Abstract: A building automation system is disclosed. Sensors positioned in the building measure a corresponding load parameter. Each load parameter is indicative as to a current electric utility demand of the building based on current energy consumption of the loads. A controller monitors each load parameter to determine whether any load parameter deviates beyond the corresponding load parameter threshold. The controller activates a graduated action when each load parameter deviates beyond the corresponding load parameter threshold to automatically adjust the current energy consumption of the corresponding load that is deviated beyond the corresponding load parameter threshold to maintain the current electric utility demand within an electric utility demand threshold. The electric utility demand threshold is a peak demand allocated to the building by an electric utility to ensure that the peak demand for energy consumption of the building is satisfied.

Abstract: An exhaust control system (72) for a commercial or institutional kitchen exhaust system (32) is disclosed in which the exhaust fan speed is optimized for the amount of cooking heat and cooking by-product generated by the cooking units, as well as for comfort in the kitchen (12). Kitchen comfort is determined by sensing temperature, humidity, noxious gases, smoke, odor, or some combination thereof. In particular, exhaust air temperature can be used by the control system (72) to modulate fan speed from a minimum value to a maximum value based on the minimum and maximum temperatures that define a particular temperature span. During operation, the control system (72) continues to monitor environmental parameters of the kitchen (12) to determine if the current temperature span provides optimal performance. Upon determining that the current temperature span is no longer the optimal one, the control system (72) operates the exhaust system (32) according to a different temperature span.