5 Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency in Existing Commercial Buildings

In this blog, we talk about 5 Ways to Improve Energy Efficiency in Existing Commercial Buildings

Buildings in the US account for 70% of the country’s electricity use and 40% of total US primary energy consumption. The IPCC report further states that we need quick and large-scale measures to reduce greenhouse emissions to reach the goal set during the Paris Agreement in 2015.

This highlights the immediate need to take proactive measures, and enhancing your commercial building’s energy efficiency is a good way to start. Contrary to popular perception, this is a far better alternative to developing new buildings.

That said, let’s take a closer look at some of the tried and tested ways to enhance the energy efficiency of an existing commercial building.

With buildings accounting for 39 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the United States, climate change has accelerated its negative impacts. Scientists predict that if left unchecked, emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases from human activities will raise global temperatures by 2.5 F to 10 F this century and according to the latest IPCC report, that damage will be irrevocable!

It is not always feasible or granted to construct an entirely new building to incorporate optimum energy efficiency. Great news, it is also not required! There are some tried and tested ways to enhance the energy efficiency of an existing commercial building. Here are a few:-

1. Have a strategy

The most obvious and foremost is to have a strategy after thoroughly scrutinizing the building. The best way to strategize is to have an energy audit conducted in which a deep survey that resultantly suggests retrofitting measures and these measures ought to optimise your building’s energy efficiency in a customised fashion.

It will help the owners determine the set of goals that they must undertake and most importantly, why. The goals can revolve around achieving a reduction in energy consumption altogether or self-generate a percentage of power through renewables or other sustainable means such as solar power. It is highly recommended that these goals are as specific (with regard to timelines and personnel) and concrete as possible.

2. Measure current energy consumption

Measuring the energy consumption or benchmarking can help the owners prioritize or determine where to really focus on. However, it’s essential to be completely precise about this and therefore, hiring an expert for benchmarking, auditing and retrofitting is ideal. With their experience and expertise, it is an easy task for them which provides instant solutions.

3. Maintain the HVAC

Not many people realize the effect of HVAC systems while sitting comfortably with their AC on. These HVAC systems alone use 6% of all electricity in the US, which costs about $29 million annually.

This highlights the importance of ensuring proper maintenance for these systems, as you don’t want anything hampering their efficiency. In fact, even changing air filters in the HVAC regularly can reduce its energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

You can also consider using ENERGY STAR central air-conditioning units that provide 15% more efficiency. The air-conditioning systems are usually integrated with the heating systems, implying that it’s ideal to purchase both at the same time to maximize efficiency.

Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditioning (HVAC) are alone responsible for more than 40% of energy consumption. The labelled products help save up to 16% energy which translates to a weekly saving yearly saving of at least $100.

Air-conditioning does not contribute much to the bills, taking up around 6% of energy. ENERGY STAR central air-conditioning units provide 8% more efficiency. The air-conditioning systems are usually integrated with the heating systems implying that it’s ideal to purchase both at the same time to maximize efficiency.

4. Check Your Water Usage

Water is an extremely energy heavy aspect of any building and water-oriented strategies significantly reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Designing for water conservation, efficiency and reuse are among the largest and most cost-effective energy and carbon reduction strategies available. This can be achieved by specifying plumbing equipment that prevents leaks-or “real water losses”-the most troubling element of water efficiency which the experts call “non-revenue water.”

Water usage can be effectively reduced by also installing proper fixtures. Perhaps can following can help with the same:-

1. Specify high-efficiency toilets with reduced average flush volumes compared to conventional toilets
2. Use rainwater as a valuable water source.
3. Design buildings to harvest rainfall and create outdoor spaces that rely primarily on precipitation for irrigation. Rainwater harvesting and xeriscaping can result in 50 percent savings in outdoor water use. Rainwater harvesting has a low environmental footprint because it’s not pumped long distances. Water for flushing toilets, irrigation and washing machines does not need to be potable, so using rainwater direct from a building’s roof lowers the carbon footprint.

You can specify high-efficiency toilets with reduced average flush volumes compared to conventional toilets. You can also use rainwater harvesting designs and techniques to make the most of freshwater. Design buildings to harvest rainfall and create outdoor spaces that rely primarily on precipitation for irrigation.

Rainwater harvesting and xeriscaping can result in 50% savings in outdoor water use. Rainwater harvesting has a low environmental footprint because it’s not pumped long distances. Water for flushing toilets, irrigation, and washing machines does not need to be potable, so using rainwater directly from a building’s roof lowers the carbon footprint.

5. Upgrade to LED Lighting

Most LED projects are executed with the sole aim of saving on electricity. However, LED lights also bring in several safety benefits, which is why most audits will suggest switching up the lighting.

1. They have a lower power consumption because of which they emit less heat. This implies that there are lesser chances of it starting a fire.
2. As opposed to other conventional lamps that require glass in their respective designs, LED lighting has no such prerequisites and can be modelled utilizing much safer products. This also makes them shatterproof.
3. Owing to their low consumption, LED lighting also runs successfully on a power back, for a very long time. This is nothing short of a life-saving hack for during those blackouts!

• These lights consume less power and emit less heat, implying fewer chances of starting a fire.
• Unlike conventional lamps, which require glass in their designs, LED lighting does not have such prerequisites and can be modelled using much safer products. This also makes it shatterproof.
• Due to their low consumption, LED lighting also runs successfully on a power back for a long time. This is nothing short of a life-saving hack during those blackouts!
• LED lights also last about 25 times more than conventional bulbs.  

These are 5 Ways to improve Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings. Stay tuned for more informational blogs like this!

We, The Cotocon Group, have a proven history of providing compliance services in New York City to building owners. Our highly skilled team ensures building owners meet all the requirements from planning compliance schedules, conducting energy audits and retro-commissioning to generating and submitting the Energy Efficiency Report within the deadline. We will demonstrate that the greatest return on investment for building owners is investing in energy efficiency, to accomplish the mentioned holistic value and make your building absolutely safe.