Sustainability tips for Commercial HVAC that save you money.
Alpha Mechanical News
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are among the most energy-intensive mechanism of any business. In fact, space cooling alone accounts for 15% of the electricity used in commercial buildings on average. Much of the energy and cost that goes into powering HVAC is lost to waste – upwards of 30% in the average commercial building.
Reducing wasted HVAC energy consumption is an important building block in the push for greater sustainability in the business world. It is also a great way to substantially reduce operating costs. And many of the steps that business owners and managers can take to improve sustainability and reduce costs require little to no expense. Many of those steps are also incredibly simple, and the more complex waste-reducing practices often offer excellent return on investment.
Reduce wasted energy by 5-10% by regularly changing HVAC filters
Dirty filters overwork HVAC systems by restricting air flow, cost far more to use, lead to poor indoor air quality and result in far more commercial HVAC maintenance issues and costs. Check HVAC filters on a quarterly basis. Finding an HVAC technician to perform regular check-ups can help.
HVAC filters should be changed every month. At the longest, HVAC filters should be switched out every three months. Switching out dirty filters is one of the simplest sustainability steps a business can take, and it can reduce wasted energy costs by 5-10%.
Reduce costs, save energy with programmable thermostats.
Temperature settings in a business can often be contentious. Installing programmable thermostats removes much of the burden of tailoring temperature settings to meet the desires of a diverse workforce and customer base by focusing on sustainability and reduced costs.
Installing programmable thermostats can affect sustainability and wasted energy in a number of ways. Building temperatures can be set to run at higher or lower temperatures depending on the season, but it is critical that they are correctly programmed.
Programmable thermostats are available in 7-day models, which are ideal for regularly changing schedules; and 5+2-day models, which are appropriate for businesses that operate on regular five-day schedules where less energy use is required on weekends or other two-day periods.
Reduce commercial HVAC maintenance costs by 40% with planned preventative maintenance.
Commercial HVAC maintenance is like getting a tune-up for a car – both are necessary for top performance. Regular planned preventative maintenance on all HVAC systems and equipment ensures that those systems and equipment are not wasting energy due to substandard, ageing or faulty performance.
Taking a proactive approach to a building's HVAC systems through regular quality maintenance can reduce commercial HVAC maintenance costs by up to 40%.
Planned Preventative Maintenance greatly reduces call out costs and labour fees, causes less disruption and is a much better alternative to risking a potentially damaging breakdown of equipment.
Improve HVAC efficiency by 20% by properly sealing heating and cooling ducts.
Doing something as simple as properly sealing heating and cooling ducts can improve HVAC efficiency by 20% or more.
Ducts can be sealed using mastic, foil tape or blown-in duct sealant. The sealing effect is further improved by wrapping the ducts in insulation. Focus first on areas of the building that are unprotected – underneath the building or in unheated/cooled storage spaces.
Improve efficiency by 5-20% with HVAC upgrades and/or HVAC replacement.
Sometimes the best ways to improve HVAC efficiency come through upgrading or replacing existing HVAC equipment and systems. Running HVAC systems and equipment past their suggested lifespans leads to exorbitant energy and maintenance costs.
If a building’s air conditioner or heat pump is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it. Furnaces or boilers that are more than 15 years old will also likely be due for upgrades or replacement, and offer significant cost and energy savings.
Retrofitting existing packaged rooftop HVAC units with advanced digital economizer controls and/or sensors that bring in ventilation air only when needed – also known as demand controlled ventilation – is yet another important and successful way for businesses to significantly improve energy efficiency.
Hire expert mechanical services contractors.
Alpha Mechanical Services & Contractors are one of The United Kingdom's and Ireland's leading providers of high efficiency commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC). Services include: new equipment installation, repair, replacement and planned preventative maintenance.
We offer a full range of mechanical consulting, installation and maintenance services with expertise in all aspects of commercial and retail HVAC systems. We have our own in-house engineering, fabrication, commissioning and health and safety experts to ensure cost-effective delivery of the highest quality solutions in a zero harm environment.
At Alpha Mechanical Services Ltd. we bring industry leading expertise and cutting edge technology to create uncompromising solutions. Always on budget and on schedule. Lets work together!