You can have the most state-of-the-art commercial HVAC system on the market, but if the people inside your building aren’t on the same page, you could still be facing high energy bills. Simple habits, like leaving lights on, running equipment unnecessarily, or constantly adjusting the thermostat, can force your system to work overtime. True energy efficiency is a team effort. While technical tune-ups are essential, educating your building’s occupants is an equally powerful tool for cutting costs. We’ll cover how to get everyone involved, from implementing simple daily checklists to using programmable controls to your advantage.
Considering your Commercial HVAC System uses half of the total energy your property consumes, you’re probably wondering how you can save some energy! Not to mention, the average commercial building wastes roughly 30% of the consumed energy. That’s a lot of waste when your system uses half of the total energy you pay for! Rest assured, we know how to optimize your commercial HVAC system so that it runs more efficiently and saves you money. Determine What Shape Your System Is In First, you should start with an energy audit and inspection from a professional HVAC technician. Just call us and schedule an appointment with one of our qualified HVAC technicians. We can take a look at your HVAC system and determine what shape it’s in as a whole. It helps us to get the entire picture of your system’s performance if you can collect all your past year’s utility bills. Also, if you’ve had any repairs or service done on your system, you should have information from that as well. All this information can help our HVAC technicians look for any trends in your system’s performance. Educate Your Employees & Other Building Occupants Another great way to save some energy, and some money as well, is to educate your building’s occupants on the best ways to save energy. Ensure that they’re turning off their computers at night, unplugging anything that doesn’t have to stay plugged in, and turning off any lights that don’t need to stay on. Hold a group training session so you can educate everyone at once. This also reduces mistakes due to word of mouth explanations, etc. Use Timers and Other Program Controls If your system is equipped with a timer and other specific controls – use them! They’re there to save you money! When your building is empty, keep the air conditioning, heat, and lights turned down during those off hours. If your commercial building is smaller, then you can use a programmable thermostat. If it’s a larger building, you can use a timer system. You can program it to turn on sooner so that the building can be cooled off or warmed up before anyone arrives, but you’ll still save that energy throughout the day or night when the building is empty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Besides saving money, are there other benefits to making my HVAC system more efficient? Yes, absolutely. A well-running system provides more consistent and comfortable temperatures throughout your building, which can make a big difference in employee focus and satisfaction. An efficient system also experiences less wear and tear, which can lead to a longer lifespan for your equipment and fewer surprise breakdowns.
How can I get my team on board with saving energy without it feeling like just another rule? The best approach is to frame it as a shared goal that benefits everyone. You can talk about creating a more comfortable and sustainable workplace. Instead of just posting a list of rules, explain the “why” behind turning off lights or equipment. When people understand the impact, they’re much more likely to participate.
What exactly happens during a professional HVAC energy audit? During an audit, a technician performs a complete check-up of your system. They’ll inspect all the key components—like filters, coils, and ductwork—to find any inefficiencies or potential problems. They will also review your past utility bills to identify trends and pinpoint the biggest opportunities for energy savings.
My building is occupied 24/7. Can programmable controls still help me save? Definitely. Even in a building that’s always in use, there are almost always periods of lower activity. You can program your system to slightly adjust the temperature during these lulls, such as late at night or in less-used zones, without affecting comfort. These small, consistent adjustments really add up over time.
Is changing our habits enough, or do I need to budget for a new system? Changing habits is a powerful first step that costs nothing and can deliver immediate results, so it’s always the best place to start. An initial system inspection will tell you if your current equipment is the main issue. Often, simple maintenance and smarter energy use are all you need, but a technician can help you determine if an upgrade would be a more effective long-term solution.
Key Takeaways
- Get a clear baseline of your system’s health: An energy audit from a professional technician is the first step to understanding where your system is wasting energy and how to fix it.
- Involve your building’s occupants: Simple, consistent habits from your team—like turning off lights and equipment—add up to major energy savings that technology alone can’t achieve.
- Use programmable controls to your advantage: Set your thermostats and timers to automatically adjust temperatures during off-hours. This is one of the easiest ways to cut costs without affecting comfort.