How to Make Buildings More Energy Efficient?

When we talk of reducing our carbon footprint, one of the things we often miss out on is a building’s energy efficiency. We need energy to power appliances, HVAC systems, etc. but are we making the optimal use of the energy billed to us? Most buildings have plenty of scope for improvement. So what can you do about it? Here are a few ideas.

Insulate the Building

Maintaining optimal temperatures indoors is crucial to productivity and overall wellbeing. What you don’t know is that you are heating and cooling system may be using much more energy than required. For example, if your windows have gaps, hot air will flow into your building, thereby making the air conditioners work harder to keep the space cool. So, the first step to increasing the efficiency is to insulate the building. Seal all cracks in widow and doorframes. If you have very high ceilings with gaps in the roof tiles, consider a false ceiling.

Make Smart Lighting Choices

Despite maximizing your usage of natural light, you still need to install lights. To keep the building well-lit while maintaining high energy efficiency, choose LED bulbs that consume less power. Installing daylight controllers and dimmers can also boost your power efficiency. Other solutions include connecting lights in infrequently used areas to infrared or motion sensors so that they come on only when needed. Encourage people to switch off lights and fans when they leave a room.

Reorganize your Space

Especially with the current scenario where part of the team may be working from home, your space may need to be reorganized for better power efficiency. Rearrange work spaces to reduce the overall office space and, in turn, reduce the space you need to keep it lit and cool. You may also want to reconsider open floor plans. For example, if you have cabins, the cooling system in these cabins can be switched off when they are not in use without affecting the ambient temperature in the rest of the space.

Take Care of the Building

Like small appliances, buildings too need to be maintained. Doing so regularly reduces the risk of having a major issue crop up and saves resources. For example, fixing a tap that is leaking significantly reduces water wastage, and cleaning out the filters of the air conditioning units, reduces the amount of power needed to push out cool air. Similarly, cut down on your energy usage by replacing old appliances with newer ones. For example, consider updating your windows for glazed, double-panel window panes.

To Conclude

Small steps go a long way in improving energy efficiency. You could also consider investing in an Energy Management System. This would give you valuable data about your energy usage and help identify areas where it can be optimized. For example, you may find out that your building is consuming power even after hours because corridor lights are left on. Getting access to this data gives you the ability to make smart decisions to future-proof your building. So, what are you waiting for?