Background on Your New Thermostat

(Simple on the outside. Smart on the inside.)

One of the most common complaints from residents in buildings with two-pipe HVAC systems (those capable of heating or cooling, but not both concurrently) is temperature control, and—while some of the state-of-the-art central heating plant infrastructure can help through advanced temperature resets—the primary culprit is most commonly the Fan Coil Unit (or “Convector”) Controls.

In the case of Takoma Overlook, antiquated knob-style controls for Hot/Cold and Fan Speed Control not only limit the equipment’s ability to accurately sense room temperature, but also make constant adjustments from residents searching for a “sweet spot” nearly mandatory. Fortunately for the residents at the Takoma Overlook, the Association is upgrading to state of the art commercial thermostats for residents, an improvement that will not only simplify resident comfort, but also—thanks to advanced energy savings technology such as just-in-time resets, automatic fan modulation, and dual-mode occupancy-sensing—save the Association an estimated $18,000 per year in utilities and generate utility rebates of over $25,000.

General Operation

Telkonet EcoAir Thermostats are best and most efficiently operated in “Set and Forget” operation. Simply check to ensure that your thermostat is in the right mode (heating or cooling), keep the fan in “Auto”, set your target temperature, and let the thermostat find the best method to get you there.

What to Expect from the Upgrade Process?

Prior to Era’s arrival at your floor/wing, you will be notified by management that our team is heading your way. At this time, please ensure that your Fan Coil Units / Convectors are free from obstructions (on or around the unit) and can easily, safely, & smoothly be accessed by our team upon arrival. Remember: HVAC Units tend to hold more than their fair share of dust & dirt, and we would hate to accidentally transfer any of this to nearby furnishings.

Generally plan for each convector to take roughly 25 to 45 minutes for the conversion (although some may fall slightly outside of this range). Upon (or prior to) completion, the Era Team Member installing your wireless user interface (thermostat) will provide recommendations on ideal placement, and look for your feedback on any special considerations which you would like us to take into account before mounting. Mounting is typically performed using typical screw & anchor hardware, but—if you are not confident in placement—double-sided tape can also be used for ease of future relocation.

The thermostats themselves were designed for use in multifamily properties, hotels, and senior living communities, thus the user interface is quite simple (as simple as setting your target temperature and letting the thermostat do the rest). When the thermostat senses a lack of occupancy in the room, it will automatically reset to an unoccupied temperature until the occupants return. Not to worry:

• Telkonet’s Recovery Time Technology ensures that temperatures never set back so far that they cannot quickly recover

• Fido and Felix will be happy to know that the sensors are quite sensitive and—when placed effectively—can detect occupants as small as 6 or 7 pounds.

Behind the scenes, once all of the thermostats have been installed for effective mesh communication, the thermostats will be networked with the central plant’s building automation system so that they always know if the plant is operating in summer or winter mode and so that the plant can determine if its temperatures are sufficient to keep the residents comfortable.

What COVID-19 transmission prevention measures will Era take?

What other steps can we take as residents to minimize risk of transmission when work is being performed in our homes?

Looking for more ways to help save energy?

Check out our Top 9 Ways to Save Energy (and Money) for Your Condo to see how you can help.

Project Summary

Takoma Overlook Condominium is in the midst of undertaking some of the most comprehensive upgrades since its conversion to a Condominium Building. With Heating Systems that were well beyond their useful equipment life, the community made the strategic decision to take a step back and approach their operational needs as holistically as possible.

A comprehensive upgrade was designed which would incorporate significant energy efficiency improvements within and beyond the heating system replacements, not only saving the Association in future operational spending, but also making available significant sources of financing, grants, and rebates. Perhaps most significantly, the Montgomery County Green Bank creatively backed funding of over $1.2M for the project, and the Maryland Energy Administration approved the new plant for its Combined Heat & Power grant program.

The Takoma Overlook Heating Plant & Energy Efficiency Upgrade includes unique technologies ranging from high efficiency boilers and water heaters to advanced occupancy-sensing controls and a combined heat and power microturbine.

Progress Photos

Your Team

Your era building solutions team is fully dedicated to delivering not just industry-best building solutions but also a service experience that is unlike any other. Have questions, need help, or just want to chat? Please contact us any time.

Primary Representative / Point of Contact: Mike

Mike C. Cain
AEE “Legend in Energy” (AEE Legend), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Existing Building Commissioning Professional (EBCP)

Additional Active Era Team Members at Takoma Overlook