From Guest Blogger Brooke Chaplan: How to Make Your Company Facility More Energy-Efficient in 2017

Making your facility more energy-efficient requires a multi-pronged approach. From the heating and air conditioning to the plumbing, resources can be maximized at every step. These actions offer long-term energy efficiency solutions.

Insulation

Buildings of all sizes benefit from insulated walls, ceilings and floors. The U.S. Department of Energy offers guidance on the recommended R-value that is necessary to keep the warm air inside during the wintertime and the hot air outside during the summertime. Adding insulation reduces the workload on your business’ heating and air conditioning system. It also helps to reduce heat loss through the ceilings and minimizes the formation of ice dams in cold climates.

HVAC Systems

Your company’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is likely to be the biggest user of energy in your facility. Maintenance of this system is essential to boosting its energy efficiency. An air conditioning checkup in the spring and a heating checkup in the autumn ensures that the equipment will be ready to perform at peak efficiency when you need it. When it comes time to replace your HVAC system, look for equipment with the highest possible seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) ratings. Equipment with the Energy Star rating is also highly efficient and can help you to save on your electricity and natural gas costs.

Plumbing System Maintenance

Plumbing system maintenance is also essential to energy efficiency. Some companies, such as Ragan Mechanical Inc., realize that leaky fixtures can waste hundreds of gallons of water every week. An inefficient water heating setup can waste a great deal of electricity or natural gas. Maintenance of the plumbing system includes checking and repairing leaks, inspecting for sediment buildup and adding insulation to pipes and water heaters to prevent heat loss and frozen pipes.

Weather-stripping and Air Sealing

Weather-stripping is an adhesive and flexible material that helps to seal out air around door and window frames. Air sealing takes this a step further and makes use of foams and caulk to seal tiny cracks and gaps around the intersection of different types of building materials. Together, these products help to keep the heated air inside of your business during the winter and the conditioned air inside during the summer. They also increase comfort by reducing drafts.

Energy efficiency lowers utility costs and reduces your carbon footprint. These actions will also show your investors that you care about efficiency. These simple four steps will help to keep your company facility more energy-efficient in 2017.