HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems are among the most energy-intensive components of any organization. Space cooling accounts for 15% of the average power utilized in commercial buildings, according to the U.S. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), most of the energy and expenditure that goes into powering HVAC is wasted – up to 30% in the average commercial building.
Reducing wasteful HVAC energy use is a crucial building element in the corporate world’s effort for better sustainability. It is also an excellent strategy to minimize running costs significantly. Business owners and managers may take many initiatives to increase sustainability and save free or low-cost expenses.
Businesses that seek to increase environmental sustainability while lowering operational expenses should examine the six HVAC energy-saving measures mentioned below. Working with a trained HVAC expert may make all these ideas much more successful.
- Reduce wasted energy by 5-10% by regularly changing HVAC filters
Filters that are dirty overworked HVAC systems by reducing airflow, causing poor indoor air quality and considerably more commercial HVAC maintenance concerns and expenses. HVAC filters should be checked every quarter. Finding an HVAC expert to do regular maintenance checks might be beneficial.
HVAC filters should be replaced once a month. HVAC filters should be changed every three months at the most. Switching out dirty filters is one of the simplest sustainability steps a business can take, and it can reduce wasted energy costs by 5-10%.
- Save hundreds of dollars a year with programmable thermostats
Temperature settings in the workplace are sometimes disputed. By concentrating on sustainability and cost-cutting, programmable thermostats alleviate much of the strain of adapting temperature settings to fit the preferences of a varied staff and client base.
Installing programmable thermostats can affect sustainability and waste energy in several ways. Building temperatures can run at higher or lower temperatures (depending on the season) when indoor spaces are not used, saving hundreds of dollars a year.
Programmable thermostats are available in 7-day versions, which are great for often changing schedules, and 5+2-day models, which are suitable for organizations that run on a regular five-day schedule and use less energy on weekends or other two-day periods.
Finding an HVAC expert with commercial experience may assist company owners, and managers in determining the most effective programmable thermostats for their organizations.
- Reduce commercial HVAC maintenance costs by 40% with regular quality maintenance
Commercial HVAC maintenance is like getting a car tuned up; both are required for peak operation. Regular quality maintenance on all HVAC systems and equipment guarantees that energy is not wasted owing to subpar, ageing, or unsatisfactory performance.
Taking a proactive approach to a building’s HVAC systems through regular quality maintenance can reduce commercial HVAC maintenance costs by up to 40%.4 But the key to unlocking that level of savings is finding an HVAC technician who can provide in-depth knowledge, work and advice crucial to adequately maintaining HVAC systems and equipment.
- Improve HVAC efficiency by 20% by properly sealing heating and cooling ducts
Simply sealing heating and cooling ducts may increase HVAC efficiency by 20%. Finding an HVAC expert with experience sealing ducts is the greatest method to optimize further efficiency.
Ducts can be sealed with mastic, foil tape, or a blown-in duct sealer like Aeroseal. Insulating the ducts improves the sealing effect even further. Priority should be given to exposed portions of the building, such as those under the structure or in unheated/cooled storage spaces.
- Improve efficiency by 5-20% with HVAC upgrades and/or HVAC replacement
Sometimes updating or replacing existing HVAC equipment and systems is the best method to enhance HVAC efficiency. Excessive energy and maintenance expenditures result from running HVAC systems and equipment over their recommended lifespans.
If an air conditioner or heat pump in a building is more than ten years old, it should be replaced with ENERGY STAR-certified appliances. Air conditioners and heat pumps that are ENERGY STAR-certified can improve sustainability and reduce energy costs by up to 20%.5 Furnaces or boilers older than 15 years old are also likely due for upgrades or replacement, and ENERGY STAR-certified furnaces and boilers offer high cost and energy savings.
Retrofitting existing packaged rooftop HVAC systems with modern digital economizer controls and/or sensors that bring in ventilation air only when needed, commonly known as demand-controlled ventilation, is another essential and effective approach for businesses to enhance energy efficiency significantly.
- Optimize HVAC sustainability by working with a qualified HVAC contractor
Work with a skilled HVAC professional to get the most out of any HVAC repair, upgrade, or replacement. The contractor can conduct routine inspections and advise company owners on when and how to perform the required maintenance.
Participating in a utility quality maintenance program, like the one offered by Scotty’s Heating and Air Conditioning Inc, is among the most effective ways to ensure the long-term viability of an HVAC system.