As the energy shortage intensifies, prices will continue to rise and impact the bottom line of organizations large and small. To avoid financial setbacks — while also making strides toward sustainability goals — energy waste must be addressed in commercial buildings.
There are two main approaches to improving energy efficiency in a commercial building. The first is taking steps to renovate the structure. From retrofitting the HVAC system to implementing programmable smart technology, there are many ways to optimize energy usage through equipment and structural changes.
For instance, the EPA recommends upgrading outmoded equipment to modern models with ENERGY STAR certification. This could apply to food service equipment in a commercial kitchen or the water heater in a retail store setting. Other equipment features to look for include built-in timers and energy sensors as well as sleep and low-power modes.
The other approach is to change workplace practices. A great place to get started is to perform an energy audit. For more about commercial building energy usage and how to reduce waste, check out the accompanying resource for further information.
Commercial Building Energy Usage 101 from Power Kiosk, a provider of energy broker software
