to a payback period of less than three years.

“These examples reflect EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems’ winning approach to energy efficiency, especially in the retrofit market,” said Lisa Tryson, director of corporate communications for Danfoss. “They prove that, when properly applied, innovative technology can breathe new, more energy-efficient and cost-effective life into old buildings and produce impressive results.”

 “We are pleased to recognize EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems with the EnVisioneer of the Year award,” said John Galyen, president of Danfoss North America. “The first contractor to receive this award, Mesa consistently demonstrates the ability to retrofit buildings with principles that align with our global 'Engineering Tomorrow' commitment — delivering quality, reliability, and innovation and helping customers prepare to meet future climate and energy regulations. The work they do, including that using innovative and energy-efficient variable speed, oil-free, magnetic-bearing technology, and the energy savings clients report their work achieves contribute to significant reductions in utility bills and shorter payback periods for EMCOR customers.”

The EnVisioneer of the Year competition is judged and the winner is chosen by an independent third party.