As winter creeps in and pushes temperatures down, heating in commercial buildings goes up. That means greater energy consumption and a higher heating bill that eats into your budget.
Around 32% of energy consumption in commercial buildings comes from space heating. This makes it an excellent target for cutting costs. By following our simple energy saving tips, you can easily make your building more sustainable and lower your commercial heating costs this winter.
The older your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the less efficient it becomes. For example, a worn-out heat exchanger contributes significantly to energy loss, especially in winter. And a blocked filter means your HVAC motor needs to work harder to pull in the air your system needs to function.
Scheduling regular maintenance checks for your HVAC system lets you identify and fix potential issues long before they impact your heating bill. That means your system can stay in peak working condition for longer and you can keep your energy costs as low as possible.
The experienced and qualified HVAC technicians at DMC Service are available 24/7/365 to provide fast, friendly HVAC support throughout the Kansas City metro area. So get in touch with us today to schedule your energy-saving HVAC maintenance check!
Sometimes, it’s the simplest solutions that are the most effective. By recalibrating your thermostat to maintain a minimum comfortable temperature, you can cut out a huge amount of wasted heat.
The Department of Energy & Environment recommends setting your commercial thermostat to 68 degrees when the building is occupied, and 62-65 degrees after business hours. You can save up to 3% for each degree your thermostat is lowered in winter, leading to much smaller heating bills throughout the season.
Using a centrally controlled heating system is a great way to ensure you aren’t heating your commercial building at unnecessary times, like evenings and weekends. You can also set timers that correspond to your busiest and quietest hours to make sure no heat energy goes to waste.
Keeping windows and doors closed when not in use is an easy way to prevent heat loss and create noticeable energy savings. You can also add seals to windows to make sure they stay airtight.
Doors, however, are harder to manage. Constant foot traffic through your store or warehouse causes a lot of heat to escape, forcing your HVAC system to work harder. An effective way to prevent this heat loss is to install weighted doors, or ones with automatic closing systems.
Revolving doors are also highly efficient for limiting heat loss. Rather than constantly opening and closing, they function as an airlock that prevents drafts and even streamlines your foot traffic. If you don’t have the space or budget for revolving doors, airlock door systems can achieve a similar energy-saving effect.
Some types of commercial buildings, such as restaurants and office buildings, typically feature large windows or glass doors. Replacing the glass with thick, double-glazed glass creates a layer of heat insulation, which keeps your inside spaces warmer for longer and even protects against noise pollution. With the help of double glazing, you can reduce the running time and output of your HVAC system, and save money on heating.
It might seem counterintuitive, but keeping your HVAC system running at a minimal comfortable temperature – even when nobody’s in the building – can help you cut your commercial energy costs. That’s because it’s much harder for an HVAC system to raise the temperature of a building in winter once it drops below a comfortable range. Rather than forcing your system to heat a whole building from scratch every morning, you’ll save money by maintaining a reasonable temperature.
Even during winter, it’s likely you’ll still see a good deal of sunshine. So keep the blinds open and let natural light and heat into your building. This reduces the burden on your HVAC system and minimizes the need for artificial light, helping you cut costs on two fronts.
If you’re looking for tips for lowering your commercial heating costs in the winter, you probably don’t want to spend lots of money on a new HVAC system. But making this a long-term goal and saving up for it can lead to the greatest possible energy savings.
According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, replacing your HVAC system with higher efficiency equipment can reduce energy use by 50%. And when properly installed, ENERGY STAR certified heating and cooling equipment can create annual energy bill savings of 10-40%. Installing a new HVAC system might seem costly, but with such high savings it’s likely the system will pay for itself over time.
You don’t need to overwork your HVAC system just to keep your commercial building warm and comfortable during the winter. With support from the talented HVAC technicians at DMC Service, you can stay cozy and save money at the same time!
As a full-service mechanical contractor, we provide HVAC repair, maintenance, servicing, and installation to midsize businesses across the Kansas City metro area. Our team is available 24/7 every day of the year, meaning we’re always available when you need us most. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you lower your commercial heating costs this winter.