In today’s world, sustainability is no longer just an option; it’s a necessity. Controlled Air has long been a leader in delivering full-service energy solutions to clients across the New England area, bringing expertise in designing and engineering advanced energy systems – including gas heat pumps (GHPs), co-generation combined heat and power (CHP), microgrids, and energy management systems.

Since joining Yanmar Energy Systems in 2022, Controlled Air has been able to expand its operations and accelerate its mission, furthering its founder’s vision of creating smarter, more efficient energy solutions. Now, as an integral part of Yanmar, the company continues to push the boundaries of energy innovation, helping businesses across North America reduce emissions and optimize energy use.

Vincent Chiocchio, President of Controlled Air and Yanmar Energy Systems North America, underscores their mission: “Building sustainability is the way of the future. We design, engineer, and install systems tailored to each building, ensuring long-term performance. And beyond installation, we continue to maintain them for the life of the building.”

Energy Efficiency at Elm City Bioscience Center

One of Controlled Air’s standout projects is the transformation of 55 Church Street in New Haven, Connecticut, home to the Elm City Bioscience Center. This office building has been reimagined as an energy-efficient space tailored for life science companies.
Darlene Reilly, Director of Real Estate at The Hurley Group, explains, “Our goal was to create an asset in downtown New Haven that supports the growth of the life science community. Controlled Air has worked with us to maintain systems for our existing office tenants while also designing and building solutions to accommodate new life science tenants.”

By integrating state-of-the-art heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions, Controlled Air improved energy efficiency and reduced the building’s operational costs and carbon footprint. “The more energy-efficient our buildings are, the lower our operating costs – and the greater the reduction in carbon emissions, helping to create a better planet for everyone,” Reilly adds.

HVAC and Energy Management with Advanced Technologies

One of the key innovations implemented at the facility is the use of Yanmar’s GHPs. These systems operate on natural gas, significantly reducing electrical demand while maintaining high efficiency. Todd Arnold, Senior Project Manager at Controlled Air, explains, “By using these GHPs, we’re creating a more sustainable future for both our clients and the wider New Haven community.”
Controlled Air also introduced Yanmar Hydrobox technology to design a chiller plant, which integrates seamlessly with the GHPs. The Yanmar Hydrobox delivers chilled or hot water using its powerful VRF heat exchanger, transferring the energy created by the Yanmar GHP to any hydronic or boiler system.

“The Yanmar Hydrobox communicates seamlessly with the GHP outside. All three Hydroboxes in the system work together, operating at peak efficiency based on demand,” Arnold explains.

Controlled Air’s integration of Yanmar’s GHP technology at 55 Church Street serves as a model for future energy-efficient building projects.
“In this application, instead of relying on the building’s limited electrical supply to power air handlers for lab buildouts or office spaces, we’re able to utilize Yanmar GHP technology. By using natural gas as the primary energy source instead of electricity, we can reduce strain on the building’s power infrastructure while maintaining efficient climate control,” Arnold adds.

Furthermore, Controlled Air’s energy management solutions incorporate advanced analytics, allowing facility managers to optimize their energy use based on real-time data. This predictive approach reduces costs while enhancing system reliability.

Smart, Efficient, and Quiet Chiller Systems

Another major component of the renovation at this site involved upgrading the building’s aging chiller system. Controlled Air replaced outdated 1970s chillers with modern chiller packages featuring turbo-core compressors. Unlike traditional oil-based systems, these advanced compressors use magnetic bearings, improving efficiency, durability, and significantly reducing noise levels – an essential factor in a busy urban environment.

Arnold explains: “What’s great about these chillers is their turbo core compressors, which use magnetic bearings. This design enhances efficiency and extends the lifespan compared to a standard scroll compressor.”
These upgraded chillers integrate seamlessly with the building’s infrastructure, minimizing disruptions during installation. Predictive maintenance and remote monitoring ensure operational reliability, reducing the risk of unexpected downtime.

Broadening the Reach of Energy Efficiency

The success of the Elm City Bioscience Center project serves as a model for other commercial buildings looking to enhance energy efficiency. Controlled Air’s scalable solutions can be tailored to various industries, including healthcare, education, and manufacturing.

Arnold states, “We’ve always looked for new technologies and solutions to tackle our clients’ everyday challenges. Innovation is part of what we do – we’re constantly exploring new approaches to help clients overcome obstacles, whether in building operations or system design.”

As more organizations look for ways to reduce carbon emissions and lower operational costs, Controlled Air remains a trusted partner in delivering innovative energy solutions. Their work is contributing to a larger movement towards environmentally responsible commercial properties nationwide.

Commitment to a Sustainable Future

The collaboration between Controlled Air and Yanmar Energy Systems demonstrates the potential of innovative energy solutions to transform commercial buildings. By adopting cutting-edge technologies, Controlled Air is setting new standards in commercial building sustainability.

Vincent Chiocchio adds, “Imagine transforming buildings into models of efficiency and sustainability. Partnering with Yanmar has given us the ability to innovate and develop new technologies that can help reduce energy use in any commercial building or facility.”

As the industry moves toward a more sustainable future, Controlled Air continues to lead by example, proving that with the right solutions, buildings can be models of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. With a commitment to next-generation energy solutions, Controlled Air and Yanmar Energy Systems are driving real change in sustainable commercial development across North America.

Learn more about Controlled Air’s sustainable energy solutions at:
https://www.controlledair.com/