3 Tips to Keep Your Buildings Energy Efficient This Summer in NYC

Did you know that Federal Appliance Standards in the US have saved 14% of energy and 6% of natural gas? This shows that despite all the challenges related to energy efficiency, taking the proper steps in the right direction can make an actual tangible difference. 

With the summer around the corner, the worries about increased electricity bills are also rising. But what if it did not have to be that way? You can take many measures to enhance your building’s energy efficiency. 

This blog will explore the best summer energy conservation tips for buildings to help you lower energy consumption and save on energy bills. So, let’s dive in!  

Tip 1: Make The Most of Mother Nature’s Offerings 

These days, it is easy to turn the air conditioning on whenever you feel hot during the summer. But make sure you think twice before turning the AC on next time because there are many ways nature can keep your building cool without any air conditioning system. Here are some of the ways you can use nature to your advantage and keep your building cool during the summer:

• Use Cross Ventilation: Cross ventilation is one of the most effective ways to keep your building cool during the summer. You need not do much; simply open your windows strategically with doors open on the other side. This will create a natural airflow that draws in cool air and pushes hot air out like a “beat the heat” air conditioning system. 
• Shade Your Windows: Does your building have a south-facing window? These windows are often the main victims dealing with the summer sun’s heat. One simple way to address this issue is by using blinds, awnings, and shades to prevent direct sunlight from entering. This will keep your rooms and passages cool, which, in turn, will help cool the entire building.  
• Don’t Underestimate Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans are still one of the most preferable choices for beating the summer. These fans do an excellent job circulating the air without lowering the temperature. This creates a wind chill effect that reduces your body temperature, making you feel cooler.                 

Tip 2: Foster an Energy-Conscious Culture 

If you are looking for a long-term answer to how to conserve energy in the summer, then fostering an energy-conscious culture can go a long way. You must encourage your building occupants to bring about behavioral changes that will help conserve energy. Some ways you can build an energy-conscious culture include:

• Ask people To Buy Energy Efficient Appliances: If someone is replacing their appliances, take this opportunity to ask them to buy energy-efficient appliances. The short-term benefit of this might be obscure, but given enough time, it can make a significant difference. This should not come as news since energy-efficient appliances take much less energy to perform the same task.          
• Use Awareness Campaigns: Educating people about the difference they can make by doing very little in terms of energy conservation is powerful. This does not have to be exhaustive, but even simple reminders to turn off lights and appliances when they are not used can help. 
• Show The Correlation Between Energy Savings and Summer Heat: Most people do not realize this, but saving energy also translates to less heat. Using electrical appliances or gadgets generates heat, and enough of this little heat can add up to something significant.    

Tip 3: Optimize the Building’s Existing HVAC Systems  

As the temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, an HVAC system is now a necessity rather than a luxury. Thankfully, you can uniquely optimize the HVAC system to ensure it offers unmatched efficiency. Here are some things you can do to realize that goal:

• Ensure Regular Maintenance: Summer brings this question to almost everyone’s minds: how to save energy on air conditioners in summer? The simple answer here is regular maintenance. Regular maintenance keeps the AC’s air filters clean, ensuring optimal airflow without the system working hard and increasing your energy bills. 
• Make The Most of Smart Technologies: Smart building technologies are common in most buildings. These systems come with smart thermostats and lighting systems, enabling better optimization with remote control. This will ensure you use the HVAC system only when needed instead of wasting energy warming the building.           
• Seal Any Air leaks: Air leaks are one of the most common rationales behind HVAC systems performing without proper energy efficiency. This means you need to find these air flows around doors or windows; it is essential to seal them. This is a sure-shot way to prevent cool air from flowing out, helping maintain cooler temperatures inside the building.     

Why is proper ventilation so crucial for maintaining proper temperature inside a building?

Buildings are concrete structures, making them as airtight as possible and difficult for air to flow properly within. This is where ventilation comes into the picture to help you maintain proper airflow and air quality. Proper airflow prevents moisture from accumulating within the building, making it easier to keep the building cool and energy-efficient.    

Is it important to benchmark energy consumption for proper energy efficiency?

Benchmarking the energy consumption of a building is the perfect way to start your energy conservation efforts. This gives you a clear idea of where you stand, enabling you to create a strategy targeting the weaker areas. This will not make your building energy efficient but will give you a better idea of where to start.   

Final Thoughts 

Summers can be brutal with heat, making life challenging for anyone and everyone. This makes it very important that you do your best to leverage proper summer energy efficiency tips and use them to your advantage. This will help keep your building much cooler than usual while ensuring you use the best available energy. So, leverage the above tips to keep your building throughout the summer.   

For more tips on energy efficiency and how to adopt sustainable approaches to make your building energy-efficient, you can also get in touch with experts at The Cotocon Group.