June 25, 2015

Would it surprise you know that an average of 30-40% of your electricity bill is being used up by your buildings heating, ventilating and cooling system?

That could be startling to a business owner struggling to stay out of the red. Many business owners are wondering how they can reduce that cost without sacrificing a comfortable environment inside of their building. The good news is there are ways, and not only will they save you money, the performance of your HVAC system will be greatly improved!

Investments that Result in Savings

One of the biggest steps you can take towards cutting your costs will require some investment. Load reduction is when you tighten up a structure to allow the least amount of outside air in, and none of your conditioned or heated air out. Adding insulation is one example of load reduction. For buildings with large, unused space between the top floor and ceiling, it is often a good idea to load as much insulation there as possible. Heat rises, so during the winter, all your comfortable hot air will just make its way out of the roof, taking your profits with it.

A major investment, but one that will pay you back quickly in utility savings, is replacing single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR qualified double panes. Those with a thermal break will give you a fantastic return on your investment.

Consider upgrading your lighting system. Many commercial buildings have a lighting density of around 3 watts per square foot. Any attempts at reducing the heat generated by that will make a significant difference in your utility spending. Use energy-efficient bulbs that do not emit much heat and avoid lighting that is decorative only.

Any major equipment or appliance that is being used should also be ENERGY STAR approved. Not only will they put less strain on your electrical use, but they should also have power saving options to help reduce any heat they generate. Kitchen equipment is one area to look at, as well as copiers and computers.

Speak With an HVAC Company You Can Trust

Have a qualified HVAC technician come and take a look at your existing HVAC system. It may be that investing in a new model may be your best option at reducing costs. An HVAC tech will evaluate your building’s load and let you know the right-sized unit you will need to optimize efficiency. While it may be tempting, don’t allow yourself to fall into the “bigger is better” trap with your HVAC system. Not only do they cost more to purchase, but they also cost more to run. And you will not see any difference in the comfort settings for your building.

Another thing you can discuss with your HVAC tech is a system that is able to recover the conditioned air inside the building and use it on the fresh air that is coming in.