With winter officially upon us, it is time to start thinking of ways to reduce or minimize energy costs while heating our indoor spaces. According to the Department of Energy, HVAC systems account for about 35% of a building’s energy consumption on average. With such a large portion of energy being used on Heating/Cooling, it’s no secret why improving your system’s efficiency should be a top priority heading into the winter months. Here are a few ways to mitigate the pain of paying more than you need to on energy bills this winter.
Controls
When was the last time you considered replacing that old thermostat? Upgrading to a newer thermostat can open you up to tons of different efficiency-oriented features that can start saving you money on energy costs immediately. Technology is advancing constantly and with a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, you will have access to climate controls in your building from anywhere you have an internet connection; allowing you to adjust the temperature to make sure you aren’t heating an empty building all weekend. Programmable thermostats are another option that has been around even longer than smart thermostats and are a cheaper alternative that can achieve similar results. Simply set your thermostat up on a schedule to lower the heat when nobody is around to automate the savings.
Structural Changes
The equipment itself is not the only way to improve your efficiency and lower your costs; ensuring that your building is properly outfitted is almost just as important when talking about HVAC efficiency. Properly sealed windows and doors are essential to not letting precious heat escape and lowering the running time of your HVAC system. All it takes is one unsealed door to a shipping and receiving location to cause a significant loss to your system’s overall efficiency. Routinely auditing your building will keep you on top of any issues that could contribute to spending more than necessary on heating through the winter.
Educate Your Employees
Not every solution to minimizing heating costs requires spending money to save money. Investing some time into educating your employees or tenants on the best practices for energy consumption can save you money while only costing some of your time and effort. While running a routine audit it is not uncommon to come across an employee that may be negatively impacting the efficiency of your HVAC system. Some examples are the overuse of portable space heaters or keeping a window open while the heat is running. These may not seem like a huge issue but correcting them will not only increase the efficiency of your system but also prolong the lifespan of your equipment by reducing the average usage of the system. This can be a massive money-saving strategy that pays off in the short and long term.
Schedule Preventative Maintenance
Keeping your equipment in good working order is vital to your HVAC system’s overall efficiency and effectiveness. Scheduling preventative maintenance will not only address any current issues in your system but also help you stay ahead of future repairs and potentially even costly capital replacement due to a system failure. HVAC Technicians are your best friend when it comes to preventing major issues by keeping all the smaller systems in optimal condition. For example, regularly replacing filters can reduce wasted energy by 5-10% and minimize the strain on your HVAC system by keeping air moving smoothly through the system. Technicians can diagnose problems and perform repairs or part replacements to ensure your HVAC system is running as it should be, at a much lower price point than a full unit replacement.
Heating costs during the winter are a pain but by implementing these strategies you may be able to circumvent a lot of the frustration by keeping your energy consumption as low as possible. Keeping your system from working harder than it needs to will not only save money on your energy bill but could also make all the difference in the longevity of your equipment. Call us at (800) 382-3150 to see how we can help you save money on heating this winter.
