Your building’s energy consumption is skyrocketing. How can you reduce it?

In my experience before even getting into detailed energy assessment/ audit it is equally important to measure key metrics like Energy performance index (EPI) or average annual hourly EPI of the target building at high level. The key metric based on building end use, climate, hours of use, air conditioned space etc should then be compared with Industry benchmarks to estimate the energy saving potential at a high level.

An energy audit involves a comprehensive examination of building's energy use to identify inefficiencies and areas of wastage.During an energy audit, professionals assess the efficiency of existing equipment, insulation levels, and the overall building envelope.Data loggers and meters may be employed to monitor energy consumption patterns over time. Pinpoint specific areas where energy is being used inefficiently or excessively.Once identified, targeted strategies and recommendations can be developed to address and improve energy efficiency.These strategies may include upgrading equipment to more energy-efficient models,optimizing systems,and adopting smart technologies.

To curb escalating energy consumption, consider implementing energy-efficient technologies like LED lighting, smart thermostats, and occupancy sensors. Enhance insulation, seal gaps in doors/windows, and promote energy-conscious behaviors among occupants. Investing in renewable energy sources such as solar panels can offset traditional energy usage. Regular energy audits and setting achievable reduction goals are crucial for sustainable energy management.

In my experience i have found that having smart Homes with controlled energy consumption will be a long way in saving Household Energy consumption.

The HVAC design engineers should reduce the Heat Load Calculation Safety factor. This will reduce the Energy consumption by atleast 30%.

one of the most effective way to upgrade your lighting and minismise energy consumption is using for the day time the solartube which is a duct contain multiple mirror inside it to assist the sun light reach inside the room and lighten up the space also the color of walls and the material choosen for the bottom of the room have to be well chossen to minimise the number of bulbs

Using motion sensors with led will save a huge amount of electricity. Also need to check the lux capacity so that led can be placed efficiently.

Depending on the situation, retro, re-commissioning and continuous commissioning are great ways to stay on top of your mechanical systems. Over time, mechanical system performance will decrease as the system ages. By re-commissioning these systems, you can save money on your energy bills. Something as simple as faulty damper or valve actuator can cause a significant increase in your energy usage. Cleaning and changing filters will not offer the same benefits as commissioning; if the system has fallen away from design specifications you will continue to waste energy.

If your car wasn’t running right and the fuel economy was poor every journey as indicated by the cars own built in trip computer, you might get a service or perhaps if that did t fix the problem, you may take it to a fuel specialist or even an engine management tuning specialist. That’s much the same principle with a commercial building that uses too much energy, however most buildings don’t have a trip computer much like some older cars and your only indication that the building is using more energy is when the meter readings increase and the monthly energy bill arrives. Servicing the BMS alone doesn’t necessarily mean the building will run more efficiently, this skill is usually left to a specialist BMS optimisation engineer

Optimizing HVAC systems is crucial for enhancing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs. Regular maintenance is a fundamental aspect of this optimization.This includes cleaning or replacing air filters, checking and tightening electrical connections, lubricating moving parts, and inspecting the overall system for any issues. Upgrading to more energy-efficient HVAC models is another essential step in optimization. Modern systems often come with advanced technologies. Incorporating smart technologies for precise control over heating and cooling cycles, adapting to occupancy patterns and environmental conditions. This can lead to substantial energy savings by avoiding unnecessary operation when spaces are unoccupied.

If you have a BAS then look to see if it is being utilized to it's full potential. Are you using systems unnecessarily when the space is not being utilized? Look at occupancy and scheduling. Are there opportunities to change setpoints to conserve energy at different times of the year or based on different outside air conditions? Are you making use of free cooling? Are the controllers for your equipment running the best sequence of operation for your building? The answers to your energy problems may already be right in front of you.

Use something like I-Touch manager By which we fixed the lower value of temperature Use VRV systems Use heat transfer mechanism etc.

Evaluate your thermostats and how they interact with the mechanical systems, the occupants, and your operations staff. Smart thermostats and the cloud-based services supporting them could add a layer of optimization to the building and make remote monitoring and control more viable which could streamline operations.

If your building is not occupied around the clock, make a midnight (or 2am) field trip to your building and see what is going on. You may be surprised to find the heater or AC running, lights on and computers / monitors, copiers on. None of these need to be on in an unoccupied building. I have found very few buildings operating the way FM thought it was operating in the middle of the night!

If you are benchmarking your energy usage (and if you're not, why aren't you?) you can track your performance over time and see if your building is getting better or worse. Energy Star Portfolio Manager is a free online tool that anyone can use to track their building's energy use and see how it compares to other, similar facilities.

Fix the scheduling of HVAC in the BMS!! The commercial building I occupy ran all day last Friday which was a public holiday! This is very common.

Faça um projeto de eficiência energética, fazendo compensações térmicas e de luminotécnicas. Pôde-se usar clarabóias, isolantes térmicos e otimização das lâmpadas com uso de sensores de presença e/ou temporizadores. Placas indicativas e palestras também auxiliam para não deixar monitores ligados e para induzir o uso consciente das escadas. Por fim, à viabilização de um Sistema Fotovoltaico no telhado e/ou janelas podem reduzir significativamente os gastos com a conta de luz.