Commercial Building Energy Saving HVAC Tips for Winter

As we are getting into winter, it’s important to act and implement a plan to conserve energy during the colder months. Heating costs can rise due to higher usage and lower temperatures, but keeping your employees, customers, and guests warm is necessary. Therefore, your business needs to be mindful of your heating performance and expenses. This article breaks down some HVAC tips for winter. Here we share the different ways you can ensure your business is energy-efficient to help you save on your heating costs while still maintaining comfortable temperatures.

1) Use a Programmable Thermostat

There are a few ways that you can proactively save on energy costs. One of the main actions you can take is using the programming features on your thermostat to control the temperature, and make sure your operations are energy-efficient. You can also take the following steps:

• Lower the heat when the building is not in use: You can save on potentially high heating costs by programming the temperature to a lower degree when no one is in the building.

• Calibrate to ensure it is reading an accurate temp: A simple error can lead to costly heating expenses. Take the time to calibrate your thermostat so you can make sure the reading is correct. If the degree reading is higher or lower than expected, your bill can be affected.

• Note that each degree under 70 saves about 3% in costs: One of the most critical aspects of energy efficiency is knowing where to save money. Every degree under 70 saves you 3% on energy costs. By taking note of your current expenses, you can make the appropriate changes to your thermostat.

• Keep the temperature set to 60 degrees at night: The recommended night temperature is about 60 degrees. It’s essential to be mindful of this when programming the thermostat in your business because anything under 60 will cause your system to overcompensate, which can cost you more money in the long run.

 

2) Invest in Insulation

Installing high-quality insulation is an excellent way for you to save on energy costs. Insulation provides a layer of protection to ceilings and adds seals to windows and doors. According to the EPA, you can save 10-percent of your energy bill by installing proper insulation and sealing your building. You can utilize insulation by taking the following steps:

• Updating and adding insulation
• Adding seals to windows and doors
• Updating windows as they are where most heat escapes from a closed building
• Adding thick, double-glazed windows

 

3) Install Revolving Doors or an Air Lock Door system

Drafts can cause heating costs to rise. Revolving doors and air lock door systems can keep your energy costs low by preventing drafts and keeping heating locked in your commercial building.

 

4) Check & Change Filters

Your business can avoid any potential surprise issues by taking a proactive approach. By checking your filters and changing them every quarter, you can conserve energy. HVAC filters can suffer from build-up, making the motor work harder to pull in the amount of air the system needs, which can increase your heating bill.

 

5) Schedule Regular Preventative Maintenance

Regular maintenance steps can ensure that your systems are running as they should and are not creating a significant rise in heating costs. Some other benefits of maintenance include:

• Prolonging the life of your systems.
• Increased energy efficiency to keep your bills low.
• Incorporating air quality and purity improvements to create a healthier environment for your staff and customers.

 

6) Check if your state has a Clean Energy Program that can help you save on energy costs

Depending on where you are located, your state may have a clean energy program, which can help you improve your energy efficiency. These programs help you cover a large portion of costs by updating your HVAC system to a more efficient one.

 

Conclusion

By investing in your building and understanding what can impact your energy bill, you can adequately heat your commercial building while maintaining energy efficiency. Our top tip is to ensure that you take the proper maintenance steps to prevent long-term issues. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you lower your heating costs with our maintenance programs!