MEEP: Mechanical, Electrical, Energy & Plumbing Design Services Our MEP services are being used by leading architects and designers anxious to provide state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems design to clients who appreciate the quality of a job done right.

ELECTRICAL Many projects are designed to the National Electrical Code minimum requirements and some designers consider that an adequate standard. While safety is paramount in the design of any electrical system standard, the reality is that projects designed to minimum code standards are just that – minimum systems. It is our experience that a significantly better product can be provided to the ultimate user without a significant increase in cost. Incorporating an E3 design into your project insures that the job will be done right. We provide a comprehensive electrical spec and plans tailored to your clients’ current needs, with room to adapt and grow tomorrow.

IR Imaging shows an electrical hazard in this panel

Southwest Florida is regarded as the lightning capital of the world. Although not a code requirement, every electrical system should have a whole house surge suppression system. Incorporation of surge suppression at the design phase typically adds less than 3% to the cost of the electrical system and represents less than a quarter of one percent of the overall project cost. Larger houses often incorporate features not addressed or mandated by the code. Emergency generators, sophisticated lighting design and lighting control systems and home automation may place demands on the electrical system not anticipated by the Code. If your design includes a restaurant style kitchen, a standalone spa, a home office, a home theater, gym, or even just a wine cooler your project will benefit from a comprehensive electrical design and specification.

E3 deliverables include:

System sizing and load calculations based on real world requirements, not minimum code requirements. A comprehensive electrical plan and riser diagram specific to your project and appropriate for permitting. Distribution and sub-panel loads and layouts. Whole house surge suppression design and specification. Maximum acceptable voltage drop specs and conductor sizing specs. Backup power (generator) sub-system design and emergency panel layouts as requested. Lighting control system integration. Sophisticated power system control and monitoring.

HVAC

Properly designed heating and air conditioning systems should provide a clean comfortable environment. HVAC system design should have several objectives: (1) occupant comfort (2) low operational (energy) costs, and (3) healthy and consistent air quality. The heating and cooling requirements are obviously very different between the Arizona desert, the mountains of Colorado or the south Florida coast – and, so is HVAC system design. Often a client tells the designer that he/she wants “an oversized” air conditioner because they want to insure that the house is cold -- and many HVAC equipment dealers are happy to sell larger (more expensive) systems to unsophisticated homeowners. However, bigger is not necessarily better! Larger systems tend to “short cycle” and do not provide adequate moisture extraction. The client gets a cold house that is uncomfortably humid and prone to moisture and mildew problems. A properly sized HVAC system (in a humid climate like South Florida) can extract 50 gallons a day from a 5000 square foot house!

Using sophisticated computer modeling, consistent with ASHRAE Manual J calculation V8.1 methods we provide system sizing and performance specifications. We can provide extensive “what-if” analyses such as:  Does zoning provide advantages over two discrete systems?     What are the advantages of variable speed air handlers and two speed compressors?     Will an electrostatic filter or an ozone system maintain air quality?     How efficient and what will it cost to operate the HVAC system?     Will an ozone system eliminate mold?     Will the proposed design be noisy? E3 Design Group will calculate room-by-room heating and cooling loads and air flow requirements using Manual J calculations; layout duct system on floorplans, determine register locations and types, and estimate duct lengths; size supply and return duct systems in accordance with Manual D calculations; specify size and type of HVAC equipment most appropriate to your project and budget and climate.

PLUMBING

The technology of plumbing has changed little in the last 100 years – new, more cost effective materials have been introduced but little thought has been given to the specifics by the average designer. Code requirements promise functional plumbing. Often clients will spend thousands of dollars on a gourmet kitchen with a faucet with an undersized supply line that takes three minutes to fill a stock pot. Would your clients have spent an additional $15 on their kitchen if they had known to specify a larger supply line? Plastic drain lines are durable, cost effective and easily installed – but can be noisy when compared to traditional cast iron – and are therefore not appropriate to drain upstairs baths when the drain stack runs through the dining room wall. E3 will specify a cost effective plumbing system that will be done right. Let us do your plumbing riser.

ENERGY

How efficient is the design you are contemplating? Will this building envelope be safe, secure and energy efficient? E3 Design Group has developed proprietary energy modeling software tools that can help project the ongoing energy costs associated with a project or development. We have extensive experience with specialized insulation and sophististicated air tight building shells. We have designed homes for remote off grid locations using photovoltaics as well as grid interconnected PV systems. Interested in alternative building methods such as ICF? We have the experience and knowledge to get your project built using state-of-the art materials insuring the integrity and efficiency of your home or commercial building.

3960 Via Del Rey Bonita Springs, Florida 34134 USA Tel: 239.949.2405 - Fax: 239.949.3702 INFO@E3BUILDINGSCIENCES.COM