How To Reduce Energy Use In Commercial Buildings

Saving energy is more than just a good idea. It also is essential for a healthy bottom line.

No one intends to spend more money than is necessary on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). However, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) notes that 30 percent of the energy used in commercial buildings typically goes to waste.

Heating makes up the lion’s share of commercial energy use. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), heating accounts for 32 percent of energy used in commercial buildings, ventilation represents 11 percent, and cooling makes up 9 percent.

Cut energy waste and rein in HVAC costs at your business in Oak Brook, IL, with equipment upgrades, preventative maintenance, and energy efficiencies. Our expert technicians at Amber Mechanical Contractors, Inc. can recommend solutions that will help you reduce energy use in your building while improving comfort and safety for your employees, customers, and other building occupants.

Energy-saving improvements can enhance HVAC system performance and increase the value of your commercial property.

Building Management

Energy efficiency starts with an audit. An energy audit can pinpoint how your business uses and wastes energy. It provides the information needed to determine the appropriate strategies for reducing energy consumption in your building. 

A building automation system (BAS) takes the day-to-day responsibility for monitoring energy use and equipment needs off your plate and puts it on ours.

By installing a BAS in your Oak Brook building, we can monitor HVAC performance and energy efficiency, troubleshoot problems, and adjust system components. We do it all without having to set foot in your building. Ask us about providing HVAC management services.

Upgrade or Retrofit

Installing new equipment offers an opportunity to select the best in high-efficiency HVAC.

For example, replacing an older, traditional heating and cooling system with a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system will lower operating expenses and offer flexibility. VRFs can simultaneously heat and cool in a building. The outdoor unit can accommodate multiple air handlers, making it a good fit for large commercial properties.

Smaller buildings can benefit from energy-efficient systems with programmable thermostats, variable-speed compressors, and variable-speed blower motors. At Amber Mechanical Contractors, Inc., we can design and construct an efficient, cost-effective comfort system suited to your building’s size and needs.

Another option is retrofitting your HVAC equipment with new, efficient components rather than replacing it with a new system. Retrofitting is typically less expensive and will help reduce energy use.

Economizers

Consider installing an economizer to save money on cooling costs. This device samples the outdoor air temperature and humidity level in Illinois and compares them to indoor settings. If indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity levels are the same, the economizer opens dampers that permit outside air to enter your building.

Meanwhile, the cooling system shuts down, which saves on energy use. With the economizer periodically taking over air conditioning duties, it helps to prolong the cooling system’s service life. 

Other Energy Savers

• Keep your HVAC system in top shape with preventative maintenance. At Amber Mechanical Contractors, Inc., we tailor tune-ups to your specific needs. Maintenance frequency depends on the type of equipment you own, its location on your property, and environmental issues that may affect its operation.
• Install shades or blinds on south-facing windows to block direct sunlight from adding heat to your building in the summer.
• Dial the thermostat back when your building is unoccupied.
• Keep the space around air vents free of furniture, office equipment, décor, and other objects. Blocking a vent reduces airflow and strains your HVAC system.
• Invest in insulation and caulking to seal air leaks.

Talk to the Experts Today

Our qualified team at Amber Mechanical Contractors, Inc. can provide energy-saving solutions for your commercial building in Oak Brook, IL. Call us at 1-800-59-AMBER or request service online.