4 Tips for Improving Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings
As I’ve discussed before, you can improve the energy efficiency and performance of your commercial HVAC system by doing regular maintenance (cleaning coils and replacing them when they start to fail, etc.). But improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings goes beyond HVAC systems.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting represents the largest source of electricity consumption in commercial buildings, costing an estimated $38 billion per year. The National Renewable Energy Lab is working on a way to help commercial buildings save on lighting and ventilation costs by improving the accuracy of motion detection. https://energy.gov/public-services/commercial-buildings
In the meantime, here are 4 Tips for improving energy efficiency. Don’t forget to share this information with tenants and others in your buildings to improve overall energy efficiency.• Rethink your lighting.o Install occupancy sensors, which can reduce lighting costs by up to 40%.o If sensors aren’t an option, remove excess lighting not necessary for security and safety. Turn off lights in unoccupied areas and after hours.o Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, which can last up to 9 times longer.o Upgrade fluorescent lighting fixtures to high-efficiency equipment.o Replace incandescent lights in exit signs with LED fixtures to reduce costs by up to 95%.• Use sun-blocking solutions on windows.o Close the blinds when direct sunlight is heating up the room, use solar shade screens, or add sun-control film to windows. This reduces HVAC usage and lowers energy consumption.• Power down office equipment when not in use.o Energy costs can be cut by approximately 40% by using sleep-mode when computers, monitors, printers, and copiers are not in use. Turning off office equipment after hours or unplugging unused equipment reduces costs even more.o Automate the process using “smart” power strips, which sense the presence or absence of office workers and turn the attached equipment on or off accordingly.• Buy energy-efficient products.o ENERGY STAR certified equipment, including computers, monitors, and printers, are more energy efficient than other products, saving you money on utility bills, and helping protect the environment.For more tips on increasing your energy efficiency, visit DC’s Department of Energy & Environment website. https://doee.dc.gov/service/energy-tips-commercial-buildingsImproving energy efficiency lowers overall operating costs and saves valuable resources. To learn more about improving the energy efficiency of your HVAC system with new or replacement coils, contact us at 1-855-Coil-Now or sales@emergentcoils.com today.