Heating and Cooling Tips

An energy-efficient building leads to a better business climate. Here are some simple, low-cost tips to help you start reducing what can sometimes be your highest energy costs.

• Keep doors and windows closed while running your HVAC system to reduce air loss.
• Clear areas in front of vents from furniture, since blocked vents require up to 25% more energy.
• In the summer, vegetation, solar screens, and awnings can also be used to prevent the sun from making your building too warm. And in the winter, raise shades and blinds to let the sun warm your building.
• Calibrate your thermostats to ensure accurate readings. Adjust your thermostat depending on the season, and lower the setting any time the building is unoccupied.
• Ask your facilities manager to replace missing insulation in high-pressure steam distribution systems.
• Ask your facilities manager to repair leaks in steam traps and compressed air systems.
• Insulate boilers with an insulating blanket.
• Ask your facilities manager to implement controls on your HVAC system to manage how much energy is used to heat your building, ranging from a wall-mounted thermostat to a computerized Energy Management System (EMS). An EMS uses sensors to adjust heating and cooling when a room is unoccupied, saving you energy and money.
• Perform regular HVAC maintenance. Change filters monthly to improve air quality and reduce energy use.
• Consider establishing a maintenance contract with a vendor to get tune-ups before heating and cooling seasons to further decrease your chance of a breakdown and unnecessary air loss.
• If you don’t have a facilities manager, contact us at efficiency@nationalgrid.com.