Gearing Up for Winter: Efficiency Upgrades and Building Maintenance
Key Points
Heating system maintenance, as well as duct sealing and insulation can optimize system efficiency.
Maintenance practices and efficiency upgrades can significantly reduce boiler fuel consumption.
Proper insulation and weatherization can reduce heating costs and increase building comfort.
Space heating accounts for more than 35% of the total energy used in commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Department of
Energy. If your facility is not ready, winter heating costs can really impact your bottom line. Do not get left out in the cold, take the
following steps to improve building comfort and keep your heating system operating at peak efficiency.
Heating System
If you use a furnace or packaged-rooftop unit to heat your building, these actions will help you optimize system performance:
Tune up. Have your heating system inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician. This will help to spot any problems and ensure that your system is running at peak performance.
Filters. Change filters throughout your facility at the start of the heating season and each month thereafter. Dirty filters make your heating system work harder and result in lower indoor air quality.
Seal leaks. Leaky ductwork can have a serious impact on heating system efficiency, costing your facility energy dollars and reducing occupant comfort. Regularly inspect your ductwork for leaks and seal with mastic tape.
Insulate ducts. Heat radiating through ductwork can result in a significant amount of energy loss, even when ducts are properly sealed. Ductwork insulation can keep thermal energy from escaping, increasing the overall efficiency of your heating system.
Clean. Regularly clean ductwork and registers. This will help to improve building comfort and indoor air quality. Keep areas around registers unobstructed by furniture or equipment. This will help to ensure proper heating system distribution.
Boiler Maintenance and Operation
Facilities that use boilers for space heating must address their unique operational requirements to optimize energy efficiency and building comfort. While regular maintenance and annual cleaning and inspections are the best ways to keep your boiler operating at peak performance, the following are some additional energy-saving strategies:
Proper boiler insulation substantially improves system efficiency. Inspect boiler insulation and repair or replace any damaged or missing insulation.
High excess oxygen levels can waste heat and reduce boiler efficiency. Monitor the flue gas and adjust excess air to optimum levels.
Check steam traps for leaks; a leaking steam trap increases fuel consumption and wastes energy.
High carbon monoxide levels are a sign that combustion is incomplete and energy is being wasted. Make sure carbon monoxide levels are within acceptable limits of 200 parts per million (ppm).
Scale buildup in boiler tubes inhibits heat transfer, forcing the boiler to burn additional fuel. Check for and clean scale buildup off boiler tubes.
Energy-saving retrofits can substantially reduce boiler operating costs in winter and in the future. Installing a boiler economizer can
Source: www.energy.gov
increase boiler efficiency by capturing waste heat and using it to preheat boiler feedwater. Upgrading to energy-efficient burners will maximize combustion efficiency by maintaining a proper air-to-fuel mixture.
Around Your Facility
Your cold weather preparations should not stop with your heating system. There are a number of steps you can take throughout your
facility to reduce heat loss, increase comfort, and lower energy costs.
Weatherize
The most efficient heating system can be rendered less effective if a significant amount of heat is escaping through cracks or leaks in your building envelope. It is important to regularly weatherize windows and doors by filling cracks and weatherstripping around gaps where climate-controlled air can escape.
Install controls
Programmable thermostats or timers allow you to save energy by regulating temperatures according to building occupancy schedules. Your facility can save up to 2% on heating costs for each degree the temperature is lowered. Larger facilities should consider the installation of an integrated energy-management system.
Building insulation
Poor insulation will reduce heating system performance as well as occupant comfort. Wall and ceiling insulation is an effective way to save on heating costs and keep building occupants comfortable all winter long. The level of insulation will depend on the facility type as well as climate. Make sure your building insulation levels meet or exceed those recommended in
ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.
By combining proper heating system maintenance with facility upgrades, you can minimize energy costs, while maintaining a comfortable and productive work environment.
Jackson Municipal Utilities Questline has been prepared solely for the purpose of providing helpful information to users of this service. The information has been compiled by Questline, a contractor to Jackson Municipal Utilities; however, no representation is made by either Questline or Jackson Municipal Utilities as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained therein. In particular, some information may be incomplete, may contain errors or may be out of date. In addition, neither Questline nor Jackson Municipal Utilities endorses any product or service mentioned therein.
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