Without actionable data regarding your energy usage, it is hard to correct energy loss and improve the overall efficiency of your commercial building.
Your commercial facility is losing energy. Right now it’s losing energy. And now. And…well, you get the point. From the moment your facility is built, it starts to deteriorate, losing more and more energy as the years go by. But this doesn’t mean you should sit idly by and watch your once energy efficient building go from green to a dull shade of brown. Instead, fight back and correct the following sources of energy loss in commercial office buildings.
How Buildings Can Deteriorate Over Time – HVAC Maintenance Is Key
When buildings are not properly commissioned, operated, or maintained, as much as 30% of the energy used is wasted. Below are several common sources of energy loss.
Complicated Building Automation Systems
Today, integration is the name of the game, along with taking a holistic approach to ensure all components in a building’s mechanical and electrical systems are working together to greater efficiency. The solution: Building Automation Systems (BAS), which allow building owners and facility managers to control security, HVAC, lighting, window treatments, security systems, elevators, and so much more. However, a BAS is only as good as its operator. When the system is too complicated for users, overall building efficiency suffers.
Lack of Actionable Data
As they would say at the end of every episode of G.I. Joe, knowing is half the battle. Without actionable data regarding your energy usage, it is hard to correct energy loss and improve the overall efficiency of your commercial building. Review your building operating plan and architectural drawings to get an overall picture of how a building is really performing.
Outdated or Poorly Maintained HVAC Equipment
HVAC systems in commercial buildings account for more than 40% of total energy use. So when your equipment is not functioning properly, your facility’s energy use can skyrocket. An energy audit can help you quickly pinpoint immediate areas of need.
Patching Long-Term Issues with Short-Term Band-Aids
In order to deal with high level of occupant complaints, many facility managers apply short-term solutions – Band-Aids – to “fix” the problem without actually fixing the underlying cause. As a result, the issue will continue to pop up time and time again. This can lead to several issues, ranging from energy efficiency issues to poor indoor air quality and sick building syndrome. So it’s important to fully deal with HVAC maintenance issues the first time around.
In-House Staff Cannot Handle HVAC Maintenance
There are three common issues with an in-house maintenance staff:
- HVAC maintenance is often too big a task for a small workforce. When maintenance tasks become too frequent or too complicated, a small maintenance staff can easily become overwhelmed.
- Constant turnover. When members of an in-house staff leave, they take a lot of HVAC knowledge with them, making it harder and harder to train new employees.
- Improper training.
Each of these scenarios lead to two things: decreased equipment efficiency and comfort problems. The solution: outsource. Hire a professional commercial HVAC contractor and establish a good preventive maintenance program to help keep HVAC maintenance at a manageable level. Start with your filters, belts, and coils, ensuring they are clean and in proper working order.
According to Consortium of Energy Efficiency, a Preventive Maintenance program can cut that energy use by as much as 20%.
Improve HVAC Efficiency with Crockett Facilities Services, Inc.
At Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI), our goal is to constantly identify and implement measures that reduce energy and improve the operating efficiency of mechanical and HVAC equipment in our customers’ commercial and government facilities. As a MSCA GreenSTAR certified contractor and a part of the ENERGY STAR Small Business Network, we are a leader providing energy-efficient heating and air conditioning services and environmentally-responsible solutions
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We can conduct energy audits for our customers, encompassing heating and cooling, water, building envelope, water lighting and office equipment. We analyze customers’ utility bills and data related to energy usage, summarizing our findings with recommendations for energy conservation measures and estimated cost savings.
To learn more about minimizing Energy Loss in Commercial Facilities, please contact us at 202.600.2787 or sales@crockett-facilities.com.
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Sources:
8 Drains of Building Efficiency and 5 Ways to Fix Them, Facilitiesnet.com