| Two practices that currently define what it means to | | | | system that turns off lights when no movement is |
| be a responsible company are cost cutting and | | | | present can drive the savings even higher. |
| implementing green technology. Today, companies can | | | | HVAC Systems |
| practice both by taking a single measure: commercial | | | | Like interior lighting systems, HVAC systems can |
| retrofits for energy efficiency. Long considered to be a | | | | benefit from commercial retrofitting. Unlike newer, more |
| passion of companies who have "gone green", energy | | | | efficient systems, traditional HVAC systems |
| efficiency also has a practical side: if implemented with | | | | commonly feature "oversized" parts that use more |
| the guidance of an energy efficiency consultant, it can | | | | energy than necessary to produce the optimal effect. |
| result in a 50 percent or higher reduction of a | | | | Two commonly oversized HVAC components are air |
| company's annual utility cost, a percentage that | | | | distribution fans and chillers, the former of which |
| typically translates into five to six figure savings. To | | | | accounts for roughly 30 percent of an HVAC |
| achieve these savings, companies do more than install | | | | system's energy usage. Another potentially inefficient |
| new windows and doors; they also take a systematic | | | | HVAC component is boilers, which typically convert |
| approach to updating their buildings' primary operating | | | | between 60 and 75 percent of their electric usage into |
| systems, three of which we discuss below. | | | | heat. To save more energy, boilers can be |
| Interior Lighting System | | | | implemented that convert up to 90 percent of their |
| Some building owners aren't aware that interior lighting | | | | electricity into heat. |
| systems can be a serious energy drain. Far from using | | | | Building Envelopes |
| a modicum of energy, interior lighting usually accounts | | | | Building envelopes are the least considered element of |
| for 60 percent of a commercial building's annual | | | | energy efficiency, but their effect on annual utility cost |
| electricity use. The inefficient technology behind this | | | | can be dramatic. Even when your HVAC system is |
| percentage is lamps and ballasts that produce low | | | | efficient, it's important to maximize your building's ability |
| lighting levels compared to the amount of energy they | | | | to retain heat in the winter and coolness in the summer |
| consume. Add in the fact that most buildings have a | | | | through proper insulation. Building envelope solutions |
| significant amount of lighting that burns 24 hours a day, | | | | depend on numerous factors, such as climate, building |
| and it's easy to see how interior lighting produces | | | | type, and unique company needs. But having the best |
| needlessly large electric bills. Implementing energy | | | | envelope can be crucial to taking your utility savings |
| efficient lighting retrofits can reduce the energy use of | | | | from good to great. |
| interior lighting by half, and adding a lighting control | | | | |