02 Jan The Top 7 Ways Building Owners Can Reduce Energy Use and Save Money!
We are listing down the top 7 ways of Reducing Energy Usage in Buildings
7 –Adjust Ventilation.
Reduce exhaust and outdoor-air ventilation rates within codes. First take a look at the fans, and adjust ventilation in unoccupied and low-density areas to reduce the ventilation to a practical, yet comfortable level. Or, Go for an Energy Audit.
6. Evaluate After-Hour Usage
Speak with your tenants to find out if they’re actually using their spaces during the lease-required operating hours. Adjust building operating hours to reflect actual tenant usage, instead of running base systems at all times.
5- Install Renewable Energy Systems
As Renewable Energy Systems become more affordable and prevalent, dependence on renewable energy and passive design will increase! Pursue a passive house design, evaluate the feasibility of renewable systems (solar panels, cogeneration systems, etc.), and much more!
4- Curb Water Consumption.
With most building owners focusing only on electricity, water consumption and overuse can be forgotten or taken for granted. The first step to reducing water consumption is to locate the source of any leaks and immediately have them fixed. Minor leaks can contribute to substantial overuse if prevalent throughout the building and should not be overlooked.
Fortunately, simple fixes can help conserve water. Fixtures like faucets can be fitted with aerators to restrict flow, while low-flow toilets use approximately half a gallon less per flush.
3- Use High-Efficiency Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
The average person thinks nothing of buying a few light bulbs, but when you have an entire building to tend to, this really adds up. LED bulbs are longer lasting and use only a quarter of the energy conventional bulbs do.
In addition to this, LED lights radiate less heat, which can help further reduce the amount of money you spend on air conditioning. Because they need to be replaced less frequently, you’ll save money by diverting maintenance services to where they’re more vitally needed
2- Check That Equipment Is Functioning as Designed.
Regularly inspect all equipment and controls to ensure they are functioning as designed. Double-check Energy Management System (EMS) programming to make sure that operations are optimized. One firm changed an EMS software programming error from “and” to “or” and saved $3,700 annually.
1- Upgrade Systems and Equipment.
The most important step is upgrading old systems and appliances currently in place. It begins with your HVAC. Old HVAC systems are not only monetarily inefficient, but they may do a poor job in managing air quality. For smart building owners, this is unacceptable when you consider that many of these systems also don’t give you enough control across separate portions of a building.
You should also gradually replace any appliances, from washing and vending machines to dishwashers and refrigerators. These upgrades alone could see you saving money each and every month.
It must be said that this is an investment, but don’t let the initial expense dissuade you, as the return on investment (ROI) is considerable. In addition to the cost savings on your monthly energy bills, the value of your property will increase.