Energy Savings: Turn Off, Tune Up and Check Out
Looking to reduce your energy costs? Why not start with some low-cost operational and maintenance (O&M) measures? Often, taking a little extra time to simply turn things off, tune things up and check things out can go a long way toward lowering your operating costs without putting a big dent in your operating budget.
Turn things off
Optimize energy savings with equipment scheduling and controls.
Operating equipment only when needed is the most effective way to eliminate energy waste, and the payback is immediate. Periodically review operating schedules, control strategies and occupant needs to ensure that lights and equipment are not operating more than necessary.
Maximizing the use of control systems is another energy-saving strategy that's often overlooked. Many facilities have complex building automation systems (BAS) in place, but they usually only use them to turn things on and off. BAS systems can be programmed for more sophisticated control strategies — such as optimal start/stop, air- and water-side economizing, chilled and hot water resets, night setback and setup and more — that can dramatically increase energy savings.
Tune things up
Examine your current O&M practices, implement any identified areas for improvement and document your activities.
Examine O&M practices to look for tune-up opportunities. An assessment may include testing equipment and controls, checking variables like pressures and temperatures and reviewing schedules and control strategies to identify areas for improvement.
Implement tune-up opportunities that you have identified and prioritized. Many improvement measures can be implemented quickly and at little or no cost. For example, modifying control strategies or schedules to account for changing seasons or operating needs may take only a short time to implement but can provide savings for months to come.
Control documentation is essential to energy-efficient operation. Record any changes to variables such as temperature setpoints, sensor location or control settings whenever they occur. With this information, you'll be better able to maintain system performance over time and troubleshoot operational problems as they arise.
Check things out
Many facilities have preventive maintenance programs that focus solely on equipment performance and reliability. While important, you should also include energy-efficient operations in your preventive maintenance program.
Regularly review lighting and HVAC schedules, temperature setpoints and occupant habits, and use requirements to make sure that equipment runs only when needed. Develop a process to monitor BAS schedules and control strategies to ensure proper operation and identify any necessary adjustments.
Perform an after-hours walkthrough of your facility regularly to observe the operation of HVAC systems, lighting, office equipment and other devices. Often, you can quickly spot issues such as lights left on in empty spaces or equipment running when it shouldn't be. It's a great opportunity to listen for unusual noises that may indicate improper equipment operation or maintenance issues.
Track equipment performance over time. Implement a process for measuring and tracking actual equipment performance against expected equipment performance. Develop procedures that include an inspection methodology and frequency for each system or piece of equipment, metrics and reporting and resolving performance deficiencies.
By restructuring your maintenance program to include activities that involve energy-efficient operation, you can optimize equipment and building performance and save energy and money.
There are hundreds more ways you can save energy at work every day. Check out ElectricIdeas.com/WorkTips for video resources, tips and calculators or easy ways to cut your energy costs and pick a few to work into your routine.
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