When you save energy, you save money. Follow these simple tips to reduce the amount of energy that your home or business uses.
1. Use Natural Light Whenever Possible
Position windows so that they let natural light enter rooms during the day. That way, you don't have to use artificial light that will burn energy unnecessarily. This is an important step toward LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
2. Use Low-Energy Lights for the Evening
Florescent and LED lights use about 75 percent less energy than typical incandescent bulbs. If sustainability is on your
mind, replace your older bulbs with those that offer the same lighting power without using as much energy.
3. Keep Your Air Conditioning and Heating System Maintained
If your climate control system has old, grimy filters, then it will have to work much harder to do its work. You should also have an HVAC professional look over your entire system. They can often spot inefficiencies that you never would have considered.
4. Replace Old Equipment with Efficient Models
You don't have to operate a factory to lose money through inefficient equipment. Every business has some equipment that uses more energy than necessary. If, for instance, you have an old computer server, you can probably save energy by upgrading to a newer model.
5. Use Energy Management Software
If you don't know where your building's energy is going, then you don't know how to fix the problem. Energy management software makes it easy to spot areas of inefficiency. Perhaps you're using too much power on cooling, or maybe you spend too much money powering your lights. This software will give you the answers.
6. Use Modeling Software
If you're constructing a new building or remodeling an existing one, use modeling software to help you create a more efficient design. Good software will include numerous factors. If you are in Orange County or Palm Springs, for instance, you can count on sunny days to give you more daytime light. The modeling software will help you decide where you put windows that will let light pour into work spaces.
7. Schedule Maintenance During the Work Day
Having maintenance crews come in at night forces you to use more energy. Have them come in during the day so you don't have to turn on the lights and other systems after hours.
8. Use Sensible Building Controls
Using building controls that turn off lights and set temperatures to meet the needs of people is a great way to reduce energy waste. You have to make sure that you're using a sensible approach, however, that actually comes on when people are there and goes off when they are not. Perform an audit to see what changes you could make.
9. Educate Building Occupants
A lot of energy waste comes from people in the building. They leave the hot water on too long and they forget to turn off lights. Put up signs making everyone aware of how their behaviors can make the building more sustainable.
10. Energy Audits
Get a professional energy audit once a year. That way, you will have more information about inefficiencies within your building. Use the info to become more sustainable.
Comments