Energy Efficiency Upgrade Tips For Small & Medium Commercial Buildings

Needless to say, one of the pressing issues affecting the environment is climate change. 

Do you know that melting polar ice caps, ozone layer holes, continuously rising ocean water, and many more are direct consequences of climate change? Well, these are the results of our reckless use of natural resources and harmful substances. 

Because of this, governments all over the world have introduced policies to reduce this adverse effect, and some companies have developed technologies that aid in this endeavor. Saving energy is one such method that you can find in every other policy. Usually, it involves the judicious use of electricity and making the environment energy efficient. 

Today, we will discuss everything you need to know to have improved energy efficiency in small as well as medium commercial buildings. Let’s not delay any further and dive right in. 

Reasons Why Energy Efficiency Should Matter To You

Below are a few reasons why sustainable use of energy is important: 

• Reduced operational and maintenance costs: When you upgrade the energy efficiency of your building, you get visibility into the performance of your equipment. The data will give you important information and even reveal issues with your existing energy system and whether you need to fix them or not.  
• Tax incentives: When you reach a certain energy efficiency level, you get tax deductions from the state as well as the federal government. The major tax incentive that you can get is $1.80 per square foot for upgrades that save cooling and heating costs by at least 50%. 
• Improved property value: Everyone knows that energy-efficient buildings are in more demand among tenants and investors. This is because these buildings have reduced electricity bills. Also, when a company works from a building that is energy efficient, it will boost its image and relationship with various stakeholders like the public, employees, investors, and customers. This is how investing in energy-efficient buildings can be so beneficial. 
• Better tenant comfort: When you install perfectly designed mechanical systems and components, you create a comfortable working environment for your tenants. The level of occupancy is very low for inefficient commercial buildings. This is mainly due to low comfort levels when it comes to temperature and lighting. 
• Lower greenhouse emissions: In many U.S. homes, burning coal, natural gas, or petroleum produces electricity. Burning such resources results in the emission of carbon dioxide into the air at high levels. Commercial buildings that have improved energy efficiency have a very low emission rate due to the use of superior equipment. Well, quite naturally, it benefits the environment to a great extent. 

Tips For Improving Energy Efficiency In Commercial Buildings

We have discussed how important it is to improve the power conservation capabilities of these office or commercial buildings, but we will now share a few ideas on how to do it.

• Energy efficiency audits: This will help you understand where power is consumed, how much, and if any issues need to be fixed or adjusted. An expert usually conducts this inspection and gives you advice on how you can improve your building’s efficiency. They will review your electricity bills and HVAC systems; they will also evaluate the costs that you will incur when installing energy-efficient units and the potential benefits you will get from them. 
• Daylight utilization: One of the cheapest ways of achieving energy efficiency increase in commercial buildings is by increasing the size of your windows and removing clutter. To utilize daylight to the fullest extent, you can even remodel the workspaces and enhance the floor plan. You can install skylights, energy-efficient windows that block heat and let in light, and daylight sensors to automate indoor lighting. 
• Choose the right ventilation system: This is essential to keep the air inside the building and workspaces fresh. You can use underfloor air distribution (UFAD) systems as they deliver conditioned air through the open space between the access floor system and the concrete slab. This allows air delivery through the numerous supply outlets at the floor level instead of overhead. They are highly efficient in minimizing the use of energy and improving thermal comfort increasing the building efficiency of energy. 
• Buy energy-certified equipment: You can save a huge chunk of your heating and cooling costs by shifting to energy-efficient systems. The products that are Energy Star Certified are trusted energy-saving equipment and appliances. 
• Regulate heating and cooling with thermostats: A lot of energy is wasted when people use more energy than what is required. Cooling and heating, when not required, is one of the most common ways by which energy costs go up significantly. Therefore, installing a thermostat can minimize these unnecessary costs, especially if you install a programmable one. It will provide you with precise heating and cooling.

Local Law 97 (LL97)

In New York, you need to comply with various energy codes for buildings, be it commercial or residential. The code that small and medium-sized buildings need to follow is LL97 or Local Law 97. 

This law imposes a $268 penalty for every ton of CO2 a building exceeds beyond the limit. Also, NYC Local Law 97 requires buildings with space over 25,000 sqft to comply with new energy efficiency standards and greenhouse gas emissions. 

You should consider hiring a consultant to help you stay in compliance with Local Law 97. They will help you—

• Assess The Energy Efficiency Of Your Building: They will provide you with a detailed report on your building’senergy use and identify areas where upgrades can be made to reduce emissions and save money spent on energy costs. 
• Develop a Compliance Plan: This is like a roadmap to attaining long-term sustainability and includes upgrades and investment advice on equipment that can aid in improved energy efficiency and reporting your emissions to the city. 
• Provide Support with Reporting and Monitoring: The LL97 states building owners need to report their property’s emissions to the city every year. When you hire a consultant, you will get the support and advice necessary for this process, and they will also ensure that your report is accurate. 

Final Thoughts

After years of not thinking about the health of our planet and using its resources without considering what impact it may have, it has led to climate change. This is now a very serious issue, and as human beings, we must do everything to restore balance in our climate. 

As commercial property owners, you can make buildings energy-efficient. You should now be clear about why it is so important to increase the building efficiency of energy. Not only will it save you money, but it will also help in reducing the adverse effects that your establishment can have on the environment. 

You can follow the tips mentioned above to make your building energy efficient; you can hire The Cotocon Group to help you remain compliant and also get advice for the best methods and strategies. Do your research and choose someone who is experienced and has the right knowledge required for the job to attain commercial energy efficiency when you hire them. 

Recent Posts

• Boston: Smino Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award By Harvard’s Black Men’s Forum
• Start Your Wealth Journey: Open A Demat Account For Easy Stock Investing
• One Test, Many Badges: Mayor Adams’ Public Safety Job Series Hits From Harlem To Hollis
• Top Challenges For New Dumpster Rental Companies And How To Overcome Them
• How Inadequate Maintenance Causes Truck Accidents
• Sponsored Love: How Gammill Law Provides Expert Legal Help For Injury Cases
• Rudy’s World: Notre-Dame de Paris, The Augmented, An Exhibit In Harlem 
• Mayor Adams Toasts Two Record Years: Empowering Women And Minority Entrepreneurs!
• Finding The Perfect Fit: A Guide To Flattering Jeans For Every Body Type 
• Sponsored Love: Unlock The Internet With IP2World Proxy, Exceptional Value With Tailored Proxy Plans
• Effortless Restaurant Inventory Management: Tips And Tools