Intelligent Building Optimization
Modern public facilities require intelligent control systems to operate efficiently. Without a centralized Building Automation System (BAS), heating, cooling, and lighting systems operate in silos—running during unoccupied hours, heating and cooling empty spaces, and failing to maintain stable indoor air quality.
E3 designs, installs, and commissions integrated control solutions that connect your mechanical, electrical, and environmental systems. We replace outdated pneumatic controls or proprietary, locked control networks with open-protocol Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems that put you in complete command of your facility’s energy and air quality.
The E3 Controls Value Propositions
Traditional ESCOs and control contractors install proprietary control platforms that lock you into expensive, single-source maintenance contracts. At E3, we prioritize your long-term independence and savings:
- Open Protocols (BACnet): We design systems using open communication protocols, allowing you to integrate equipment from any manufacturer (Honeywell, Alerton, Johnson Controls, Carrier, Trane) without paying licensing penalties.
- Centralized Web Access: Manage your entire facility footprint—including classrooms, administrative blocks, and central plants—from any web browser or mobile app.
- Integrated HVAC and IAQ: We program the BAS to monitor indoor air quality and mechanical ventilation rates simultaneously, ensuring optimal occupant health without wasting energy.
Our Turnkey Controls Offerings
Building Automation Systems (BAS) and HVAC Controls
Optimize your facility operations. We install DDC panels, electronic actuators, variable-frequency drives (VFDs), and smart thermostats, integrating them into a centralized, user-friendly software platform. Schedule setbacks, monitor real-time energy draw, and receive automated maintenance alerts.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Analysis and Improvements
Improve building health and visual comfort. We assess facility environments, install carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate sensors, and integrate air purification, filtration, and ventilation controls to ensure a continuous stream of fresh, clean air.
Traditional BAS Contracts vs. E3 Integrated Solutions
Texas Project Success
E3 has optimized building automation and HVAC controls in facilities across Texas, reducing energy waste and resolving comfort issues:
- Edcouch-Elsa ISD: Replaced outdated mechanical controls with a centralized Alerton Automation System across multiple campuses as part of a major chilled water plant overhaul.
- Carrizo Springs CISD: Integrated advanced building envelope and building automation upgrades, improving indoor comfort and streamlining operations for the facilities team.
- Ricardo ISD: Installed centralized, web-accessible controls for 44 newly installed HVAC units, enabling automated weekend setbacks and monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is open-protocol BACnet and why should schools avoid proprietary controls?
BACnet is an ANSI/ASHRAE Standard communication protocol that allows building control hardware from different manufacturers to communicate. Public entities should avoid proprietary control systems because they create “vendor lock-in.” With a proprietary system, you are contractually forced to hire that specific manufacturer for every software update, replacement sensor, or expansion. An open-protocol BACnet system ensures that any certified controls technician can service, expand, or modify your building controls, keeping maintenance costs competitive and protecting your long-term independence.
Can building automation systems (BAS) help detect water leaks or monitor air quality?
Yes. Modern Building Automation Systems can serve as unified monitoring platforms. By integrating digital water flow meters, the BAS can identify abnormal, continuous water draws (indicating a hidden pipe leak or running toilet) and immediately send text alerts to maintenance staff. Similarly, by integrating inline indoor air quality sensors, the BAS can monitor carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, relative humidity, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), automatically opening mechanical fresh-air dampers when pollutant levels rise.
What are the ventilation requirements for school indoor air quality under ASHRAE 62.1?
ASHRAE Standard 62.1 defines minimum outdoor fresh air ventilation rates based on space type and expected occupancy. For standard school classrooms, this typically translates to roughly 10 to 15 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of outdoor air per student. Additionally, the standard recommends keeping indoor CO2 levels below 1,000 parts per million (ppm) to prevent drowsiness and focus issues. E3 designs ventilation systems using carbon dioxide sensors to dynamically adjust fresh air volumes, ensuring full compliance with ASHRAE standards while preventing the energy waste of ventilating empty rooms.