An eco-friendly corporate social responsibility is no longer sufficient to separate companies in this hyper-competitive environment. Saving energy means saving money and that increases your company’s bottom line. In this blog from AEMACO, we outlay nine practical approaches businesses can take to improve their energy usage, sustainability, and operational cost efficiency while maintaining performance and comfort standards.
Table of Contents
1. Perform a Business Energy Optimization Assessment
Business energy optimization starts with conducting an energy consumption assessment. Energy audits identify inefficiencies by providing a detailed breakdown of current processes and energy use, helping you spot what’s holding back optimal performance. With the right technology, analytical energy audits can highlight areas where consumption is exceptionally high due to inefficient or obsolete machinery and equipment.
Leakages
Additionally, in many cases, audits can reveal very inexpensive solutions to significant problems such as equipment being left on around the clock or air leakages. Businesses can also choose to conduct the audit in-house or outsource the task to an energy specialist.
Tracking
Whether conducted in-house or by external personnel, auditing helps prepare prioritized lists for upgradeable assets while simultaneously allowing tracking of baseline progress measurements. An organization’s serious energy control strategy starts right after audits and is perpetuated through continual monitoring as the organization undergoes transitions in operations.
Use Aemaco’s Energy Management services to reduce operational costs and improve energy performance across your entire facility.
2. Change to LED Lights
There’s perhaps no simpler or cheaper energy upgrade than switching to LED lighting. LEDs consume up to 75% less energy when compared to incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, and their higher lifetime reduces both electricity and maintenance costs.
Sensors
Smart lighting systems further improve efficiency through motion sensors, daylight harvesting, and scheduling. For large businesses with spread-out facilities, these savings are even greater.
Light
Energy-efficient lighting also improves the quality of light in the workspace, boosting productivity and satisfaction among employees. Because of this, it is a low-investment upgrade for businesses of all sizes that delivers results immediately.
Read our blog 15 Reasons to Conduct an HVAC Energy Audit to learn the importance of HVAC energy audits in identifying inefficiencies and reducing energy costs.
3. Optimize HVAC Systems
Commercial buildings are often equipped with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems which consume a lot of energy. With proper upkeep, such as leak checking and filter cleaning, HVAC systems can be kept at optimal efficiency.
Temperature
Smart thermostats and programmable controls enable greater temperature management by adapting to occupancy and weather allowing for better business energy optimization. Zoning systems redistribute conditioned air for targeted areas, lessening energy expenditure.
Savings
In older systems, switching out energy-saving models can lead to significant long-term cost savings. Businesses also need to account for insulation and ventilation as they directly influence HVAC efficiency. Better business energy optimization translates to increased comfort and productivity at controlled expenses for utilities.
Read Harnessing Energy Management Solutions where we discuss various energy management strategies to help you optimize your energy usage.
4. Use Smart Energy Management Systems
Energy Management Systems (EMS) offer instantaneous reporting as well as control of energy use across an entire facility. These systems evaluate consumption trends, identify inefficiencies, and self-correct operations to yield the highest productivity. EMS enables businesses to actively manage energy consumption rather than waiting to respond to problems.
Automation
From managing the equipment scheduling, lighting, and HVAC systems to EMS, integration with IoT devices provides automation and visibility that was previously lacking. The insight, once all the data is gathered over time, will assist in planning tactical decisions and long-term sustainability plans.
Improve
The initial outlay required for purchasing EMS is often balanced within a short time period by the savings achieved. For those that wish to constantly improve their business processes streamed lined energy use at a minimal cost, an EMS offers unparalleled value.
Want to implement preventive maintenance? Read our blog 15 Strategies to Running Energy Efficient Hospitals.
5. Implement Peak Demand Management
Costs associated with electricity increase sharply during peak periods, particularly for industries powered by heavy machinery or high operational loads. Green Peak accounting allocates a portion of the electricity bill based on the consumption during specific peak times.
Battery
Businesses can lower these costs while adopting battery load shifting, off-peak processes, and staggering start times for their equipment. Some companies implement load shedding: suspension of non-essential loads during peak periods. Real-time monitoring and advanced scheduling will enable some users to self-suspend before peak periods.
Minimize
Knowing the utility provider’s boundaries is important for effective demand management. There is no simple way to optimize this approach as it doesn’t minimize energy use but does lower expenses.
6. Invest in Renewable Energy Sources
The installation of solar panels and wind turbines helps to improve a company’s sustainability and business energy optimization in the long run. Even though there is a great deal of funding needed in the beginning, numerous state policies help ease expenses through incentives, refunds, and tax credits.
Combined
Moreover, renewable systems have the option of being combined with battery storage for advanced control and backup power. If an on-site installation isn’t possible, businesses can also look into power purchase agreements (PPAs) or even community solar programs.
Decrease
In the long run, renewables help decrease reliance on national grid energy and protect the entity from price fluctuations. This approach supports smart financial decisions while promoting sustainability.
7. Improve Building Insulation and Envelope
Adding insulation, sealing cracks, and replacing windows can drastically cut the cost of heating and cooling a building. Roofs and walls, windows, and doors like double and triple-glazed windows can be fitted with stropping weatherstripping.
Internal
This allows the building to be better insulated, reducing the need for internal temperature regulation, which minimizes the strain on HVAC systems.
Older
Severe investment is recommended to endure with those operating in older buildings because upgrading insulation should be incorporated into their energy efficiency planning. Improving workplace comfort and energy efficiency delivers an excellent return on investment.
8. Adopt Energy-Conscious Employee Practices
Every employee plays a role in either simplifying or adding complexity to a business. Basic practices like using natural light where possible and turning off equipment that is not in use go a long way towards saving energy.
Culture
Build an energy mindful culture through awareness campaigns, training sessions, and even rewards. Reminders, like signs or dashboards displaying real-time energy consumption, can help improve behavior towards energy. Some organizations designate ‘Energy Champions’ to some or all departments to keep the momentum going.
Conserving
While the benefits of infrastructure and technology are self-evident, it is the people who drive enduring change when it comes to conserving energy. When knowledge is paired with accountability, its true potential can be unlocked.
9. Plan Routine Maintenance
Maintenance is key in improving internal processes, as energy efficiency is often overlooked. Outdated software, dust accumulation, and worn-out components force systems to overexert themselves, leading to increased energy consumption and reduced lifespan.
Problems
Scheduled maintenance helps in optimizing equipment functionality while also uncovering problems early before they become expensive to fix and significant energy sinks. Regular HVAC tune-ups, check-ups of lighting systems, machinery lubrication, and calibrating energy monitoring tools are a few processes under this.
Mitigates
Being documented helps a maintenance plan enforce compliance and standardization. Proactively, this mitigates energy and operational cost fluctuations while improving safety, system longevity, and the overall predictability of costs.
How We Can Help
Aemeco’s forte is energy optimization and cost reduction which is achieved through our custom-designed energy management frameworks. We assist businesses throughout their optimization journey by offering services ranging from holistic audits and advanced building automation to renewables incorporation and staff training. Give us a call today and let us start saving you energy and money.