With commercial building owners consistently searching for new ways to save monthly revenue and cut maintenance costs, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units often go unnoticed as key energy drains. On average, 15% of energy used to power a commercial building is pulled from HVAC systems, with upwards of 30% of energy used by that system lost to waste, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Emilygrene Corp. suggests that commercial building owners and operators reduce the amount of energy used by their HVAC systems not only to “go green,” but to reduce energy costs and save money. When working with a qualified HVAC technician, commercial business owners are able to take advantage of simple tips that can drastically reduce monthly energy bills and require little to no expense.
Regularly Change Filters
Five to ten percent of wasted HVAC energy usage can be re-captured by changing out filters every one to three months. When HVAC filters become weighted down by dust and debris, they also become less efficient, cost substantially more to use, and result in poor air quality. Any commercial business interested in cutting immediate energy usage should change their HVAC filters once per month, once every three months at the longest. A HVAC technician can schedule monthly or quarterly check-ups for your HVAC system and ensure that air filters are changed regularly before they cost your business money.
Programmable Thermostats
One of the most detrimental energy drains for a commercial business is products and systems that run consistently, without consideration to peak business hours or seasons. A programmable thermostat can be easily installed to ensure that business owners no longer pay for excess HVAC energy, such as fluctuations caused by a diverse workforce or running HVAC units when the building is not in use. Both 7-day and 5+2-day models exist to match the needs of your business, that increase or decrease temperatures based on the season, time of day, or day of the week (for companies that use a 5-day work week). A HVAC technician can install the programmable thermostat best for your building and, according to Energy Star, save hundreds of dollars per year.
Regular Quality Maintenance
HVAC energy costs can be cut by 40 percent with regular quality maintenance from a knowledgeable HVAC technician. It is very important to have HVAC units checked for substandard, faulty, or aging components that cause additional energy costs to maintain functionality. Additionally, system failures due to lack of regular maintenance can drastically increase expenses for your business in repairs and lack of productivity. When your business invests in regular quality maintenance (or preventative maintenance), a HVAC technician can replace individual components as needed and provide work and advice that will keep your HVAC system up and running without interruption.
Sealing Heating And Cooling Ducts
An experienced HVAC technician can advise your business on the need to properly seal existing heating and cooling ducts, especially in unprotected areas such as underneath the building or unheated/uncooled areas. Working with a skilled technician ensures that your existing ducts are sealed with the best material to maximize energy efficiency. Materials include mastic, foil tape, or blown-in duct sealant such as Aeroseal. This additional measure is both cost-effective and, according to Energy Star, can increase HVAC efficiency by 20 percent.
HVAC Upgrades And/Or Replacement
Along the same lines as regular preventative maintenance to replace individual faulty components, depending on the current state of your HVAC system, your business could greatly benefit from major upgrades or system replacement. While preventative maintenance can maintain a HVAC system and possibly extend the lifespan of individual units, running a system past its suggested lifespan can lead to ballooning energy and maintenance costs. When a commercial air conditioner or heat pump is past 10 years old, replacing these parts with Energy Star-certified products can reduce energy costs by 20 percent. Furthermore, a retrofit to rooftop HVAC units with advanced controls and sensors to bring in air only when needed (demand controlled ventilation) can ensure that your improved energy efficiency savings remain in play for years to come.
Each of these tips, provided by Pacific Gas & Electric, are available to your commercial business through a licensed and experienced HVAC contractor/technician. Emilygrene Corp. is now proud to offer HVAC maintenance and installation services that can assist your business with ensuring your HVAC system is energy efficient and saving you money.
Source: PG&E
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