Posts by Miles Ryan
Commissioning Lead/Lag Pumping Operations: Part I – Identifying Designer’s Intent
QSE engineer, Miles Ryan, P.E., writes a monthly column in Engineered Systems Magazine on Building Commissioning. Read January’s column below: I would like to thank Rebecca Ellis, PE for her 25 year’s worth of contributions to this publication! She has made, and continues to make, significant impacts on this industry, and I am grateful to…
Read MoreImproving HVAC Operations – Part V: Managing Swing Season Heating Requirements
Abstract: Maintaining a solid understanding of how common HVAC systems are controlled is essential to effectively troubleshooting them. It is also necessary for optimizing the energy performance of such systems. Improving the knowledge base of HVAC control sequences throughout the Department of Defense, for these purposes, was the driving force behind the resurrection of the…
Read MoreImproving HVAC Operations – Part IV: Comprehensive Sensor Management
Abstract: Maintaining a solid understanding of how common HVAC systems are controlled is essential to effectively troubleshooting them. It is also necessary for optimizing the energy performance of such systems. Improving the knowledge base of HVAC control sequences throughout the Department of Defense, for these purposes, was the driving force behind the resurrection of the…
Read MoreImproving HVAC Operations – Part III: Accurately Aligning Occupancy Schedules
Abstract: Maintaining a solid understanding of how common HVAC systems are controlled is essential to effectively troubleshooting them. It is also necessary for optimizing the energy performance of such systems. Improving the knowledge base of HVAC control sequences throughout the Department of Defense, for these purposes, was the driving force behind the resurrection of the…
Read MoreImproving HVAC Operations – Part II: Controlling Temperature, Managing Humidity
Abstract: Maintaining a solid understanding of how common HVAC systems are controlled is essential to effectively troubleshooting them. It is also necessary for optimizing the energy performance of such systems. Improving the knowledge base of HVAC control sequences throughout the Department of Defense, for these purposes, was the driving force behind the resurrection of the…
Read MoreImproving HVAC Operations – Part I: Managing Swing Season Cooling Requirements
Abstract: Maintaining a solid understanding of how common HVAC systems are controlled is essential to effectively troubleshooting them. It is also necessary for optimizing the energy performance of such systems. Improving the knowledge base of HVAC control sequences throughout the Department of Defense, for these purposes, was the driving force behind the resurrection of the…
Read MoreUnderstanding Cascade Control and Its Applications For HVAC
Miles Ryan, a P.E. at QSEng authored this ASHRAE article published in February 2021. Most readers familiar with the operation of HVAC systems are aware of the term closed-loop control, oftentimes referred to as just a control loop, closed-loop, or feedback loop. Additionally, many will describe them as PID loops, short for Proportional-Integral-Derivative loops, although…
Read MoreMaximizing Your Building Automation System (A 3-Part Webinar Series)
Slipstream Miles Ryan Jun 29, 2019 through Aug 4, 2020 https://slipstreaminc.org/event/maximize-your-bas Miles Ryan presents a three part webinar for Slipstream in conjunction with Xcel Energy, WPPI Energy, Wisconsin Public Service, We-Energies and Madison Gas and Electric. Part I explores utilizing BAS to troubleshoot HVAC systems in real-time. Part II explores making better use of trend…
Read MoreOptimizing Your Airside Economizers
MEEA Webinar Miles Ryan April 22, 2020 Miles Ryan conducted a webinar for the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s (MEEA) Building Operator Certification (BOC) program. This presentation explained the fundamentals of airside economizers, as well as pointed out the common pitfalls in their implementation which prevent them from reaching through their potential to reduce building energy…
Read MoreAddressing PRVs in Domestic Hot Water Recirculating Systems
Synopsis There are numerous parallels and striking differences between domestic hot water recirculating systems, and the hydronic systems used to heat and cool facilities. This paper will explore those parallels and differences to highlight the common pitfalls seen in the design and operation of domestic hot water recirculating systems which include the presence of a…
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