When it gets hot or cold outside, the natural reaction is to turn on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and crank up the cool or warm air. No one wants to work in an uncomfortable office. However, the cost of your energy bill may cause you to think twice about adjusting the indoor temperature. An energy-efficient, high-performance HVAC, however, could save your organization from absorbent energy costs.
Achieving an Energy Efficient HVAC System
One of the biggest contributors to your monthly energy bill is your heating and cooling system. A commercial HVAC requires a lot of energy to keep a building at an optimal temperature throughout the day. This should come as no surprise, but an efficient HVAC unit requires less energy to perform its job than an inefficient one. In fact, an older air conditioning unit uses about 30% to 50% more energy to produce the same amount of cooling as a newer, energy-efficient model, according to Energy.Gov.
The fastest way to improve energy efficiency is to install a new ENERGY STAR-approved HVAC system. However, if purchasing new equipment isn’t an option for your business, that’s not a problem. There are plenty of other ways to improve efficiency. You can optimize your current system’s energy consumption by taking the following steps.
Change the Filter
When was the last time you changed your air filter? Your HVAC needs to be able to take in air without obstruction to work the way it’s meant to. A dirty HVAC filter can restrict airflow, resulting in your system having to work harder to keep your building cool. It’s recommended you change your filter regularly—every three months at the minimum. However, you really should be checking on your filter once every month, especially during periods of heavy usage such as summer and winter.
HVAC Routine Maintenance
Just as your car needs the occasional tuneup, so does your HVAC unit. As your heating and cooling system gets older, problems will develop. They may be minor issues initially, but if left alone, they can grow into bigger problems down the road that impact performance. With a regular maintenance plan, a technician can perform an HVAC assessment, identify issues, and fix those issues. This will keep your HVAC in good condition and running optimally. It’s recommended you have the system looked at every year.
Seal Your Cooling Ducts
One of the most overlooked ways to make your HVAC system more efficient is to seal and insulate the ductwork. It’s not uncommon to find air leaks in ductwork in commercial buildings, especially in older buildings. These air leaks force your HVAC to work harder to compensate for the lost air. If your ductwork isn’t airtight, sealing the seams and connections of ducts with duct sealant or metal-backed tape will improve airflow. Additionally, wrapping the newly sealed ducts in insulation prevents them from becoming hot or cold.
Ensure Proper Installation
Purchasing new energy-efficient appliances is a great start, but improper installment can rob you of all the benefits. When installed improperly, new equipment can reduce efficiency by up to 30%, according to ENERGY STAR. This is another area where you’ll need the expertise of a professional, like the experts at John’s Service and Sales, Inc. Ensuring your unit is optimized to perform at its best can result in lower energy bills and extend the equipment’s life span.
Controls
There’s no reason why an HVAC should be running when there’s no one in the room. This is just a waste of energy. With controls, like occupancy sensors, as a part of your HVAC system, the equipment will power up as soon as it detects movement. This means your HVAC only turns on when it needs to. Integrating controls with an energy management system can allow you to set schedules based on time of day or production needs.
Lower Your Energy Bill With John’s Service
If you’re tired of paying way too much on your energy bills because of your HVAC, let the professionals at John’s Service and Sales, Inc. help. We’ll leverage our years of experience to lower the energy consumption of your HVAC, so you can enjoy the savings that come with energy efficiency.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.
