8 Ideas For Making A Commercial Building More Energy Efficient

Owning a commercial building is expensive. Between the mortgage, insurance, vacancies, and upkeep, owners need new ways to keep costs down and revenue up. One of the best ways to increase the return on investment is to make the building more energy-efficient.

What it takes to achieve cost-saving efficiency can range from reasonable fees to large investments. What determines the focus for efficiencies is often a matter of cash outlay offset by the possible return. For older buildings, the initial costs are likely to be higher, and it may take longer to realize income from the changes. Here are some ideas for approaching a more efficient result one step at a time.

1. All talk

Optimizing efficiency is a group effort. No matter how much an owner wishes to reduce waste, without the renters getting on board, it can be a frustrating experience. Before making physical changes to the building, discuss goals with the renters.

Suggest ideas for how they and their employees can contribute to the building’s efficiency. Set goals and add incentives, so everyone wants to be part of the success. Well-educated inhabitants can achieve up to 10% in savings by focusing on the conservation of energy use alone.

2. Hot topics

Innovation in heating and cooling has made great strides in reducing energy use while increasing output. Have the building’s HVAC system thoroughly checked by a professional to look for energy leaks and spikes in consumption. Install automated, programmable controls to cycle systems during peak use and, depending upon square footage, save thousands of dollars on energy bills.

3. Peak performance

The roof of any building may well be the biggest culprit in energy consumption. Without adequate insulation, heating, and cooling a facility is an unparalleled energy drain. The roof’s material is also an inefficiency factor. When it’s time for a new one, consider options ideally suited to the local clime.

4. Clear solutions

Windows, too, play a role in temperature control. While installing new windows throughout the building may not be in the financial cards, as windows wear out or break, replace them with energy-efficient models designed appropriately for the weather type. Until then, hire a professional to re-caulk or add weather stripping and storm windows.

5. Warm waters

Depending upon the type of renters, the cost of heating water may be a significant contributing factor in energy use. Replace water heaters to mitigate costs associated with heating water. It’s not required to replace them all at once; choose replacement rather than an expensive maintenance visit. There are many options today for water heater technology, including solar and tankless water heaters.

6. Light up ideas

Today, energy efficiency features are an option for the vast majority of building fixtures, appliances, and computers. The Australian government encourages companies to use “less energy to achieve the same outcomes.” Energy productivity is doing more using the same or less energy. This initiative includes energy efficiency and other efforts at reducing energy costs, such as changing energy purchasing contracts, switching fuels, and relying on renewable energy and battery storage.

7. Lift it up

The elevators of today also offer efficiency options driven by strategies programmed into the software. Lifts that use a hoisting method consume more energy and are more expensive to maintain than charges using a traction system. Use new valve-block technology to upgrade hydraulic elevators and make them more efficient, if replacing it is not an option.

When it is possible to replace a hydraulic lift with a traction lift, owners benefit from reduced operating costs and elimination of a heat-generating machine room. These modern traction lifts have a regenerative drive that captures the downward energy the cab generates and converts it into electrical power. This power is then returned to the building’s energy grid.

8. Sensing change

Commercial buildings are unused a majority of the time—nights and weekends, for example. Using sensors to activate lights and climate controls will ensure the building is more efficient when empty or partially empty. Sensors can go beyond turning off lights and can control power strips supplying power to computers, monitors printers, and other office equipment that represent a 24 hour a day drain on utilities.

Summing up

Renovating buildings, updating equipment, and engaging renters in efficiency efforts is useful for reducing costs, but it is also good for the planet. As the government increasingly regulates construction and new manufacturing, commercial property owners must update antiquated equipment and constructs to meet these requirements. By replacing or updating equipment instead of bare-minimum repairs, owners will meet future mandates—until then, they will benefit from the cost-savings small changes can achieve.