Commercial buildings contribute significantly to energy waste. These establishments waste 30% of their energy supplies on average. In the long term, the figures translate into enormous expenses, decreased effectiveness, and poor return on investment. The energy efficiency of your building affects your utility costs, the performance of your employees, and the value of your property.
Luckily, you can do a few things to reduce energy expenditures and improve the energy efficiency of your building. Let's examine some effective techniques to enhance energy efficiency in different types of buildings.
How to Maximize Energy Efficiency in Traditional Buildings
There are numerous benefits to possessing a traditional building, but it can also have drawbacks. It might be difficult to keep historic buildings warm in the winter months. Fortunately, you can use these strategies to maximize energy efficiency.
1. Roof Maintenance and Insulation
The roof of a structure loses about a fifth of its heat. The roof of older buildings don’t have adequate insulation to prevent heat loss. Therefore, this is a good place to start. Loft insulation can be the most simple and economical strategy. This establishes and maintains the cool roof area required for a conventional building to effectively manage water vapor.
Moreover, look at your roof frequently, especially after bad weather, to inspect for missing, broken, or perhaps slipping slates that could expose your building to the weather. Hire a skilled roofing contractor to take care of any problem areas.
2. Window and Door weather-stripping
Defective doors and windows are a typical issue in old buildings, but they may be prevented by sealing exposed seams and cracks. Make sure you only utilize elegant colors which do not impact the property’s historic charm. Additionally, avoid over-sealing the structure to the point that moisture cannot exit.
How to Maximize Energy Efficiency in Modern Buildings
1. Energy-Saving Light Bulbs and Fixtures
Although lighting fixtures are important building necessities, they can significantly increase waste. You would end up spending more money on electricity than you expected. Try replacing the incandescent lights with energy-saving LED bulbs and upgrading the facility with energy-efficient fittings. Energy Star-certified fluorescent bulbs are strongly advised because of their increased durability and maintenance savings of 75%.
2. Make Use of Effective Heating and Cooling Equipment
It could be time to replace the heating and cooling systems in your building if they are more than ten years old, frequently break down, and your energy costs keep rising. The efficiency of an HVAC system is largely dependent on the correct sizing and setup.
For instance, if the existing A/C unit is too big for the structure, it won't actually remove humidity. Additionally, a unit that is too small won't be able to keep a suitable temperature even on the warmest days. Upgrading to a more modern, energy-efficient heating and cooling system may save you almost 20 -40% on energy bills.
Additionally, think about replacing your conventional tank-based water heater with a tankless water heater. These energy-efficient models use 30 to 50 percent fewer power than conventional water heaters.
3. Adding Light Sensors
Utilizing energy-saving light bulbs is not enough; you also need to have a system in place to manage the lighting. You could install sensors that switch on and switch off lights autonomously. Light sensors have a low cost and are excellent in regulating illumination and reducing waste. Switchplate sensors can be strategically installed to save money and raise your building's energy efficiency ratings.
Energy Efficiency In New York City
If you reside in New York City and require an energy consultant, look no further than Slattery Energy Consulting Group. The head of the business, Jim Slattery, can advise you on solutions for maximizing the energy efficiency of your building.