> By: The Cooling Company
Key Takeaways
- Use a room-by-room Manual J load calculation (not a square-foot rule).
- Select equipment with Manual S and verify ducts with Manual D for comfort and efficiency.
- Avoid oversizing: short-cycling wastes fuel and can create uneven temperatures.
Older Trane commercial systems can drive higher energy bills through bad controls, leaks, and wrong sizing. Dirty coils and clogged filters force fans and compressors to run longer. Fixing controls, cleaning coils, and correcting setpoints often cuts runtime and lowers costs within weeks. For technical guidance from industry standards, see the ASHRAE technical resources page.
Key takeaways (N/A)
Small, routine problems often add large energy costs quickly. Dirty coils, wrong setpoints, refrigerant leaks, and missed controls tuning can each increase runtime and kW demand. These faults stack up, so addressing a few items together gives the best results. Prioritize items that affect run hours and plant peak loads.
Controls upgrades, VFDs, and proper commissioning usually deliver the biggest and fastest kWh savings. Utility rebates and incentive programs can cut retrofit costs and shorten payback. For building owners, starting with a BAS review and basic maintenance often reveals low-cost, high-impact measures. Document baseline metrics before work so savings are clear.
Small fixes often produce fast wins
Low-cost items like filter changes, coil cleaning, and simple BAS sequence fixes typically pay back in months. These tasks reduce fan and compressor runtime and improve comfort. Use monthly filter pressure-drop logs and coil inspections to catch drift early.
Bigger upgrades target peak loads and runtime
Control system upgrades, VFD installs, and chiller retrofits give larger savings but need more capital. Rank these by kWh saved per dollar and pursue utility rebates. Combine controls tuning with hardware changes to lock in savings.
Why is my Trane commercial system costing more?
Older equipment and poor operation both raise energy use. As compressors, motors, and heat exchangers age, their efficiency drops. Fouled coils and dirty filters reduce heat transfer and airflow. Controls drift and schedules stop matching building use. These factors cause longer run hours and higher electrical demand.
A controls review often shows missed opportunities. If BAS sequences ignore occupancy, ventilation needs, or outdoor air conditions, equipment runs when it should not. Fixing sequences and setpoints reduces unnecessary runtime. Regular inspections and scheduled re-commissioning keep sequences aligned with current building use and avoid long-term drift.
Are oversized units wasting energy?
Oversized HVAC units short cycle. Short cycling increases start-stop wear and reduces dehumidification. Short, frequent runs also operate far from the equipment s best part-load efficiency. Performing a load calculation and plant review helps identify oversizing.
Staging controls, adding VFDs, or replacing a single oversized unit can restore longer, steadier run times. Longer runs improve delta-T and reduce total kW for a given comfort level. A plant review will show where oversizing is the core issue.
When were filters and coils last serviced?
Clogged filters and dirty coils raise fan static and lower heat transfer. Higher static forces fans and compressors to draw more current. Restoring airflow through cleaning and filter replacement often reduces energy use by double digits.
Track filter pressure drop and log coil condition monthly during cooling season. Use MERV ratings that match your coil and measure supply airflow after filter changes. These steps prevent hidden load increases and improve comfort.
Is refrigerant leakage increasing runtime?
Low refrigerant lowers cooling capacity and forces compressors to run longer. Increased run hours raise kWh and risk compressor failure. Perform leak checks and charge verification to spot common problems.
Look for oil stains at joints and monitor suction and head pressures during operation. Repair leaks, recharge to spec, and document repairs. Routine refrigerant audits stop slow losses and restore efficient runtime.
Which Trane units use the most energy?
Not every Trane unit draws the same energy. Large chillers, main air handlers, and primary rooftop units commonly dominate a building s energy use. How those systems are sized and controlled changes their impact on total kWh and peak demand. Focusing upgrades where run hours and plant loads are highest gives the best return.
Target central chillers and main AHU fans first. These units often yield more kWh reduction per dollar than swapping many small, intermittent pieces of equipment. Use metering and trend data to identify which assets consume the most energy during typical and peak periods.
Which Trane chillers are least efficient?
Older centrifugal and screw chillers without variable-speed drives often have poor part-load performance. Running at full speed when load is low raises kW per ton. Check kW/ton at common operating points and compare to modern units to guide replacement or retrofit choices.
Retrofitting VFDs or replacing outdated chillers can reduce plant energy use substantially. Quantify savings at typical loads to justify investment.
How do rooftop units compare?
Rooftop units vary by age and controls. Older single-speed RTUs often run constant fans and basic thermostats. That raises fan power and can over-ventilate. Newer packaged units use electronically commutated (EC) fans, better staging, and demand-control ventilation to save energy.
Ensure RTUs have functioning economizers and proper ventilation control. Properly tuned RTUs reduce both fan and compressor runtime and cut total kWh.
Are air handlers adding hidden losses?
Air handling units can hide losses through poor airflow balance, dirty coils, and casing leaks. Fans left at constant high speed waste energy. Leaking dampers and poor seals increase fan power and reduce system efficiency.
Inspect motor type, belts, and damper travel. Consider EC motors or VFDs for main fans, and seal casings and duct connections to restore designed performance.
Can VAV and ductwork cause imbalance?
VAV systems require correct box calibration and low leakage to save energy. Poorly adjusted VAV boxes, duct leaks, and imbalanced flows force higher fan speeds and extra reheat. That increases both fan and cooling energy use.
Measure box flows, check damper calibration, and seal ducts. Rebalancing reduces kWh and improves occupant comfort.
How do controls and commissioning drive savings?
Controls and commissioning change how systems operate every day. Proper controls reduce unnecessary runtime by matching operation to real loads. Commissioning verifies that devices and sequences behave as intended. These services often yield faster and higher savings than a single hardware swap.
A well-commissioned building also reduces tenant complaints and maintenance calls. Commissioning documents baseline performance and helps operations keep systems tuned. Re-commissioning after major changes prevents drift and restores original efficiency.
What savings come from modern controls?
Modern control systems add features such as demand-control ventilation, optimized start/stop, and analytics. These functions cut fan and chiller runtime by adapting operation to demand. Buildings often see 10 to 30 percent energy savings from controls alone.
Fault detection and analytics find issues quickly and help sustain savings. Continuous monitoring lets operators fix problems before they grow.
How do Trane BAS features reduce runtime?
Trane BAS can coordinate chillers, AHUs, and RTUs with optimized staging. It can run VFDs and plant sequences that avoid simultaneous starts and reduce peak demand. Trend logging supplies the data needed to tune and improve sequences.
Operators use BAS data to adjust staging, setpoints, and alarm thresholds. Proper use of BAS features lowers total kWh and smooths peaks when tuned to the building s real load profile.
When should you upgrade to VFDs?
Install VFDs when fans or pumps run variable loads for many hours. Motor power falls quickly with reduced speed, so long-run fans and chilled-water pumps benefit most. Estimate payback using motor size and annual run hours.
Many projects show two- to five-year paybacks when VFDs reduce average motor power substantially. Prioritize VFDs on large motors with long duty cycles.
Can poor sequences negate equipment efficiency?
Yes. Efficient chillers and fans perform poorly under bad sequences. If staging forces multiple units on simultaneously, none may run at their best efficiency point. Wrong setbacks and ventilation logic add unnecessary load.
Simulate common operating scenarios and watch how equipment stages. Adjust sequences so units run at efficient loads and avoid needless simultaneous starts.
When should you choose retrofit vs replacement?
Choose retrofit or replacement based on equipment age, parts availability, and expected savings. Retrofits often upgrade controls, motors, or heat transfer surfaces and return money faster. Full replacement fixes major lifecycle, performance, and refrigerant issues but costs more up front.
Weigh purchase cost, energy use, maintenance, and expected life. Include downtime and lost productivity in your analysis. Using total cost of ownership with realistic run hours and energy rates gives a clearer comparison than purchase price alone.
What lifecycle cost factors matter most?
Consider purchase price, energy consumption, maintenance needs, and expected lifespan. Also account for downtime and the cost of service interruptions. Higher-efficiency gear can cost more up front but save fuel and repair costs over time.
Compare warranties and expected service needs to pick the most resilient option. Use measured run hours and real energy rates when modeling ROI.
How do refrigerant rules affect choice?
Refrigerant phase-downs and regulation can make older refrigerants scarce and expensive to service. Repair costs may rise if supply drops. Replacing systems that use restricted refrigerants can avoid future compliance and cost risks.
Plan replacements to align with refrigerant timelines. That reduces long-term risk and avoids surprise costs when servicing older systems.
Which retrofit options cut the most kWh?
Controls tuning, VFD installs, and economizer repairs usually deliver high kWh savings per dollar. Motor replacements and improved heat-transfer surfaces add more gains when combined with controls changes.
Start with sequencing and sensor fixes, then add hardware where data shows the biggest impact. Combining measures avoids diminishing returns and locks in savings.
What incentives and codes affect upgrades?
Incentives and code requirements shape project economics and scope. Federal tax credits, utility rebates, and local programs reduce net costs and speed payback. Codes like IECC and ASHRAE 90.1 set minimum efficiency and control requirements that may affect equipment choices.
Check local rebate rules and code updates early in project planning. Align projects to capture incentives and avoid rework. Working with a qualified team helps navigate program rules and documentation requirements.
What federal incentives support retrofits?
Federal incentives and tax credits sometimes apply to energy upgrades and electrification measures. Programs change, so verify current rules before committing. Proper documentation and measurement are often required for eligibility.
Work with tax advisors and the project team to ensure qualification. Accurate records and measurement help secure available credits.
Are utility rebates available for Trane upgrades?
Many utilities offer rebates for efficient chillers, VFDs, and advanced controls. Rebates often require pre-approval and post-install verification. Early engagement with the utility speeds approval and payment.
Document measures and expected savings to qualify. Rebates can change the payback math and make some projects immediately viable.
How do ASHRAE and IECC changes impact projects?
Updates to ASHRAE and IECC raise baseline efficiency and control requirements. New projects and major retrofits may need to meet the latest codes. This affects equipment selection, commissioning scope, and control strategies.
Design with current and imminent code levels in mind to reduce rework and ensure compliance.
Ready to lower your Trane energy bills?
Start with a plant audit and BAS review to find the highest-impact fixes. Target controls, VFDs, and commissioning for fast savings. Measure baseline metrics first so results are clear and verifiable. Prioritize actions that give the most kWh saved per dollar.
Las Vegas area customers can get a tailored plan, cost estimate, and rebate help from The Cooling Company. Quick wins make savings visible to owners and tenants. For those outside the area, hire NATE-certified technicians and follow a controls-first approach.
How to request an energy assessment?
Las Vegas area owners should call The Cooling Company for a targeted energy audit. The team does walk-through audits, data trending, BAS reviews, and priority plans for Trane equipment. The assessment highlights the biggest kWh reductions and outlines next steps.
The audit report includes recommended measures, estimated savings, and suggested rebate paths. It gives a clear roadmap to improve efficiency and comfort.
Contact and next steps?
Call The Cooling Company at 17029308411 to schedule a commercial Trane audit, tune-up, or retrofit quote in Las Vegas. Ask for diagnostics, BAS optimization, and NATE-certified technicians for quality work and clear reporting.
If you are outside our service area, ask any contractor for NATE-certified technicians. Prioritize controls-first upgrades, VFD installs, and commissioning to lower energy use and risk.
Summary of major causes and fixes
Wrong sizing, dirty coils, refrigerant loss, poor controls, and missed commissioning drive higher bills. Fixes include routine maintenance, BAS tuning, VFDs for fans and pumps, economizer repair, and targeted retrofits. Prioritize by kWh saved per dollar and set up measurement before work so savings are clear.
Quick actions often pay back in months. Larger retrofits and replacements typically pay back in two to seven years, depending on run hours and rebates. Combine hardware changes with controls upgrades and commissioning to lock in long-term savings and reduce surprises.
FAQs: common facility manager concerns?
Will controls alone save money? Often yes. Sequence tuning and better schedules can cut HVAC energy by 10 to 30 percent. Controls fixes are cost-effective first steps before capital equipment swaps.
How fast is payback? Small measures may pay back in months. Major replacements often pay back in two to seven years. Use real run hours and incentives to model payback.
Who should I call? Las Vegas region owners can call The Cooling Company at 17029308411 for audits, BAS tuning, and upgrades. Outside the area, ask for NATE-certified technicians and a controls-first plan.
Final key takeaways
Start with data and low-cost fixes. Tune controls, clean coils, fix leaks, and calibrate sensors first. These items give fast, measurable savings and improve occupant comfort. Use rebates and incentives to lower upfront cost.
When large replacements are needed, combine them with controls upgrades and commissioning to lock in long-term savings and reduce operational risk. Measure and verify to make sure investments deliver expected results.
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About The Cooling Company
The Cooling Company has been serving the Las Vegas valley with professional HVAC services for over a decade. Our team of licensed, NATE-certified technicians specializes in air conditioning repair, heating system maintenance, and complete HVAC installations. We're committed to providing honest, reliable service with upfront pricing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all work performed.
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We proudly serve homeowners and businesses throughout the Las Vegas metropolitan area, including Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Our service technicians are available for same-day appointments in most areas, with emergency service available 24/7 for urgent HVAC issues.
Sources and further reading
- ASHRAE Technical Resources: ASHRAE technical resources
- DOE Better Buildings HVAC guidance: DOE Better Buildings HVAC resources