Energy bills are one of the few areas where employers can cut costs without sacrificing quality. And no matter how much energy you’ve cut in the past, there’s probably room for even more savings.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has a checklist of energy-saving tips for any commercial building. Here are some of the key pointers you can pass along to your facility staffers:
1. Eliminate 100% outside air
NREL says a big energy waster is 100% outside air ventilation in areas that don’t need it. Install modulating outside air dampers and return air systems to reduce outdoor air in the areas that don’t need 100% outside air.
2. Go small with boilers
It’s more efficient to operate smaller boilers than it is to use one larger boiler to meet a partial load, according to NREL. In fact, operating on high-fire settings and installing smaller boilers can save more than 7% of a typical facility’s energy load.
3. Install revolving doors
Revolving doors reduce the amount of unconditioned air entering a building by a factor of eight compared to swinging doors.
4. Consider exhaust air recovery
Install enthalpy wheels, energy recovery ventilators, and runaround heat recovery systems if you’re in a colder climate or an area with high utility rates.
5. Go with premium motors
Replace all standard efficiency motors with National Electrical Manufacturers Associationpremium motors. They can reduce energy usage by as much as 10%.
6. Curtail plug loads
Use occupancy sensor power strips for all non-critical office equipment, such as task lights, printers, scanners, radios and fans.
