The average commercial building wastes up to 30 percent of the energy it uses for heating and air conditioning, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. It doesn’t have to be that way. Effective operations and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) are cost-effective ways to ensure optimal equipment performance and the highest level of building efficiency.
For starters, we recommend you schedule a free Tampa Electric walk-through Energy Audit. Our energy expert will provide targeted recommendations for optimizing HVAC energy consumption in your commercial building.
In the meantime, here are five easy tips to consider. Keep in mind that not every approach may be right for every building.
Maintenance: Regular quality maintenance on all HVAC systems and equipment ensures that those systems and equipment are not wasting energy due to substandard, aging or faulty performance.
Filters: Inspecting and replacing dirty filters monthly is one of the simplest sustainability steps a business can take. Dirty filters overwork HVAC systems by restricting air flow, cost far more to use, lead to poor indoor air quality and result in more maintenance issues and costs.
Sealing heating and cooling ducts: Doing something as simple as properly sealing heating and cooling ducts can improve HVAC efficiency by 20 percent or more. Ducts can be sealed using mastic, foil tape or blown-in duct sealant, such as Aerosol.
Cooling Controls: Installing smart thermostats or a Facility Energy Management System allows you to stagger your cooling units’ times of operation, so they do not all turn on at the same time and spike your peak load. Tampa Electric’s Smart Thermostat rebate pays up to 50 percent of the project costs, with a maximum of $4,500, when you install one or more smart thermostats. Our Facility Energy Management System program pays a rebate up to 50 percent of the project cost, with a maximum of $25,000.
HVAC Replacement: If a building’s air conditioner or heat pump is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with one rated for energy efficiency. High energy efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps can improve sustainability and reduce energy costs by up to 20 percent. Check out Tampa Electric’s Chiller rebate and Cooling Program.
Additional resources:
- The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
- United States Environmental Protection Agency – Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
- ENERGY STAR® – Operation and Maintenance Best Practices for Energy-Efficient Buildings | ENERGY STAR Buildings and Plants
Tampa Electric offers more energy-saving programs than any other electric utility in the state. Visit tampaelectric.com/bizsave to learn more.
