When we conducted our energy audit of the library, we found that most of the lighting was old fluorescent tubes and that they could be replaced with high-efficiency T8 fluorescents and that the ballasts inside are magnetic. If they were electronic they would be much more energy-efficient.
We also learned that the library could use a groundwater heat exchange to save electricity when using its chiller. A groundwater heat exchange works by sending groundwater through a single pass heat-exchange coil before pumping it out to the storm sewer. The supply air passes through this pre-cooling coil before passing through the main chilled water coil. This takes a load off the chiller. This works because the water table at the library is 4 feet below ground. We also recommended the library use a Variable Frequency Drive in its air handling system and chiller. This changes the frequency of the AC current, changing the speed of a motor that it is hooked up to. If this motor drives a fan, you can change the speed of the fan, using less power based on less need. You could use this in the chiller so it would not have to run full power every time it was turned on.
We also suggested some long-term upgrades that would improve energy efficiency, including use of remote control blinds, and nanowires in the floor. Nanowires are tiny strands of atoms only about 10 atoms, or a hundred thousandth of a millimeter long. Nanowires are formed by self-assembly, where atoms arrange themselves naturally at stepped silicon surfaces. One type of nanowire made of zinc oxide is piezoelectric, which means that if it bends, it produces energy. They produce up to four watts of energy per cubic centimeter.
Finally, the library computers could be switched to power-saving, laptop-like computers using only 8 watts.
More information:
HVAC
Lighting
Power Usage and Efficiency
The Technical Audit Results
The Library's History
Bibliography