4 Ways to Keep Your Heating & Cooling Budget Cost and Energy Efficient
Not all heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is created equal. Here are 4 ways to save money and save energy when it comes to heating and cooling your building.
1. Consider replacing your HVAC system with a newer, more efficient model.
Given that a significant portion of your building maintenance cost goes to heating and cooling, it’s important to make smart decisions about your HVAC system as this can have a major effect on your energy costs.
When is it time to consider replacing your HVAC system?
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When your equipment needs frequent repairs.
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When you notice your energy bills are increasing.
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When your HVAC system is more than 20 years old.
Although new equipment can be more expensive to purchase up front, the cost difference is paid back over time through less repairs and lower energy bills. New high-efficiency models could cut your energy costs by as much as 30 percent.
Be sure to ask BC Comfort about possible rebates which can help reduce the difference in price between standard and high efficiency models.
2. Use Variable Speed Drives to increase efficiency.
The fans and pumps that move heated or cooled air or water to condition spaces uses a significant portion of a building’s energy. In most commercial buildings, HVAC fans and pumps are the second largest users of electricity after lighting. Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) allow motor driven loads such as fans and pumps to operate in response to varying load requirements, instead of simply operating in “on/off” mode. VSDs increase efficiency and provide precise control.
3. Consider a Demand Controlled Ventilation System
Much of the energy used to condition an occupied space is achieved by heating or cooling outdoor-sourced air.
Demand controlled ventilation systems use CO2 sensors to supply outdoor air base don the actual building occupancy, while preserving indoor air quality.
Energy is saved because lower volumes of outdoor air can often be reduced by as much as 50% in buildings with variable occupancy patterns.
4. When replacing boilers, choose Condensing Gas Boilers.
Condensing gas boilers are highly efficient boilers that have much lower fuel and running costs than conventional boilers. Condensing gas boilers feature additional advanced heat exchanger designs and materials that extract more heat from the flue gases before they are exhausted.
Speak to one of our Service Experts today to learn more about how you can further improve your energy and HVAC maintenance costs.
