Overlooked Ways to Reduce Your Commercial Building's Energy Costs

As a business owner, reducing energy costs should be a top priority. Not only does it save you money, but it's better for the environment too. Here are some overlooked ways I've found to dramatically reduce the energy usage in my commercial buildings.

Upgrade HVAC and Lighting Systems

The HVAC system and lighting are the biggest energy drains in any commercial building. Even minor upgrades to these systems can lead to major cost savings. Here are a few ways I've reduced costs:

• Install programmable thermostats to automatically adjust the temperature during unoccupied hours. This prevents wasting energy heating or cooling an empty building.

• Switch to LED lighting. LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. The upfront cost is higher but the long-term savings are massive.

• Add occupancy sensors that turn lights on and off based on detecting motion. No need to light unused rooms.

• Clean HVAC air filters monthly. Dirty filters put extra strain on the system, increasing costs.

These simple HVAC and lighting tweaks have reduced my buildings' energy usage by 20% or more. The upgrades paid for themselves in less than 2 years through energy savings.

Improve Insulation and Sealing

Proper insulation and sealing are essential for energy efficiency. Heat transfer through poorly insulated walls, ceilings, windows, and doors wastes a tremendous amount of energy. Here are some affordable fixes:

• Add weather stripping around doors and windows to seal air leaks. Apply caulk to seal penetrations made for plumbing, wiring, vents, etc.

• Increase wall and attic insulation to recommended R-values based on climate. Properly installed insulation can reduce heat transfer by up to 50%.

• Install double-paned windows, which have two layers of glass with gas or air between them. They insulate 2-3 times better than single-pane windows.

• Consider a "cool roof" painted white to reflect heat instead of absorbing it. This can lower roof surface temperature by up to 50F.

Properly sealing and insulating results in a more comfortable building and reductions in heating and cooling costs of up to 20%. It's one of the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures.

Take Advantage of Natural Lighting

When designed properly, natural sunlight can dramatically reduce the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours. Here are some tips:

• Position workspaces near windows to utilize daylight. Installing skylights and solatubes also increases natural light.

• Use light shelves on windows to bounce daylight deeper into the building interior and reduce glare.

• Install photosensors and dimmers to automatically reduce artificial lighting when ample natural light is available.

Studies show buildings with effective daylighting strategies use up to 30% less electricity for lighting. It costs very little upfront and the energy savings quickly pay back the investment.

Install an Efficient Water Heater

Heating water accounts for up to 18% of energy use in commercial buildings. To reduce costs:

• Insulate hot water lines to prevent heat loss during transport to fixtures.

• Set the water heater temperature only as high as needed, usually between 105-120F. This prevents wasting energy overheating water.

• Consider tankless on-demand water heaters that only heat water when needed, avoiding standby heat loss.

• Install solar water heating to utilize free and renewable energy from the sun.

With these tactics, I've reduced my commercial buildings' water heating costs by 30% or more. The benefits are bigger when combined with low-flow plumbing fixtures that use less hot water too.

Conclusion

The energy efficiency measures above provide a great return on investment through lower utility bills. I estimate they've collectively reduced my commercial buildings' energy costs by 25-40%, totaling over $20,000 in annual savings. The upgrades paid for themselves in under 3 years. Contact a qualified contractor to assess your building's energy efficiency opportunities. Investing in these overlooked ways to cut costs will benefit your bottom line and the environment.