Budgeting – Operational & Capital

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) has provided its clients with detailed budgets for various programming, engineering, construction, and preventative maintenance projects.  EEI makes every effort to analyze the lifecycle costs associated with all its projects in an effort to help the owner understand both the short- and long-term ramifications of each project.  Where needed, EEI will calculate project budgets using current costs, projected future costs, financing charges, immediate energy savings, future energy savings and estimated project “paybacks”.  EEI also has the ability to prepare cost and budgetary projections with factors for depreciation and the time/value of money.  The firm is also a big proponent of always including a contingency allowance. 

Design and Specifications

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) provides design and specification packages for new, retrofit, renovation, repair, and modification projects. Our design capabilities include computer-aided design (CAD) for fast and efficient design/specification packages. We have provided design services to our clients in the following areas:

  • Mechanical Systems: New, retrofit, and renovation design and specification packages for HVAC, plumbing, and piping systems for energy management, performance, and maintenance improvements. Emphasis is placed on providing energy efficient systems and equipment which represent cost-effective strategies for the owner. EEI also provides special mechanical design work involved in laboratories, research facilities, clean rooms, manufacturing, and hospital facilities.
     
  • Electrical Systems: Design and specification packages for new and retrofit projects for electrical systems, including primary and secondary systems, distribution, substations, emergency generators, UPS, co-generation, and lighting. Lighting systems design incorporates efficient luminaries, lamps, ballasts, etc. Lighting calculations are performed using various computer programs such as Lumen Micro and Lumen Point.
     
  • Regulatory Design Standards: We provide design services in a variety of highly regulated service areas. Typical regulatory groups include hospital standards such as the Department of Health in Washington. California design requirements also include adherence to Title 22 and Title 24 design requirements and significant seismic precautions.
     
  • Utility Systems: New, retrofit, and renovation plan and specification packages for utility and distribution systems and networks.
     
  • Energy Production Facilities: New and retrofit design of central steam, hot water, chilled water, chilled water storage, ice storage, direct/indirect evaporative cooling, co-generation, and waste-to-energy plants.
     
  • Automation/Control Systems: Design and specification packages for utility control centers, energy monitoring and control systems (EMCS), fire protection/detection systems, telecommunication systems, and life safety systems for commercial, industrial, institutional, and government facilities.
     
  • Alternative Energy Systems: Design and specification packages for alternative energy systems such as solar, wind, and waste-to-energy systems. Designs also incorporate daylighting systems with lighting and mechanical systems.
     

Design Alternatives

As part of the firm’s Peer Review services, Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) will often provide facility owners/managers with design alternatives that may provide increased operating efficiencies, decreased construction costs, lowered maintenance expenses, or which otherwise provide a better alternative toward achieving the owner’s overall objectives for the project.  In general, EEI is always focused on maximizing the value the facility owner received for each construction dollar spent on any given project.

Design Criteria

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) provides design criteria development, review, and documentation as part of its commissioning services; however, owner’s may hire EEI to provide this as a stand-alone service.  The design criteria document outlines the objectives in designing the M/E/P, building envelope, life safety, and information technology systems.  EEI bases the design criteria on preliminary design assumptions, including but not limited to occupancy, space and process requirements, applicable codes/policies/standards, load assumptions, climatic assumptions, general performance metrics, indoor air quality requirements, special facility use requirements, and how existing and new systems should be integrated.

Design Review

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) provides clients with design review services for HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical systems. These services can be provided as a peer review during the design process, or as a part of troubleshooting an existing system.

Within the design review service area, we are particularly skilled in the review of HVAC with respect to indoor air quality and ventilation. Important considerations are materials, airflow rates, diffuser sizing and layout, and the provisions for balancing, controlling, and maintaining the system.

Energy Audits & Efficiency Measures

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) is dedicated to energy efficiency and has taken active roles in many energy and environmental associations. As a result, we incorporate energy efficient designs and details into all of our projects. Some specific energy-related consulting services provided by the firm include:

  • Comprehensive energy master plans, alternative energy evaluations (solar, wind, and waste-to-energy), energy and cost studies, and value-engineering analyses for clients in both the private and public sectors. These include the assessment of alternative fuels, environmental protection, operational modifications, and equipment performance, as well as management and maintenance procedures.

  • Incorporation of Building Automation Systems (BAS) into many design and/or retrofit projects. Through the use of computerized control equipment, facility owners and managers realize increased energy savings by automating all facility systems, such as HVAC, lighting, security, etc.

  • Consulting on energy production through the use of co-generation and waste-to-energy plants. These projects use the by-products of other systems to create primary, emergency, and back-up energy and power.

  • Participating in performance contracting projects that provide the necessary funding to implement energy conservation measures.

Energy Incentive Programs

Many utilities and state agencies offer incentives to encourage energy conservation and building commissioning. Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) is very familiar with these programs, and we work with our client in the identification, initiation and award of the incentives. We have been successful in helping our customers realize more than a million dollars in efficiency and commissioning credits.

Expert Witness Services

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) and its key personnel have been hired to provide expert testimony in various legal actions throughout the United States.  The firm’s credentials, as well as those of its key personnel, are impressive.  All key employees possess strong systems engineering knowledge/expertise, experience in working on various engineered system, extensive field (practical) experience, and professional certifications from leading industry associations.

Facility Maintenance Management Information Systems

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) develops and refines technical information databases, computerized maintenance management systems and building management systems into comprehensive and integrated facility maintenance management information systems. This specifically includes:

  • AutoCAD databases
  • Operation & maintenance documentation
  • Work order packages
  • Real-time data acquisition for routine operation & service requirements

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Investigation, Improvements & Problem Solving

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) provides a broad range of proactive IAQ evaluation and IAQ problem-solving services. Our past experience indicates that most IAQ problems are complex combinations of ventilation and contaminant interaction. Rather than starting with expensive testing for numerous possible contaminants, we recommend a methodical, step-by-step approach, starting with a qualitative evaluation. We have the capability to delve as deeply as necessary into HVAC system operation, contaminant sources and occupant response.

Integrated Life Safety Testing

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) provides comprehensive and integrated test procedures for the interaction of the following life safety and related systems:

  • Fire detection & alarm systems
  • Fire suppression systems
  •  Smoke control systems
  •  Elevators
  •  Building control & access systems
  • Security systems

These procedures bring together testing requirements of building operator teams, jurisdictional authorities and contractors to simultaneously test all these systems for an efficient, one-time event.

Master Planning Program Planning, Study, and Evaluation

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) provides technical and economic planning, study, and evaluation services for assessing energy management, performance, physical condition, maintenance, operations, and the potential modifications and renovations of equipment and systems. We provide these services for both existing and new facilities in the form of various engineering studies. EEI's experience and capabilities provide facility owners with the resources to assess the most cost-effective alternative for each problem and solution on a life-cycle cost basis.

We perform planning and study services in the following areas:

  • Mechanical Systems: Technical and economic evaluations of new and retrofit HVAC designs, renovations, modifications, and the integration of mechanical systems with other systems; plumbing system repair and replacement; and piping modifications. Development of comprehensive energy master plans, alternative energy evaluations, energy and cost studies, and value engineering studies.
     
  • Electrical Systems: Planning of, and technical and economic evaluations for, buildings, facilities, and installation of electrical systems, including primary and secondary systems, distribution, substations and transformers, emergency generators, UPS, fire and life safety, and co-generation systems.
     
  • Lighting Systems: Evaluation of lamp types, ballasts, and luminaries/system efficiency for new installation. Design of different lighting layouts and mockups for review. Cost/benefit analysis of different control strategies such as relays, occupancy sensors, daylight, responsive dimming, etc.

Preventative Maintenance/Asset Tracking Database Development

Commissioning a new addition is an excellent opportunity to begin or enhance a preventative maintenance system, integrating the new with existing in-house asset management programs. It is also a chance to bring added efficiency to the budgeting, procurement, warranty and scheduled service functions. Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) facilitates the development of common goals and processes for the accounting, engineering and maintenance disciplines.

Specialty Testing – HEPA Filters, Fume Hoods, FDA

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) is qualified to provide specialty testing as required by clients with specialized systems.  Such testing may include HEPA filter testing, laboratory fume hood testing, as well as other testing required by governing bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

System Assessments

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) is routine hired to provide its clients with detailed assessments of their M/E/P, building envelope, life safety, and information technology systems.  These services are detailed under the Facility Assessment section of this website, which can be found on the submenu under Services.

System Documentation

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) provides “as-builting” and system documentation services for M/E/P systems. We create these documents either by utilizing a field review to update existing record drawings or by developing documents completely on the basis of field review.

System Trending & Seasonal Performance Evaluations

In addition to the functional testing, Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) can track system performance, and monitor or record unusual system occurrences. This leads to more effective troubleshooting and quicker system problem resolution.

We also analyze the heating or cooling equipment during peak seasonal requirements, which allows for observation of on-line, real-time performance of the systems during peak conditions and events.

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) includes testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) review as part of it commissioning services.  This is a spot-checking of the air and water system test results for compliance with the specified accuracy.  EEI suggests a spot check of at least 10% of the contractor’s scope of work.  In addition, EEI reviews TAB contractor problem reports as their work progresses, following up with the construction manager to ensure the resolution of any issues reported.

Training

Engineering Economics, Inc. (EEI) provides training programs for all levels of personnel involved in facility management. This training can be customized for each client and can be conducted in the classroom, or in the equipment rooms.

Our training programs raise both the knowledge and skill level of anyone involved in building design, management, operation and maintenance. Some of the courses currently offered by EEI include:

  • Fundamentals of testing, adjusting & balancing environmental systems
  • Advanced testing, adjusting & balancing of air systems
  • Advanced testing, adjusting & balancing of hydronic systems
  • Basic HVAC systems
  • HVAC fundamentals for facility & property managers
  • Fundamentals of energy accounting
  • Fundamentals of energy management
  • ABCs of IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)
  • Fundamentals of life cycle costing
  • Building moisture control

In addition to these courses, we can develop training material specific to our clients’ needs, including handouts, visual aids, video documentation, course curriculums, quizzes, and testing.

Troubleshooting / Field Engineering

Our field engineering services include troubleshooting, appraisals, observations, testing, and assessments of the physical condition, operation, and performance of the facility equipment and systems. Our field engineering projects have included:

  • Mechanical Systems: New and existing HVAC, special plumbing, piping, and sanitary systems.
     
  • Electrical: New and existing systems for buildings, facilities, and installations including primary and secondary power, substations, distribution, UPS, emergency power, co-generation, interfacing, switchgear, motor controls, fire alarm systems, and lighting.
     
  • Lighting Retrofits: Energy audits for existing buildings for retrofit of luminaries, lamps, or ballasts to reduce energy consumption while maintaining or improving lighting quality.