| For some, the fact that energy efficiency is closely | | | | lighting bill by 50 percent. |
| aligned with the green movement signifies that it can't | | | | Retrofitting a lighting system consists of replacing |
| make a significant impact for companies that | | | | lighting technology. But retrofitting an HVAC system |
| implement it, which isn't true. In fact, energy efficiency | | | | consists of downsizing HVAC components, particularly |
| remains the most popular green practice among | | | | chillers and air distribution fans. Yesterday's HVAC |
| companies because it can make an impact. In the era | | | | systems were designed with components that are |
| of corporate cost savings, anything that allows a | | | | oversized, and use more energy than necessary to |
| company to realize commercial energy savings | | | | produce the optimal heating or cooling effect. In |
| essentially increases its bottom line, and energy | | | | addition, traditional HVAC systems commonly have |
| efficiency can save more money than other cutting | | | | boilers that display a poor electricity to heat conversion |
| measures. Here's why: a commercial building's interior | | | | ratio (roughly 65 percent), which can be replaced with |
| lighting system and HVAC system account for most | | | | boilers whose conversion ratio is as high as 90 |
| of its energy usage, and energy efficient design | | | | percent. By retrofitting a traditional HVAC system in |
| targets these areas, reducing their energy consumption | | | | addition to an inefficient lighting system, companies can |
| by implementing energy saving retrofits. | | | | easily reduce their annual utility cost by over 50 |
| When companies learn how much of their annual | | | | percent. |
| electric bill stems from interior lighting (roughly 60 | | | | Traditionally, one of the biggest reasons that |
| percent), they often express surprise. While a few | | | | companies fail to implement energy saving design is its |
| lamps don't incur much cost, floor after floor of | | | | potentially high cost. But considering that many projects |
| lamps-many of them burning 24 hours a day-can add | | | | have a first year ROI of 50 percent or better, and that |
| up. There are two basic measures for reducing the | | | | energy efficient consulting providers offer long-term, |
| energy consumption of a lighting system: implementing | | | | interest free financing, the once sensible reasons for |
| more efficient lamps and ballasts, and implementing a | | | | not implementing energy saving design aren't s sensible |
| facility wide lighting control system that dims lights or | | | | anymore. If your company is trying to save money in a |
| turns them off when no movement is preset or on a | | | | down economy and considering cost cutting measures |
| set schedule. Retrofitting a lighting system is an | | | | that would cut jobs, consider implementing energy |
| efficiency measure, while implementing a lighting control | | | | saving design instead. You can improve your bottom |
| system is a conservation measure. But combine them, | | | | line and not contribute to the unemployment line in the |
| and you could easily reduce the cost of your annual | | | | process. |