11 Commercial Energy-Efficient Solutions for a Better Return on Your Investment

Learning ways to conserve energy is so important with these changing energy-efficient regulations, rising energy costs, and aging electrical infrastructures. We have constructed a list of short term and long-term solutions to dramatically increase the efficiency of your facility, and even better, save thousands of dollars in utility expenses!

Short Term Solutions

Turn it off

Light Switch

Lights

It is important to turn off the lights when they are not in use. Occupancy sensors and timers are a great alternative, and can help reduce energy use significantly.

Laptop

Computers/Office Equipment

The typical desktop computer, monitor, and shared printer draw about 200 watts per day. A single monitor, if left on overnight, can draw about 100 watts per day. Most computer equipment have an energy saving mode, but you must make sure it is enabled. Not doing so, could add $30 or more to an annual energy bill.

Space Heater

Space Heaters

Space Heaters are quite the energy sucker, drawing a kilowatt or more of power. The need for a space heater may be a determining factor in the need for a more energy-efficient heating and cooling system.

Turn it down

Thermostat

HVAC Temperature Controls

During closed hours, turn down temperature settings in warm seasons, and up in cooling seasons. How to save on your AC bill this summer?

dimmer light switch

Common Area Lighting

If possible, dim your hallway lighting by 30 percent during daytime hours to reduce your energy consumption. Want to Learn More about Dimmers? LED lighting Control guide

Cleaning/Maintenance

heating and cooling HVAC unit

Regular HVAC Servicing

Making sure that your HVAC system is regularly cleaned and serviced can help to prevent costly heating and cooling bills.

Long Term Solutions

Commissioning

Commissioning

This is the process in which engineers diagnose a building’s energy system to ensure that they are operating appropriately and efficiently. Studies have shown that monitoring a building’s energy systems can lead to reductions of 10 to 15 percent in annual energy bills. Commissioning usually costs between 5 and 40 cents per square foot.

For a 50,000-square foot office building, that is equal to about $11,000 in savings per year!

T8 LED tube light

Lighting measures

If your facility uses T12 fluorescent lamps, replacing them with T8 lamps and ballasts can reduce your lighting energy consumption by 35 percent. When designing lighting for a new parking lot, for example, consider using low wattage LED lights, instead of high-pressure sodium lamps.

HVAC Unit

High-efiiciency HVAC units

A Highly efficient packaged air-conditioning/heating unit can reduce cooling energy consumption by 10 percent or more over a standard-efficiency, commercial packaged unit.

Ventilation

Demand controlled-ventillation

For Office spaces that have large swings in occupancy, energy can be saved by decreasing the amount of ventilation supplied by the HVAC system during low-occupancy hours.

Reflective Roof

Reflective roof installation

If your roof needs a recoating or a paint job, consider white, or another highly reflective color to minimize the amount of heat the building absorbs. This change can often reduce peak cooling demand by 15 to 20%

Shakir Williams
Shakir Williams

A true creative with a penchant for the spiritual and natural order. She loves the Earth, almost as much as she loves writing about it.

Join Our Mailing List

Receive special deals and more, right to your inbox

Need Assistance?