Arcbest Snapshot

About ArcBest

ArcBest^SM is a multibillion-dollar logistics company delivering integrated solutions primarily under the ArcBest brand. Offerings include less-than-truckload services via the ABF Freight^® network, ground expedited solutions through Panther Premium Logistics^®, household moving under the U-Pack^® brand and vehicle maintenance and repair from FleetNet America^®. From Fortune 100 companies to small businesses, customers trust and rely on ArcBest for their transportation and logistics needs.

The Challenge

Originally designed to support an occupancy level of 850 people, the corporate headquarters has grown to now have 1,085 people plus visitors, sometimes reaching up to 1,200 people. Ten percent of the people work at night, requiring 24/7 conditioning of air. The increase in occupancy drove a need to introduce
more outside air to maintain indoor air quality. All of this outside air had to be conditioned, increasing electrical energy costs. In addition, the extra outside air caused drafts on cold winter days, and during the summer the extra outside air flow through the air handlers resulted in some parts of the building getting too cool. “I previously got calls from people that they were cold during the summer, which was a direct result of having to introduce so much chilled air into the building to meet the appropriate CO₂ levels,” said Richard Rieske, Director of Corporate Facilities at ArcBest. “Likewise, they felt drafts during the winter due to all the outside air that was being used to ventilate the building. When the HLR modules are running, our people are more comfortable.”

Solution

Faced with higher than desired energy costs and a commitment to high air quality and comfort, ArcBest turned to enVerid for help. The enVerid project team assessed the air quality and comfort goals, as well as the HVAC mechanical environment, to come up with a solution and a detailed installation plan.

Using the ASHRAE 62.1 Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP), ArcBest could use enVerid HLR modules to clean the indoor air of the building, instead of relying solely on outside air. Ten enVerid HLR systems were installed, enabling a 65% average reduction in required outside airflow.

273-Ton Peak HVAC Load Reduction

The HLR reduced peak HVAC load by 273 tons, which corresponds to a 36% decrease in total HVAC load. This savings impacts the “demand charges” on ArcBest’s utility bill, which in many locations, has a major impact on the overall cost of electricity. In addition, when ArcBest replaces the HVAC equipment in the future, the peak capacity required will be 36% less, providing significant savings in capital expense.

Energy Savings of $63,709 per Year; Outside Air Reduced 65%

Using HLR Technology, ArcBest could take advantage of ASHRAE 62.1 Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP) and use 65% less outside air compared to using the ASHRAE 62.1 Ventilation Rate Procedure (VRP). As a result, the annual energy savings for heating and cooling are calculated to be $63,709.

Water Savings of $11,535 per Year

ArcBest was also able to conserve on cooling tower water but a separate water meter wasn’t available so this information was not included in the overall project savings. However, based on standard calculations, ArcBest is saving 2.175 million gallons of water and saving $11,535 in water and wastewater charges.

Earned a One-Time Energy Rebate of $66,900

The local electric utility, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, offers rebates for energy efficiency projects. The rebate of $6,690 per HLR module, funded a substantial portion of the deployment.

Additional Savings:

• Filters: Reducing outside air extends the lifetime of outside air filters
• Reduced Corrosion: Reducing outside air intake provides several secondary benefits that include extending the useful life of the existing mechanical
  equipment and ductwork