Temperature Control

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

• Adjust your thermostat settings. We recommend 76°F - 78°F during cooling months and 66°F - 68°F during heating months.
• Check thermostats for accuracy.
• Reduce HVAC run time. Unless it's against your specific business/company regulations, turn off the system 30 minutes before closing time. The residual heat/cool will keep people comfortable.
• Contrary to popular belief, turning off HVAC and allowing a building to heat up or cool down does save energy dollars. Turn off HVAC when the building is unoccupied.
• Install a 7-day programmable thermostat for complete system control.
• Regularly clean or replace all filters and the coil (for outside units).
• Hire an expert to service your HVAC units on an annual basis.
• Install ceiling fans. They use very little energy and can significantly reduce AC demand.

Maximizing Windows, Doors, and More

• Windows and doors can settle and loosen, causing spaces that let in summer heat or winter cold. Caulk or weatherstrip gaps to eliminate drafts and air loss.
• Identify and fix doors and windows that don't close completely.
• Replace broken glass.
• Add blinds, shades, or curtains.
• Check the building's insulation. Not sure if it's insulated? Ask your landlord, if you rent, or request a free inspection from an insulation contractor.

Lighting

• Turn off lights in unoccupied areas. Install switches with photosensors or occupancy sensors.
• Use timers to control lights' "on times;" regularly check automatic controls and replace them when they're not working properly.
• Use partial lighting before and after "public" hours.
• Reduce outside lighting. Consider using instant-on lighting that uses motion sensors. Use high intensity discharge (HID) lights, which are long-lived and efficient.
• Retrofit EXIT signs with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. You'll add up to 100,000 hours of life!
• Remove incandescent lamps and replace them with more efficient, compact, low-wattage fluorescent lamps.
• Dust, grease, and other dirt that accumulates on lamps, lenses, globes, and reflecting surfaces can reduce light output as much as 30%! Professionals recommend cleaning light fixtures every other year.
• Have recessed lights? Install low-wattage reflector lamps which project the same amount of light as a higher wattage standard bulb.
• Need a tighter beam for displays? Switch to halogen lamps.

Hot Water

• Insulate the hot water storage tank or distribution pipes. If the tank feels hot or warm to your hand, it needs insulation.
• Clean out sediment that accumulates in the bottom of a tank water heater. Flush the water tank every six months by opening the drain valve near the bottom.
• Install a 7-day timer that controls water heater operation.
• Set your water heater to 105° if your company only needs hot water for hand washing or showers.

Machines and Equipment

• Check the NEMA ratings when you're buying a motor or equipment that needs a motor to operate.
• Buy high-efficiency equipment that is properly sized; consider a variable speed drive.
• Turn off machines when they're not needed. Install machines that have "energy saver" or "sleep" modes.
• Adjust controls to temperatures, speeds, or other settings that use less energy but still do the job properly.
• Regularly service energy-using equipment to maintain peak operational efficiency.