Using these recommendations as a guide, look at five areas in which improvements can often be made that will make a noticeable difference in energy use. The new guide describes these areas and the improvements that can be made.
Lighting is the single largest electrical load in a typical commercial building.
Switching from incandescent bulbs to efficient fluorescent lamps and installing reflective panels and lighting controls are among measures you can take. Building envelopes . Locating air leaks and sealing with caulk and weatherstrip, and installing new energy efficient windows are some of the options that will reduce the loss of heat in winter and of cooled air in summer. Maintaining an annual service schedule on HVAC equipment is cost effective for commercial buildings. Three important measures to include in any annual checkup of the heating unit are burner adjustment for maximum combustion efficiency, removal of soot, scale and other buildup that decreases heat transfer, and a check of the thermostat's set points and, if necessary, recalibration to ensure accuracy.