It’s almost time for another tough winter season. For some customers, electricity rates are expected to increase by 20% this winter, due to the demand for heating services. While it won’t be as bad as last season, this will still hurt business owners. Fortunately, we have some heating savings solutions for both small and large businesses to help reduce energy costs this season.
Roof Top Unit Upgrades
One of the most important measures to improve are roof top units. New intelligent, sensor-based systems can collect and read information from your building to optimize the heating, cooling, economizer, and ventilation functions of your rooftop unit. This technology works by monitoring the air coming in and out of the system. Depending on the air quality, it speeds up or slows down the fans and can bring in more or less outside air. This saves eIt’s almost time for another tough winter season. For some customers, electricity rates are expected to increase by 20% this winter, due to the demand for heating services. While it won’t be as bad as last season, this will still hurt business owners. Fortunately, we have some heating savings solutions for both small and large businesses to help reduce energy costs this season.
Roof Top Unit Upgrades
One of the most important measures to improve are roof top units. New intelligent, sensor-based systems can collect and read information from your building to optimize the heating, cooling, economizer, and ventilation functions of your rooftop unit. This technology works by monitoring the air coming in and out of the system. Depending on the air quality, it speeds up or slows down the fans and can bring in more or less outside air. This saves energy from the motor and conditioning the outside air. On average, these systems reduce energy costs by up to 40%, while also reducing maintenance costs on your unit’s equipment.
Variable Speed Hot Water Pumps
In hot water systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs) can be installed to control the speed of the motor, optimizing it to run onlyHeating Savings For Your Business when needed. Without VFDs, motors, fans, and other systems run constantly when turned on. Depending on the application, VFDs can save up to 60% of that unit’s energy consumption while increasing the lifespan of the unit and reducing maintenance fees.
Pipe Insulation
Applying insulation to hot water pipes reduces heat loss and can raise water temperatures. This will allow you to lower your water temperature settings by approximately 4°F, which can save about 2% on your annual energy bills. Plus, adding insulation is a relatively inexpensive operation, with a typical payback between 3-6 months.
Duct Sealing and Insulation
Duct sealing can prevent hot air in the winter and cold air in the summer from escaping your building. A well-sealed building envelope will improve energy efficiency by keeping your building at the desired temperature for longer without straining your HVAC system. The more air that can escape within a building envelope or duct system, the more your HVAC will have to work. That said, duct sealing and insulation can save up to 20% on annual energy bills with a typical payback of less than 2 years.
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats provide full control over your heating and cooling systems. A programmable thermostat uses sensors to determine the temperature in an occupied or unoccupied space and adjusts the temperature to desired levels. Systems can be controlled to turn on in the morning or turn off at the close of business automatically. Temperature settings can be controlled to stay at comfortable levels during business hours, and set to drop a few degrees at night automatically. This reduces hassle from continuously maintaining your temperature settings. It also drastically improves comfort. We recommend keeping the thermostat between 65 and 68 degrees during the day, and between 60-65, or lower, after business hours, or during holidays when your business may be closed. For each degree lowered, you will save 1% on your energy costs. Therefore, scaling back the temperature by 10-15 degrees after hours could save your business up to 15% annually. We also recommend purchasing a locking device so temperature levels will stay within a desired range. This also ensures that employees cannot raise or lower the thermostat beyond that range.
Energy management is important year-round. Employees are more productive in a well-conditioned environment, and customers are more likely to come back to your business if they have a pleasant experience. Every year, heating costs are a major concern for business owners. Energy efficient upgrades to your mechanical systems can help alleviate those concerns.nergy from the motor and conditioning the outside air. On average, these systems reduce energy costs by up to 40%, while also reducing maintenance costs on your unit’s equipment.