Most business owners feel the shock of summer energy bills each summer when they kick on their air conditioners to cool the facility. If you’re trying to cut costs and stay cool during the summer, you need to take some steps to make your space more energy efficient. Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced
The first thing you should do before turning your AC on every spring is call and have it professionally serviced. A qualified HVAC tech will come out to inspect for any signs of damage, replace filters, make sure that everything is properly lubricated and double check to make sure that your refrigerant is full. If any of these maintenance steps are skipped, your air conditioner could be working too hard. The longer this goes on, the more inefficient it becomes and the more damage your system takes.
2. Order an Energy Audit
An energy audit is a great way to find out where your building is losing energy. You should call your utility company first and ask if they have an energy audit program, as you might be able to have this done for free. The audit will identify areas where your building is improperly sealed or otherwise costing you money. Once you know where the biggest leaks are, you can take steps to close them up. The better your building is sealed, the less energy it takes to keep it cool during the summer.
3. Shut Off Unused Equipment
It may not seem significant on a small scale, but every computer, printer, and other equipment within your facility gives off heat. Even in sleep mode, your computer may be drawing a small amount of power in case you need to wake them up. Server rooms give off a significant amount of heat at all times. Shutting off unused equipment can drastically cut down on the ambient heat being produced, and will save you money on the front end when they aren’t drawing power anymore.
4. Optimize Your Compressors
Air compressors are known to cause a large amount of energy waste, converting as much as 70% of their energy into heat that is expelled. By inspecting your compressor for leaks, turning down the pressure a little bit, and checking all of your filters, you can make serious cuts to your energy bills. Keeping your compressors cool can also offer big savings as the compressor doesn’t have to work as hard when the air is colder. If you routinely have your compressor serviced by the manufacturer or installer, it is worth asking about ways to optimize your compressors during the summer for the best efficiency.
5. Incentivize Good Energy Policy
Sometimes the hardest part of reducing your power bill is actually training your employees to be cognizant of waste in the first place. Many companies have found that they can offer incentives to employees who make the effort to cut down on power consumption and help the company’s bottom line.
Any building can be energy efficient if you put some effort into it. An energy audit offers you a good starting place for keeping your business cool, followed by regular maintenance of all installed equipment. Once those things are taken care of, all you need to do is manage your daily usage by reducing waste and programming systems to shut down when not in use. For more information about keeping your business cool, contact Compressors Unlimited today and speak to one of our team members.
