Is energy waste inhabiting your facility? You can try to ignore it, but you'll feel its presence when you see your bills. While it can be hard to spot, energy waste can visit your facility in different forms — day and night. Here are six ways costly energy waste may be haunting your budget right now:
- After-hours HVAC. Keeping your building comfortable during operating hours makes good business sense. Maintaining comfort settings after hours wreaks HVAC havoc on your energy budget for no reason.
- Phantom loads. Computers, printers and other electronic devices continue to draw power even when turned off or not in use.
- Chilling air leaks. Drafty windows, gaps around exterior doors and poor insulation let heat escape and cold air creep into your facility.
- Strangled airflow. Clogged filters and blocked registers can restrict airflow, causing weak vent output, uneven temperatures and higher energy bills.
- Light in uninhabited spaces. Even high-efficiency lights can waste a disturbing amount of energy illuminating unoccupied rooms.
- Falling efficiency. Even with proper maintenance, the efficiency and performance of energy-using systems and equipment deteriorate over time.
No fear energy efficiency
While the cost of energy waste can be frightening, don't be spooked by the cost of investing in efficiency improvements. There are plenty of affordable upgrade options available that will help put a stop to energy waste and put your fears to rest.
Smart thermostats optimize savings and convenience by automatically adjusting temperatures to save energy and ensure comfort according to your operating schedule. You'll also have access to advanced features, such as remote control and self-programming.
Weatherization. Seal air leaks in windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping. Contact a qualified contractor to ensure that your building is properly insulated.
Advanced power strips and smart plugs. These clever devices automatically shut off power to plugged-in electronic equipment when it’s turned off or not in use, eliminating phantom power waste.
Lighting controls. Occupancy or vacancy sensors automatically turn lights on when someone enters a space and turn them off when everyone is gone. Place them in areas with varying occupancy, such as restrooms, meeting rooms and break areas.
ENERGY STAR® appliances and equipment. If you have older HVAC systems, water heating or other energy-using equipment, upgrade to new ENERGY STAR models, which are independently tested to meet strict efficiency requirements. This swap may require an initial investment, but the energy savings will more than cover that cost over time. Plus, there may be incentives available to help pay for the upfront costs.
Give yourself some extra peace of mind with a business energy audit. An energy professional will inspect your facility and provide you with a list of cost-saving measures that you can implement to help rid your facility of energy waste once and for all.
