When every watt matters, transforming your commercial building into an energy-saving powerhouse isn’t just a smart move — it’s a win for your budget and the planet!
Businesses are facing increased pressure to embrace sustainable practices that not only cut costs but also help decarbonize the environment. With commercial buildings consuming around 35% of the U.S.'s total electricity, boosting energy efficiency is a golden opportunity to reduce costs, elevate your public image, and contribute to corporate sustainability goals.
The good news? There are plenty of strategies to fit every building and budget. In this article, we'll explore the top five ways to make your commercial building more energy-efficient.
1. Implement Energy Management & Monitoring Systems
Implementing energy management and monitoring systems is essential for identifying inefficiencies and optimizing energy use. These systems provide valuable insights that help businesses track energy consumption, set benchmarks, and achieve continuous improvement in energy efficiency.
Smart Lighting Controls
Integrating smart lighting controls can further enhance energy efficiency. Smart controls, such as occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting, and programmable timers, optimize lighting usage by automatically adjusting light levels based on occupancy and natural light availability. Anything that can be controlled will help improve efficiency if used correctly.
This can reduce lighting energy consumption by an additional 50%. For instance, a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study found that occupancy sensors alone can reduce lighting energy use by 24% in commercial buildings.
Building Management Systems (BMS)
Building Management Systems (BMS) integrate various building systems — such as HVAC, lighting, and security — into a centralized, automated control system. They typically incorporate prop tech solutions, like Internet of Things (IoT) systems and AI-powered controls. BMS allows building operators to monitor and optimize energy use in real time, leading to significant energy savings and improved operational efficiency.
For example, the Empire State Building implemented a BMS as part of its energy retrofit project, which was a core component of its $741,000 in annual energy cost savings.
Energy Monitoring Technologies
Energy monitoring technologies, such as smart meters and energy management software, provide real-time data on energy use, allowing businesses to make informed decisions about energy efficiency. These tools let businesses identify and address inefficiencies promptly and make data-driven decisions on energy efficiency upgrades.
2. Optimize HVAC and Lighting Systems
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are among the largest energy consumers in commercial buildings, often accounting for 40-60% of total energy use. Optimizing these systems is essential for improving energy efficiency, and they also enhance indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial to ensuring that HVAC systems operate at peak efficiency. This includes replacing filters, HVAC balancing, and checking for leaks. Poorly maintained HVAC systems can lead to energy waste, higher operating costs, and reduced system lifespan. Just regularly cleaning air filters can improve energy efficiency by as much as 10%.
System Upgrades
Upgrading to more energy-efficient HVAC systems or retrofitting existing systems with energy-saving features can lead to significant energy savings. Technologies like variable speed drives, energy recovery ventilation, and high-efficiency chillers are all viable options.
Another option is considering new types of HVAC systems when yours is ready for replacement. Whether it's considering VRF or moving to heat pumps, there are other systems that may use less energy. For example, heat pumps can be up to 300% more energy efficient than traditional HVAC systems and can heat or cool buildings depending on their needs.
LED Lighting
Lighting is a major contributor to energy consumption in commercial buildings, often accounting for up to 20-30% of total energy use. Businesses can significantly reduce their energy consumption and associated costs by upgrading to energy-efficient lighting solutions.
While most have adopted LED lighting already, there are still many buildings operating on old tech. One of the most effective and easy ways to improve lighting efficiency is switching to LED lighting. LEDs consume up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. The energy savings and extended lifespan of LEDs translate to lower maintenance costs and a rapid return on investment.
3. Enhance the Building Envelope
The building envelope is the parts of the building that separate the interior space from the external environment, like walls, roofs, windows, and doors. This plays a vital role in a building's energy efficiency. A well-insulated and sealed building envelope can reduce the need for heating and cooling, leading to lower energy consumption.
Insulation Upgrades
Upgrading insulation is a great way to enhance the building envelope. Proper insulation reduces heat transfer, keeping buildings warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The Department of Energy estimates that adding insulation can reduce heating and cooling costs by 20%.
Sealing Gaps and Cracks
Air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings can significantly reduce a building's ability to maintain internal temperatures. Sealing these gaps and cracks can reduce unwanted temperature loss and improve indoor comfort. This is a core component of an effective building envelope.
Window Improvements
Improving window efficiency is another key strategy for enhancing the building envelope. The Department of Energy estimates that heat gain and loss through windows is responsible for 25% to 30% of heating and cooling energy use. Installing double or triple-pane windows, applying reflective coatings, or adding window treatments can reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.
4. Invest in Renewable Energy Sources
Investing in renewable energy sources is a powerful way to offset energy consumption and reduce building-related emissions. The best renewable energy source to invest in varies by region and building location, so it's important to assess the efficiency of all the available options before deciding.
Solar Power
Solar power is one of the most accessible and widely adopted forms of renewable energy for commercial buildings. By installing solar panels on or adjacent to buildings, businesses can generate their own electricity, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions. Furthermore, government incentives can help reduce installation costs and payback times. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that the average commercial solar installation can save businesses up to 75% on electricity costs.
On-Site Renewable Energy Systems
In addition to solar power, other renewable energy options, such as wind turbines and geothermal systems, can further reduce a building's carbon footprint. For example, geothermal heat pumps can provide a low-cost, efficient alternative to traditional HVAC systems. A study found that buildings in the Southern United States with geothermal heat pumps reduce electricity costs by 26% and emissions by 78% compared to gas boilers.
5. Don’t Wait: Have a Capital Improvement Plan Ready
Buildings naturally degrade from wear and tear — systems fail, parts break, and upgrades are needed to stay current. It’s essential for businesses to think ahead and be ready for these inevitable parts of building ownership.
A capital improvement plan ensures that these necessary upgrades and replacements are planned and budgeted for. This reduces the likelihood of costly emergencies and allows businesses to align improvements with energy efficiency goals. This is particularly relevant for more expensive improvements like onsite renewable energy systems, which have longer development lead times.
Energy Audits
Conducting regular energy audits is the first step in identifying areas for improvement to target in your capital improvement plan. Energy audits assess a building's energy use and uncover opportunities for energy savings. This allows building owners to make the most impactful and cost-effective improvements first.
Facility Management Plan
An effective facility management plan is crucial to driving ongoing energy efficiency. It focuses on the preventive maintenance of critical systems like HVAC and lighting. This ensures they operate at peak performance and reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns.
By regularly maintaining and optimizing these systems, businesses can extend their lifespan, minimize costly repairs, and achieve consistent energy savings. A strong facility management plan not only complements a capital improvement plan but also enhances long-term operational efficiency.
Partnering for Energy Efficiency Success
Improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings is not only beneficial for the environment but also for a business's bottom line. However, many of these options can be complex, and a comprehensive strategy requires implementing a combination of the options we've discussed. To effectively enhance energy efficiency, it's crucial to understand where existing inefficiencies lie and where the most impactful improvements can be made. This is where expert guidance can make all the difference.
Emerald Built Environments is an experienced green building consultant committed to helping businesses achieve their energy efficiency goals. Our team specializes in identifying inefficiencies, developing tailored strategies, and guiding you through the implementation process to ensure your building operates at peak efficiency.
To learn more about how we can assist you in implementing these strategies, visit our website or contact us for a consultation. Let us help you make your building more energy-efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective.
