“Winters often leads to inefficient energy usage.”

Did you know, that space heating alone accounts for 42% of a commercial building’s energy consumption? A building that is not energy efficient is not only expensive, but it also has serious environmental impacts. The increased energy usage also puts you at the risk of non-compliance with NYC Local Laws such as the NYC Local Law 87 or NYC Local Law 97. The Cotocon Group lists down 5 ways to reduce cooling costs in commercial buildings.

Whether you’re a property manager, building owner or a developer, you can save a significant amount of money if you make your building or commercial space more energy efficient. One way of doing this is by ensuring that your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible. HVAC systems contribute around 40% to a commercial building’s energy consumption, and that figure is only set to double in the coming years.

The Cotocon Group lists down ways to reduce your Energy Costs this Winter

1- Install an Energy-Efficient HVAC System – The first place to start when cutting cooling costs is with the HVAC system itself. If your commercial system is more than 15 years old, it is probably time for a replacement, as it is likely to start leaking and degrading to the point that the cost of repairs to fix the system are greater than the cost of getting a new system.

2- Decide Whether to Have an Energy Audit – An Energy audit is a great way to ensure that all your equipment are working to their optimal efficiency. A trained energy assessor from The Cotocon Group can evaluate it for issues like insufficient insulation or a heating system that might warrant replacement—and help develop a plan to improve efficiency and lower your energy bills. This is a small investment that can reduce your energy costs significantly.

3- Invest in Insulation – Within the building and construction industry, the general evidence supports that well-insulated structures are capable of reducing energy output by up to 10 percent. In commercial spaces, 10 percent can add up to significant cash, especially when looked at from a year-over-year perspective. Go for building Insulation while construction.

4- Keep Windows and Doors Well Sealed – Small cracks in door and window sealing can lead to a significant flow of air into and out of your building or home. As a result, your HVAC system runs more, leading to poor energy efficiency and elevated cooling costs–factors exacerbated in the extreme heat of summer. Consider having a professional blower door test conducted to indicate how airtight the building is and if it is properly sealed.

5- Go for Building Commissioning – Commissioning ensures that a building’s operation is optimized. That is, it operates at least as well, if not better, than the designer intended (and the owner expects), and that building staff are prepared to operate and maintain its systems and equipment. Commissioning can uncover many flaws or issues, including faulty design or construction. The commissioning process — comprised of commissioning, monitoring performance, and maintaining performance—reveals waste in energy consumption and identifies its causes. By identifying and quantifying it, you can eliminate this waste, either by changing how the building systems operate (such as reducing the number of air changes) or in extreme cases, changing the building systems themselves. Commissioning existing buildings can provide an energy savings of 10% to 15%. The Cotocon Group provides professional commissioning services.

To learn more about reducing energy, get in touch with the team at The Cotocon Group. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our services.