100 North Tampa

Marx|Okubo was engaged to complete an ASHRAE Level III Energy Audit on an approximately 853,336-square-foot, 42-story office building located in Tampa, Florida. For our survey, we reviewed the physical condition of the building systems, equipment, and components related to the building infrastructure accessible or visible during several site visits. Following the energy audit, we performed an evaluation for replacement of the existing Trane centrifugal chillers, which included three alternate chiller scenarios. The three alternatives were evaluated on the basis of energy usage, lifecycle cost, and environmental impact.

Our team was able to model the entire building and match energy usage in the model with detailed historical utility billing provided by the property manager. This energy model then allowed us to evaluate each alternative for the best property-specific recommendation. Our evaluation determined the most cost-effective solution for the client. For the installation, we worked with a local mechanical contractor to determine reduced tonnage equipment sizes as well as disassembled chiller components that could be transported by rigging contractors down the elevator shaft to the basement central plant. Once transported, the chillers required reassembly in the basement by manufacturer’s technicians. Solving this challenge in this way avoided the only alternative installation, which would have been far more disruptive as it included cutting the concrete sidewalk with both traffic and flood insurance implications.

With this creative approach, we worked collaboratively with the entire team to develop a complex-but-workable solution. Our solution saved the client project installation costs, and the new equipment will ultimately reduce operating costs with an attractive return on the investment.