Is your energy bill monstrous? Chances are, hidden energy hogs are lurking in your facility, draining efficiency and profits. These sneaky culprits hide in plain sight, driving up costs and harming the environment.
Wasted energy in facilities is a huge problem, and it goes beyond just the bottom line. Every kilowatt-hour unnecessarily consumed contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, strains power grids, and depletes resources. For facility managers, this means a double whammy: higher bills and greater environmental impact.
Enough lurking in the shadows! This guide will help you unmask these energy vampires and restore efficiency to your facility. By identifying and addressing the common energy hogs, you’ll gain control over your energy costs and take a powerful step towards a more sustainable operation.
Let’s get started!
Wasted energy in facilities is a huge problem, and it goes beyond just the bottom line
Identifying the Energy Hogs
Energy hogs aren’t always obvious. They could be hiding within your HVAC system, lurking in outdated lighting fixtures, or draining power as phantom energy from plugged-in devices. Let’s shine a light on the most common ones in your facility:
HVAC Systems
- Inefficient Settings and Scheduling: Are you heating vacant spaces or blasting AC overnight? Misaligned settings and schedules lead to massive energy waste.
- Outdated Equipment: Old furnaces, boilers, and chillers are notorious energy guzzlers. Upgrading to high-efficiency models often delivers a fast return on investment.
- Leaky Ductwork and Poor Insulation: Conditioned air escaping through cracks in ductwork or poorly insulated walls is like throwing money out the window.
Lighting
- Old, Inefficient Bulbs and Fixtures: Incandescent bulbs are relics! Even some older fluorescents are less efficient than modern LED options.
- Over-lighting or Lights Left On: Unnecessarily bright spaces or lights left burning in vacant rooms waste energy and money.
Plug Loads
- Phantom Energy from Devices Left Plugged In: Computers, printers, and even phone chargers can suck energy while idle. Unplug when not in use!
- Inefficient Equipment: Old computers, appliances, and outdated electronics can be serious energy drains.
Hot Water Systems
- Leaky Pipes or Fixtures: A dripping faucet could waste hundreds of gallons of heated water a year. Fix leaks promptly!
- Improper Insulation: Uninsulated hot water storage tanks and pipes lose heat needlessly, making your system work harder.
Building Envelope
- Air Leaks and Drafts: Gaps around windows, doors, and where pipes enter your building let conditioned air escape. Seal them up!
- Poor Insulation in Walls, Floors, and Roofs: Inadequate insulation means you’re spending money to heat or cool the outdoors.
Note: The biggest energy hogs in your facility will depend on your specific building and operations. That’s why an energy audit, which we’ll discuss next, is so important!
How to Tame the Hogs
Now that you know where the energy hogs lurk, it’s time to take action! Here’s a step-by-step approach to restoring efficiency:
Conduct an Energy Audit
- Options: Start with a DIY walk-through to spot obvious issues. Many utility companies offer free or low-cost audits. For complex facilities, a professional energy assessor can provide a detailed analysis.
- Tools: Infrared cameras (can sometimes be rented) can reveal heat loss. Energy monitoring software can track consumption patterns over time.
Prioritize Fixes
- Focus on the Big Hogs: Your audit will reveal where energy waste is most severe. Target those areas first for the highest return on your efforts.
Low-Cost/No-Cost Solutions
- Optimize HVAC Schedules: Adjust heating and cooling times to match actual building use. A programmable or smart thermostat makes this easy.
- Encourage Behavioral Changes: Educate occupants on turning off lights, unplugging devices, and reporting leaks or heating/cooling issues.
- Seal Air Leaks: Inexpensive caulk and weatherstripping can make a surprising difference in drafts and energy bills.
Bigger Investments, Bigger Returns
- Upgrade to ENERGY STAR: When replacing equipment (appliances, HVAC, water heaters), always choose ENERGY STAR-certified models for guaranteed efficiency.
- Retrofit Lighting with LEDs: LEDs deliver massive energy savings and pay for themselves over time. Consider occupancy sensors for added savings.
- Insulation Improvements: Upgrading attic, wall, and crawlspace insulation delivers long-term energy savings, especially in older buildings.
Go Beyond Efficiency: Renewable Energy
- Feasibility of Solar or Geothermal: Investigate if your location and facility are suitable for solar panels or geothermal systems. Incentives and rebates can significantly offset costs.
Important Tip: Even with major upgrades, simple, ongoing maintenance is essential. Clean HVAC filters, regular inspections, and fixing small problems proactively all ensure the energy savings continue!
Tools and Resources to Help You Win
Taming energy hogs is an ongoing process. Here are some resources to support your efficiency journey:
- ENERGY STAR for Buildings: The ENERGY STAR website has a wealth of information, calculators, and guides for benchmarking your facility’s energy performance and comparing products.
- Utility Company Programs: Many utility companies offer rebates, incentives, and financing options for energy efficiency projects. Check your provider’s website for what’s available.
- Government Programs: The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) is a searchable database of state and federal incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency investments.
- Energy Monitoring Software: There are many software options available for tracking energy usage, analyzing trends, and pinpointing areas for improvement.
- Professional Associations: Organizations like the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) offer resources, training, and best practices in energy management.
Every bit of energy saved makes a difference for your bottom line and for the environment!
Do you have a favorite energy-saving tool or resource? Share it in the comments!
Taming energy hogs takes effort, but the rewards are huge. By tackling inefficiencies in your facility, you cut costs, reduce your environmental footprint, and create a more comfortable and efficient space for everyone.
Where the Energy Hogs Hide:
- HVAC systems
- Lighting
- Plug loads
- Hot water systems
- Building envelope
Facility managers have the power to make a real difference. Whether it’s simple behavior changes, smart upgrades, or pursuing renewable energy, every step towards efficiency matters.
