Through SEA’s energy consulting practices and engineering services, our cross-functional team of professional engineers and licensed architects evaluate infrastructure reliability for critical facility requirements. Acting on behalf of the owner, our approach ensures facilities are operating at peak performance, whether it’s a newly constructed building or aging infrastructure.
, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative“The value the SEA team brought to our project was undeniable. SEA integrated seamlessly with our staff, the architects, engineers and contractors in order to achieve a successful, fully operational and accurate project. Their ability to work with everyone, troubleshoot and speak in ways that the entire team could understand while acting on the owner’s behalf was invaluable.”
Core Engineering Solutions
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Engineering
Our team of licensed engineers with mechanical expertise combined with our energy knowledge will consult on your designs to ensure your facility is operating efficiently and sustainably. Through SEA’s energy consulting practices, our cross functional team of professional engineers and licensed architects evaluate infrastructure reliability for critical facility requirements. Acting on behalf of the owner, our approach ensures facilities are operating at peak performance, wither it’s a newly constructed building or aging infrastructure. Many of our engineers are also Certified Energy Managers, and they represent a variety of engineering tasks, from mechanical to electrical. They are also licensed Commissioning Authorities (CxA) and Commissioning Providers (CxP).
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Commissioning
SEA provides new construction and retro commissioning services to ensure proper building performance. As an integral component of a facility’s lifecycle, SEA’s commissioning processes ensure proper performance. Our strong commissioning expertise is founded in our team’s knowledge for applying industry standard commissioning practices across system design with innovative troubleshooting, quality assurance, attention to detail and unprecedented guidance for training facility teams in lifecycle Operations and Maintenance (O&M). We work to effectively and affordably identify and solve building systems issues at each phase of the building’s lifecycle, from new construction to renovation, many times with no and low cost solutions that our teams can implement themselves.
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Building Optimization
Developing an efficient facility is what we do. We assist building owners in achieving capital cost avoidance, optimized energy use, and reduced maintenance costs all while ensuring occupant comfort and maintaining the quality of indoor air. Today’s buildings are complex and have interdependent systems with sophisticated controls. Even a small operational problem can greatly disrupt a building’s performance. Optimizing a building’s energy consumption requires an approach that allows devices and systems to function together in an efficient and cost-effective way to meet occupant requirements and expectations. Building optimization combines a number of sustainable strategies that are used to examine and perpetually address elements of existing buildings that can be optimized without the need for heavy capital investment. ROI of 25% to 50% and savings of 15% to 45% are reasonable expectations.
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Building Automation Services
Building automation systems control various components within a building’s structure, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). Our licensed team of professional engineers will improve system efficiency, reduce costs and increase occupant comfort with automated building energy management systems. Because SEA is brand agnostic – we will work with finding and recommending the best solution that will contribute to energy savings. We work with all four types of control systems, including belief, boundary, diagnostic and interactive. Our engineers specialize in control systems, including output, behavioral and clan control. We understand that different organizations will emphasize different needs – and we deliver a custom approach that drives results.
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Instrumentation and Controls
Instrumentation and Controls Engineering (ICE) is a branch of engineering that studies the measurements and control of process variables as well as the design and implementation of the systems that incorporate them. Process variables include pressure, temperature, humidity, flow, pH, force and speed. SEA’s engineers will research and develop recommended control devices, systems and practices as well as employ sensors to measure the output variable of the device to provide feedback to the owner so that corrections toward desired performance can be made.
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Measurement and Verification (M&V)
M&V is the term given to the process for quantifying savings delivered by an Energy Conservation Measure (ECM), as well as the sub-sector of the energy industry involved with this practice. There are four major M&V activities in the Federal Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) process. They include: determining baselines and estimated savings, developing the M&V plan, Developing the post-installation M&V report and performing annual M&V. The M&V plan is the single most important item in an energy savings “guarantee.” SEA will work with the energy service company on behalf of the owner before starting M&V methods to define and determine which activities should be conducted.
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Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB)
Testing, Adjusting and Balancing (TAB) is the process of evaluating temperature and environmental control systems to ensure they are heating and cooling according to design specifications and the equipment’s best level of efficiency. SEA’s process involves using test instruments, sensors and monitors to verify proper temperatures, air flow and other characteristics of HVAC systems. Whether you are looking to incorporate TAB into your overall commissioning process, or wish to perform it as a stand-alone function, SEA’s goal is to help educate our clients about all energy and mechanical settings for increased occupant comfort and maximum equipment optimization.
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Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
Facilities’ operations and maintenance encompasses a broad spectrum of services, competencies, processes and tools required to assure the built environment will perform the functions for which a facility was designed and instructed. O&M typically includes the day-to-day activities necessary for the built structure, its systems and equipment, and occupants/users to perform their intended functions. A facility cannot operate at peak efficiency without being maintained; therefore, the two are discussed as one.
It is now widely recognized that O&M represents the greatest expense in owning and operating a facility over its life-cycle. The accuracy, relevancy and timeliness of well-developed, user-friendly O&M manuals cannot be overstated. Therefore, it is becoming more common for detailed, facility specific O&M manuals to be required as part of the total commissioning process.
SEA prepares O&M manuals to describe the processes, methods, tools, components and frequencies involved for requisite operations and management of physical assets. -
Building Enclosure
Building Enclosure systems consist of a complex combination of materials and multiple trade contractor installations. The complexity of these systems and integration, along with accelerated design and construction schedules can be challenging. SEA will work with key stakeholders with a mindfulness of budgets, timeliness and clear communication to ensure all stakeholders are well informed, intent of design is preserved, and clients achieve excellent roof, exterior walls and waterproofing systems.
Your building enclosure is your barrier for protecting your interior environments. At SEA, we provide the highest quality evaluations from licensed and credentialed professionals. We recommend the most sustainable and resilient supplies and methods to maximize your long-term investment. The result is reduced maintenance costs and future cost avoidance from the elimination and prevention of roof leaks, protection of interiors and increased productivity from displaced occupants during potential remediation. -
Training and Development
Once our work is done, we don’t leave until we are assured your team knows how to properly manage any system changes. We will provide the appropriate documentation and training for smooth operations and reduced maintenance. SEA has developed a network of world-class experts in virtually each and every aspect of energy efficiency. Our reach-back extends far with a bench or helpful professionals that collaborate and troubleshoot – sharing their valuable expertise with one another. Our associates will provide program materials and teach training courses. We are willing to customize a plan to work for your specific building systems to set you and your teams up for continued success for many years to come.
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Accreditation Services
SEA differentiates itself with the ability and knowledge to make sure the work that is performed can be accredited through various government programs. Whether you are seeking ENERGY STAR Certification or want to obtain LEED certification for your projects, SEA provides building owners and operators with the guidance needed to gain the accreditation our client owners desire. SEA is a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council, providing building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance. SEA has extensive experience with the technical guidance needed to comply with each of the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Existing Buildings, ENERGY STAR guidelines and Energy Accreditation Services.
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Predictive Analytics
SEA provides predictive analytics by using advanced tools, software and processes that leverage historical utility data to uncover real-time insights and to predict and prevent future problems. By analyzing utility usage, we can better mitigate risk and help you to make more informed financial and product optimization decisions.
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Utility Collaboration and Rate Analysis
Utility companies face unprecedented head winds as governments push for new regulations to meet aggressive emissions targets while demand for renewables are changing the economics of the industry as a whole. SEA will work with utility representatives to negotiate better rates on your behalf.
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Rebate Investigation
SEA develops rebate and incentive considerations reports based on the scope of work and need for all energy efficient projects to ensure maximum benefits are obtained. Additionally, we will identify and process application submittals for grants, identifying third party financing opportunities and performing life-cycle cost analysis to manage simple pay back of savings to your overall book of business.
Any of these Facility Engineering Services can also be apart of our On-Site Energy Management Programs.
PROVEN EXPERIENCE
Facility Engineering Services
Facility Engineering Services are the core principles and practices for everything we do. Whether you are interested in assessments and audits for capital planning of new construction of infrastructure upgrades, commissioning and building optimization, hosting on-site energy management professionals, developing resilience and sustainability strategies or looking into alternative and renewable energy sources for your portfolios, SEA has more than 30 years of proven experience.
Facility Engineering Services are the core principles and practices for everything we do. Whether you are interested in assessments and audits for capital planning of new construction of infrastructure upgrades, commissioning and building optimization, hosting on-site energy management professionals, developing resilience and sustainability strategies or looking into alternative and renewable energy sources for your portfolios, SEA has more than 30 years of proven experience.