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Follow the links below for ways to start saving now.
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| The Tip List: |
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Also see our tips on operating a "green" office.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting to reduce energy use as much as 50 percent
- Replace standard T12 lamps with T8 high efficiency fluorescent lamps for an energy reduction of two to five percent
- Replace High Pressure Sodium (HPS), Metal Halide (MH) and Mercury Vapor (MV) with T5 fluorescent lamps for maximum efficiency
- Turn off as much lighting as possible during times your building is unoccupied
- Upgrade to LED exit signs
- Use timers, photocells dimmers and Energy Management Systems for light control
Tighten your Building
Envelope
- Roof and Walls
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- Insulate - an insulation factor of R38 for ceilings and R11for walls is recommended
- Roof insulation is especially important - the majority of energy losses are through the roof area
- Provide airflow through the roof space - your heating and cooling systems will operate more efficiently
- Repair roof and exterior wall damage. A weather-tight roof keeps insulation dry and effective. Seal exterior wall cracks to prevent cold air infiltration in winter and heat gain in summer.
- Windows and Doors
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- Choose insulated fiberglass, steel or wood doors for greater energy efficiency
- Check exterior door seals and repair them as needed
- Double pane windows are more efficient than single pane, but -regardless of window type - caulking and sealing the frame can increase efficiency. Check the seal around the glass, too, and repair any damage.
- Prevent heat loss by using double-door entries. They should be large enough so the doors to the outside are not open at the same time as the doors to the inside.
- Year-round
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- Replace old heating and cooling systems (older than 25 years) with high efficiency equipment
- Control all heating and cooling units that serve a common area together so that they are not 'fighting' each other (one heating and one cooling the same space at the same time)
- Use replacement air systems so as not to draw conditioned air from the rest of the facility through the exhaust system
- Keep ducts and filters clean so HVAC equipment can operate at maximum efficiency and lower cost
- Manage the building temperature by turning the air conditioning up and the heat down during unoccupied periods. An Energy Management System allows you to program HVAC operation based on your business hours and the season; it can significantly reduce energy use and cost.
- Summer
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- Control sunlight entering the building by using reflective solar window treatments or blinds
- Frequently check outdoor AC coils and remove debris
- Reduce cooled space by closing off storage and non-public areas
- Avoid overcooling. Set the thermostat at the highest comfortable setting. During non-business hours, raise the thermostat five to 10 degrees to reduce energy costs by as much as five to seven percent.
- Upgrade to a high efficiency AC unit. Look for a system with a high SEER rating. The higher the SEER rating, the lower the cost to operate.
- For larger cooling systems, 10 tons and above, consider purchasing a system that includes an outdoor air economizer cycle. Economizers can provide 'free' space cooling by shutting off the air conditioner compressor and bringing in outdoor air when temperature and humidity conditions allow.
- Winter
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- Clean or replace filters frequently and perform maintenance as required to keep the furnace in good working condition
- Avoid overheating. Set the thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting. For every one degree decrease in temperature, you could reduce heating costs by two percent.
- Warehouse areas may only require minimal heat for freeze protection. Spot heating these areas with radiant space heaters can be an effective way to lower costs.
- Use zone controls to keep unoccupied spaces at a lower temperature or seal them off from the rest of the building.
- If the heating system is a boiler, install a boiler reset control to manage water temperature and improve efficiency. Be sure the boiler has a vent damper. A vent damper can achieve up to 10 percent annual fuel savings.
- For every two psi reduction in pressure, there is a potential one percent energy savings
- Receiver tanks allow a volume of air to be stored, reducing the operating time of the compressor. Locate the tanks near equipment requiring the largest volume.
- Consider using an air dryer. Condensation in the air system leads to equipment operation problems and maintenance issues, yet opening the traps to blow off condensation adds substantially to the cost of energy.
- If multiple air dryers are used, determine the air quality required and shut down excess dryer capacity to control energy costs.
- If practical, turn off equipment when it is not in use
- Replace old equipment. Older office equipment and process machinery uses motors and control systems that are substantially less energy-efficient than current models.
- Chillers systems use significant energy. Determine whether the system is required on cooler days. Shut down for periods of time when weather permits to reduce energy cost.
Additional Tips:
Visit the federal government's EnergyStar Web site (www.energystar.gov) for more information
on how your business can become more energy efficient:
Our Energy Partnership & Services group can show you more ways to reduce your energy costs. Learn more!
