A Few (of the best ) Energy Saving Tips
Cutting down on energy consumption is not just good for the environment, it is also good for your bottom line. While partnering with businesses both large and small, I have seen countless ways to reduce your energy footprint, ranging from simple habit improvements to large scale investments in better technology. Here are a few of the most effective strategies:
Unplug
Did you know that leaving machinery and appliances plugged-in at your office or business increases your energy consumption? In fact, according to the DOE, 5-10% of electricity is consumed by items that are always plugged-in but not always used. Additionally, ENERGY STAR products use as little as 1 watt during standby mode. I always recommend purchasing ENERGY STAR products when available.
Power strips are a great way to help control non-use energy consumption. You can see significant impacts on your monthly electricity bill just by turning the strip off when you are no longer using appliances or machinery.
Can’t reach the surge protector or power strip? Set a timer based on average use and hours of operation.
There are appliances you might be forgetting to consider. Fans are a great example. Being from the south, I appreciate the cooling effect fans have on hot and humid rooms. But what most people and clients don’t realize is that fans do not reduce the temperature of the room. They circulate air and, when you have long left, continue to consume significant amounts of energy!
Invest in a proper HVAC System
While investing in a newer, high-efficiency HVAC system, your business can save up to 40% in energy consumption when compared to the older models. Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) not only drives the biggest energy savings but also provides better temperature control for your employees inside your office.
Before you go and buy your new HVAC system, equipped with VRF, make sure that you speak with an expert and plan according to property size, area and function. You would be surprised how often I see top-of-the-line equipment implemented poorly and inefficiently.
Do the little things when managing your HVAC systems. Specifically, replace your filters. Your employees hate allergens and dirty air quality, but you will also hate the increased electricity bill. Also, before the seasons change, schedule a professional inspection of your HVAC units. Being unprepared for changes in temperature can reduce not only the efficiency but also the life of your HVAC system.
Finally, make sure to have your certified professional check for air leaks! No one wants to be heating the 100-degree Texas summer!
Lights for less:
With improvements in manufacturing speed and quality, installing energy-efficient lightbulbs is more affordable than ever. If you are unsure if your sockets can support the newer models, inquire about retrofit solutions.
Consider need before overloading the grid. Turning on your lights all at once will greatly reduce building efficiency. You can also turn on a task light, instead of overhead lighting. Leaving? Turn off your lights. Aside from consuming energy, lights create heat which results in your HVAC systems working harder, for longer.
Photocells are now viable options for outdoor lighting. I always recommend installing when you can.
Automation, Automation, Automation
Habit changes can be tough, especially at the employee level. That is why I recommend leveraging new improvements to energy management, especially as it relates to automation.
Smart Thermostats are programmable, internet-connected devices that automatically adjust temperatures and save when your business is closed or when you or your employees are away.
Lighting is the second-highest category of energy use and about 1/3 of that light may be unnecessary. Install lighting controls with occupancy sensors to reduce usage and mitigate human error (e.g. “I forgot to turn off the lights”).
Smart Power Strips can be purchased with motion detection systems that only power devices that need to stay on. This will prevent what I like to call “energy vampire appliances” from sucking down kWh when not in use or on standby.
Business Scheduling and Review
Ask yourself: “When do I start using energy? When does it become high-use?” By considering these questions, you can plan and schedule your energy consumption to improve usage and bottom-line efficiencies. As mentioned above, this means avoiding the “one all switch” to power up all your machines and systems. I have seen great reductions in peak demand value impact when businesses invest in operational adjustments that consider timing.
As always, I like to provide my readers with additional resources:
https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2017/10/f37/Energy_Saver_Guide-2017-en.pdf
http://www.ercot.com/about/conservation
https://www.puc.texas.gov/consumer/facts/Save.aspx
There is so much to learn and so many ways to improve how you manage energy consumption! ‘Till next time!
