Introduction
With energy costs continuing to rise, many business owners are looking for ways to reduce their utility bills. One often overlooked area that can lead to significant savings is rewiring and updating old, inefficient electrical systems. By upgrading to modern wiring and appliances, companies can greatly improve energy efficiency and cut costs.
In this comprehensive guide, I will discuss multiple methods to save on your business's energy through electrical rewiring and upgrades.
Assess Your Current Electrical System
The first step is performing an audit of your existing electrical infrastructure. There are several key factors to analyze:
Age of Wiring
- Older wiring such as knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring can be highly inefficient. Ideally, wiring should be less than 20 years old.
- Outdated wiring loses energy through heat dissipation and interference. New copper wiring maximizes conductivity.
Circuit Breaker Panel
- An antiquated breaker panel may lack capacity for additions and cause overheating. A modern breaker panel allows for expanding circuits.
Number of Circuits
- If you find yourself needing extension cords and power strips, it indicates insufficient circuits. Additional dedicated circuits reduce energy demand.
Lighting
- Incandescent and CFL bulbs should be upgraded to LED lighting, which uses at least 75% less energy. This alone can save thousands in annual electricity costs.
Rewire with Energy Efficiency in Mind
When planning a rewiring project, there are several key principles to integrate energy efficiency:
Dedicated Circuits
- Run separate circuits for each major appliance or area. This allows you to turn off unused sections and prevent overloading.
Higher Gauge Wiring
- Heavier gauge wire like 10 or 12 AWG minimizes energy loss compared to outdated 14 AWG wire.
220V Circuits
- Use 220V circuits for large appliances like water heaters, AC units and machinery. This allows more power with less energy wasted as heat.
Lighting Zones
- Group lighting circuits based on usage patterns, such as switching office and warehouse lighting separately. This facilitates turning off unused lights.
Lighting Controls
- Install occupancy sensors, timers and dimmers to automatically reduce lighting when possible.
Voltage Optimization
- Voltage optimizing devices can regulate excess voltage on the grid and redistribute wasted electricity.
Replace Energy Hog Appliances
Beyond wiring, upgrading old appliances is an impactful way to boost energy efficiency:
HVAC
- Old air conditioning and heating systems can be extremely inefficient. Replacing a 15 SEER unit with a new 22+ SEER system can reduce HVAC energy use by 30% or more.
Water Heater
- Swap an aging water heater for an on-demand or tankless model to save energy by only heating water as needed.
Office Equipment
- Replace computers, printers, copiers and other devices over 5 years old with Energy Star rated equipment.
Lighting
- As mentioned before, transition fully to LED lighting and implement lighting controls. The payback period is usually under 3 years.
Windows
- Energy efficient windows, especially Low-E models, significantly reduce HVAC costs by preventing heat gain/loss.
Leverage Incentives and Rebates
Check with your:
- Electric utility - Many offer rebates on upgrades like HVAC, insulation and lighting.
- State and local government - Tax incentives, loans and grants may be available for energy efficiency projects.
- Equipment retailers - Manufacturers frequently offer promo deals on efficient appliances.
Bundling these incentives can offset 30% or more of project costs.
Conclusion
Upgrading outdated electrical systems can be a highly cost-effective way for businesses to reduce their energy expenses. Following the guidelines outlined, including rewiring with efficiency in mind, replacing old appliances and leveraging incentives, can ultimately save thousands per year on electricity costs. A well-designed electrical renovation is an investment that will continue paying dividends for years to come through lower utility bills.