Energy-Saving Strategies That Put You in Control

The following article is from the Jackson Municipal Questline newsletter. You may subscribe to it directly by emailing news@ql-mail.com.

 



Source: http://www.sxc.hu/

Key Points

·         Energy-management systems are helpful in facilities with varying occupancy and energy use patterns.

·         Lighting, heating and cooling, and the building envelope, offer opportunities to control energy use.

·         The participation of all building occupants is necessary to maximize energy savings.



Conserving energy is a challenge under any circumstance, especially in buildings that may be open for long hours each day and house a variety of staff and visitors. Not everyone has energy conservation on their mind and it is difficult to control the actions of each person that enters or leaves the building. Reducing energy use will not only save money, however, it will also increase the safety and comfort of building occupants. The steps that follow will help you take control of your facility's energy use, no matter who is in the building.

Energy Management Systems (EMS)

1. Perform a walk-though energy audit when the building is not occupied.
2. Regularly check all EMS points to verify that they are functioning correctly.
3. Take advantage of sophisticated computer programs to control the EMS from a laptop or wireless device.
4. Compare utility bills to EMS data.
5. Program holiday hours and special building events into the EMS.
6. Use timers on bus block heater circuits.
7. Check the start and stop times of your EMS regularly.
8. Install occupancy sensors to control lighting in staff areas, conference rooms, and restrooms.
9. Consider metering specific equipment to better understand your facility's energy use.
10. Investigate the installation of an EMS if you are not currently using one.

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

1. Reduce energy use by programming thermostats according to your occupancy schedule.
2. Regularly check room thermostats to make sure they are calibrated and level.
3. Use ceiling fans to circulate air and improve the effectiveness of space-conditioning systems.
4. Make sure heating and cooling systems are sized to match your facility's needs.
5. Investigate the use of variable speed drives for fans and pumps.
6. Install night setback thermostats on supplemental heating and cooling units.
7. Review preventive maintenance activities for opportunities to improve heating and cooling system efficiency.
8. Sub-cool buildings during off-peak hours using outside air only.
9. Turn off exhaust fans in unoccupied spaces. 

Source: www.doe.gov

Building Envelope

1. Monitor service doors at each building entrance; ensure that they are kept closed.
2. Review the feasibility of automatic doors.
3. Consider the use of solar film on windows.
4. Weatherize windows and doors and seal air leaks when necessary.
5. Keep windows and skylights clean in winter to allow heat gain.
6. Use low emittance (low-E) coatings or smart glass on windows and skylights. Low-E coatings are thin layers deposited on the glass surface to reduce heat flow. Smart glass allows you to control the amount of heat or light passing through by pushing a button.  

Maintenance

1. Examine your preventive maintenance program. Include energy-efficiency measures such as cleaning, filter changes, replacement of worn parts, and so on.
2. Use low-energy task lighting for off-hours cleaning and maintenance.
3. Set up a procedure for maintenance personnel to perform utility checks. 

Lighting

1. Replace incandescent lights with higher-efficiency halogen or compact fluorescent lamps.
2. Zone parking lot lights for better control and reduce light to 25% after closing.
3. Install light sensors on outdoor lights so that they only operate after dark.
4. Place data loggers on light switches to monitor usage.
5. During the day, turn-off evening lights that are near skylights.
6. Turn off outdoor signs and displays after closing at night and during the day if possible.
7. Use time delay light switches in remote areas, such as maintenance closets.
8. Separate decorative lights from general lights and turn off decorative lighting at closing.

Office Equipment

1. Set personal computers and office equipment to revert to sleep mode when not in use.
2. Time office equipment to automatically turn off at night or whenever the building is not occupied.
3. Network printers so that multiple computers can be connected to a single printer.
4. Size equipment properly. Energy use varies among printers and copiers; purchase models that are equipped with only the features you need.
5. High-powered laptops can do the work of larger desktop computers and use 75% less energy. 

Why Stop There?

This checklist is a great place to start saving, but there are more opportunities available. A variety of tools are available to help you identify and take advantage of energy-efficiency improvements. The Commercial and Industrial Efficiency Recommendations provide energy-saving tips specific to your industry segment. With the Facility Assessment Wizard, you can answer a few questions about your facility and get even more specific energy-saving advice. Also, do not forget building occupants. Their participation is necessary to maximize energy savings. Use these free, downloadable Energy Posters to remind your staff of the importance of conserving energy.