Old buildings are great – they are physical representations of our history, remind us how far our community has come, and, let’s face it, they just don’t make ‘em like they used to.
While many of us love ogling a historic-looking building and subscribe to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy, there is one thing lacking in old buildings:
Energy efficiency.
If you work or live in an older building, listen up. Here’s your guide to applying new energy-saving tricks to old buildings while still maintaining that historical charm.
The Old Reality
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of May 2018, 18% of the energy used in the United States goes toward powering commercial buildings. Another 32% goes toward industrial activities and 20% powers residential homes.
Unfortunately, research has shown that about 30% of the energy used in commercial buildings is wasted. In fact, by implementing a few strategies to increase energy efficiency, commercial buildings could eliminate that wasted margin.
Mindset Matters
Energy use is practically invisible. Unless you’re staring into the lights above your head contemplating the amazing way they function, you’re likely not thinking about your energy consumption.
That’s why it’s so important to start with a mindset shift. Whether you want to see a drop in your energy bill before the end of the year or you want to make saving 30% on your total energy expenses in 2019 a New Year’s resolution, make a deliberate choice to reduce how much energy your buildings use.
One way many property owners have found success in making this mindset shift is by looking at the actual numbers in their energy bills. How much energy did your building use last month? How about the same time last year? By comparing monthly usage statements – especially for months that have had similar weather patterns – you can get a concrete idea of what your energy consumption has been.
Then, you can deduct 10% and set that as your next month’s goal. Once you achieve that goal, cut back another 10%.
You can also use the “Point, Aim, Shoot” approach to develop a more comprehensive strategy for setting and meeting your energy efficiency goals.
Not sure how or where to cut your energy use? Let’s dive into that now.
Establish Best Practices
If it’s your place of business or house, you set the rules! Whether we’re talking about commercial or residential property, the person who pays the utility bill typically carries the most clout. This means that you’re in the perfect position to establish some best practices that will help reduce your building’s energy use and thereby lower your energy bill.
Start by creating a list of best practices you want your team to follow for operations and maintenance around monitoring, lighting, and office equipment. Some of my favorites include:
- Stopping by your building at night to see what’s on after-hours that shouldn’t be. This can be eye-opening for building owners and occupants.
- Establish power-on and power-down times for all office equipment.
- Schedule quarterly maintenance checks to ensure all heating, cooling, ducting, and lighting equipment is working efficiently and is free of damage.
- Establish a “No eyes, no lights” rule so that any room that is unoccupied is also unlit.
- Use “smart” power strips that ensure electronics and other equipment that are always plugged in are not drawing power when they’re not in use.
- Install UV window films, shades, or blinds to help maintain internal temperatures and to relax the demand on your heating and cooling systems.
Next, have a chat with everyone in your building about the importance of increasing awareness surrounding energy use. Introduce them to the list of best practices you’ve put together and encourage everyone to take these strategies to heart; most of these strategies will be useful to your team in their own homes, as well, and could save them money on their personal energy bills.
If you’re feeling generous, you could also incentivize good behavior and success. For example, if everyone bands together and helps you achieve your goal, provide lunch for the entire team or raffle off a smart thermostat. Ask for recommendations for incentives in order to build individual investment in the process.
“Retro” Is the New Cool
Retrofitting, that is.
As you begin to make mental and behavioral shifts toward reducing your energy use, prioritize strategies that will give you the biggest bang for your buck. Improvements that require capital expenditure but result in quick and dramatic ROI are your best bet.
Changes that take 2-4 years or less to recoup the investment are going to yield the biggest results. For example, retrofitting lighting fixtures with low-energy LED options can significantly reduce your energy costs over time.
Commercial lighting accounts for 44% of energy use and is one of the easiest pieces of the pie to control. In fact, simple control measures could reduce your lighting expenses by 10 to 30%!
Eliminate lamps that are redundant or inefficient due to overhead lighting.
- Replace bulbs and/or fixtures with high-efficiency options.
- Rearrange furniture or use window shades or films that block the sun’s energy but allow light to pass through in order to maximize natural lighting during the day.
- Set lights in common areas on a timer so they always turn off at a specific time of day even if the last person to leave forgets.
What other ways could you reduce your lighting use? Get the other people in your building talking and brainstorming options to foster a team attitude toward solving your energy use problem.
Monitoring Is Key
Sure, it’s nice and convenient to use the “set it and forget it” method for space heating and cooling. But that method leads to a great deal of energy waste.
Instead, make it a habit to check your building’s thermostat in the morning, at midday, and in the evening. If you live in a region of the U.S. that experiences dramatic temperature swings from morning to midday, adjusting your heating or cooling settings accordingly can save some major kilowatts.
If you are willing to make small to moderate investments, consider installing smart technology solutions. Smart thermostats and apps make the process of saving on your electric bill less labor-intensive without spending a fortune on building controls.
Similarly, meeting rooms and offices that are heated or cooled independently are often neglected. For example, it’s common to hold a team meeting in a conference room and to set the thermostat to 65 to make sure everyone is comfortable. However, most people leave the air conditioning on when they leave the room, which means the room stays nice and chilly with no one there to enjoy it.
Monitoring the actual needs of your heating and cooling systems can go a long way toward reducing excess energy use and lowering your energy bill.
By starting to take these energy-saving measures, you’ll begin to see significant results in the form of capital savings, which can be applied to larger projects or those that require a bigger investment. Making energy-efficient improvements also boosts morale as upgrades make occupants happier and increase the value of your property.
By shifting your mindset toward thinking of energy efficiency as a process that requires continuous improvements and optimization, you can reach your energy savings goals and share the pride with your entire community.
If you’re not sure where to begin, talk with a trusted energy advisor to create a plan that is perfectly tailored to you and your properties.
Resources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. How the United States uses energy. (2018). https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=us_energy_use
- Stauffer, N. W. (2013). Reducing wasted energy in commercial buildings. http://news.mit.edu/2013/reducing-wasted-energy-in-commercial-buildings
- Energy Star. Buildings & Plants: Save energy. https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/save-energy
- Lucia Power. LMP-Tx. (2018). The Right Approach for Your Energy Efficiency Projects: The Case for Comprehensive Solutions. https://www.lmptx.com/blog/the-right-approach-for-your-energy-efficiency-projects
- Energy Star. Buildings & Plants. Low- and no-cost energy-efficiency measures. https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/facility-owners-and-managers/existing-buildings/save-energy/stamp-out-energy-waste
