It’s no secret that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is one of the biggest contributors to your monthly energy bills. They consume a lot of electricity to keep your building cool during the summer and warm during the winter. The less efficient these machines are, the more energy is wasted. HVAC efficiency is crucial for saving on business costs.
How to Improve Maintenance Efficiency
Although your HVAC unit may be in working order, that doesn’t necessarily mean your heating and cooling system is energy efficient. Did you know that an older AC unit uses about 30% to 50% more energy to produce the same amount of cooling as a more modern, energy-efficient system? It’s important that you have your building’s HVAC checked regularly to see if it is running optimally. If your electric bills are steadily rising from month to month, that’s a telltale sign there’s a problem.
What can be done if you find that your system isn’t as energy efficient as it could be? In some cases, you’ll need to replace the equipment. However, more often than not, regular maintenance can solve the problem. A technician can use certain energy conservation methods to enhance the performance of your building’s HVAC. These techniques include:
Planned Maintenance
Too many companies are reactive when it comes to their HVAC needs and only request maintenance when it’s necessary. This often leads to costly downtime and expensive repair bills. Through regularly scheduled maintenance, technicians can identify issues before they become bigger problems. Maintenance also serves to prolong the life of your HVAC so you can avoid the cost of having to replace the entire system.
Sealing Ducts
One of the most overlooked ways to make your HVAC unit more efficient is to seal and insulate the air ducts. Sealing the seams and connections of ducts with duct sealant or metal-backed tape will improve airflow. Wrapping the newly sealed ducts in insulation prevents the ducts from becoming hot or cold. Taking these actions can improve efficiency by up to 20%.
Cleaning Air Filters
Air filters are responsible for removing impurities that are floating in the air. This can include particles like dust, pet dander, and even bacteria. By catching these impurities before they can make their way through the system and be released on the other side, the air filter improves indoor air quality within the office.
When was your building’s air filter last changed? If your filter is dirty, your commercial HVAC system will have to work harder to keep your building at the right temperature. It’s recommended that filters be changed regularly—every three months at the minimum. However, you really should be checking on your filter every month, especially during periods of heavy usage such as during the summer or winter.
Installation of Energy-Efficient Controls
If your building doesn’t have modern energy-efficient controls, you may be flushing money down the toilet. Imagine you run a business with a 20-person office. One day you all decide to go to lunch to celebrate a coworker’s achievement. Despite no one being in the office at that time, is your HVAC still running?
In a scenario like this, integrating a control system like occupancy sensors will tell your HVAC when and when not to turn on. An energy management control system can allow you to set schedules. Finally, a good thermostat can clearly communicate with your HVAC the exact temperature you’d like your office to stay at. A study conducted by the Department of Energy found that commercial buildings can save an average of 38% with controls.
Did you know that an older AC unit uses about 30% to 50% more energy to produce the same amount of cooling as a more modern, energy-efficient system?
Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your HVAC With A&G
A&G Services specializes in mechanical solutions. Our team of technicians is highly skilled and knowledgeable. With our preventative maintenance services, we’ll help you maximize the performance of your HVAC, while saving you money in the process.
If you’d like to learn more about our HVAC services, contact us today!
