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Ten Money-Saving Energy Ideas (That You Might Not Have Thought About)

Key Points

There is no shortage of information on ways to become more energy efficient.

While some efficiency strategies are widely discussed, others seem to fly under the radar.

Networking printers, installing LED exit signs, and using laundry controls are just a few energy saving ideas you may not have considered.

Many useful energy-saving ideas often receive little attention. Below are 10 ideas from Pacific Power’s Business Solutions Toolkit that you may not have considered. While many of them may require some upfront investment in time and money, they can significantly trim your long-term energy costs.

Pacific Power teams with Energy Trust of Oregon to offer energy efficiency programs and incentives on energy-saving upgrades.

Install a reflective coating on the roof. White or reflective roofing reflects heat and helps keep buildings cool. Look for the ENERGY STAR®or Cool Roof Rating Council label on roofing products.

Reduce solar heat gain. Install shades and awnings in the south- and west-facing windows. Add reflective solar films to windows. Instruct staff to close shades or other window treatments during summer months to reduce heat gain.

Use variable frequency drives (VFDs) on air-handling units. Building areas such as offices and administrative areas often have little or no occupancy during evening hours and on weekends. A VFD can be used to reduce airflow (and the kilowatt-hours needed to drive the air) by up to 80%. This can result in significant energy savings for up to 12 hours a day during the week and 48 hours over the weekend.

Install skylights. Skylights equipped with photo sensors and lighting controls can cut energy use in commercial buildings by reducing the use of electric lighting whenever sufficient daylight is present. In one example, a grocery store used skylights and photocells to reduce lighting energy use by 30% during a monitored two-week period.

Design your landscape for energy efficiency. A well-designed landscape can reduce cooling costs by 15% to 50% and heating bills by 25% to 40%, according to U.S. EPA statistics. Trees can relieve air conditioning costs by blocking sun rays in the summer and reduce heating costs by protecting the building from harsh winds or allowing warm sunlight through in the colder months.

Install an energy recovery ventilation system. Energy recovery ventilation systems provide a controlled way of ventilating a building while minimizing energy loss. They reduce the cost of heating ventilated air in the winter by transferring heat from the warm inside air that is being exhausted, to the fresh (but cold) supply air. In the summer, the inside air cools the warmer supply air to reduce ventilation cooling costs. They are most cost effective, however, in climates with extreme winters or summers and where fuel costs are high.

Network printers. According to U.S. Department of Energy estimates, the average printer uses nearly 400 kWh of energy per year, or about $30 in annual energy costs. A building with a printer in each office could be wasting hundreds of dollars. Sharing printers among multiple employees is a great way to save energy, cut down on equipment costs and discourage paper waste.

Install air curtains in open or frequently opened doorways. Air curtains save energy by keeping temperatures controlled inside, while keeping the heat or cold on the outside from coming in. Traditionally used in large warehouses, air curtains can also be used in coolers and freezers, delivery doors, store entrances, drive-up windows, and other applications.

Install LED exit signs. The light-emitting diode (LED) is rapidly becoming the standard in exit lighting due to its high-energy efficiency and long life (20 to 50 years). It has the highest initial cost, but requires little maintenance. Overall, LED lamps can save nearly 90% in total operating costs compared to traditional incandescent lighting.

Use laundry equipment controls. Laundry rooms in commercial and institutional facilities must be air conditioned to ensure worker comfort and safety. Consider installing an electrical actuated steam valve and mechanical timer on your steam table. This will ensure that the equipment operates only when in use and will help to lower air conditioning costs.

Source: Pacific Power and Tech Resources Inc.

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Ten Money-Saving Energy Ideas (That You Might Not Have Thought About)

Key Points

There is no shortage of information on ways to become more energy efficient.
While some efficiency strategies are widely discussed, others seem to fly under the radar.
Networking printers, installing LED exit signs, and using laundry controls are just a few energy saving ideas you may not have considered.

Many useful energy-saving ideas often receive little attention. Below are 10 ideas from Pacific Power’s Business Solutions Toolkit that you may not have considered. While many of them may require some upfront investment in time and money, they can significantly trim your long-term energy costs.

Pacific Power teams with Energy Trust of Oregon to offer energy efficiency programs and incentives on energy-saving upgrades.

Install a reflective coating on the roof. White or reflective roofing reflects heat and helps keep buildings cool. Look for the ENERGY STAR®or Cool Roof Rating Council label on roofing products.

Reduce solar heat gain. Install shades and awnings in the south- and west-facing windows. Add reflective solar films to windows. Instruct staff to close shades or other window treatments during summer months to reduce heat gain.

Use variable frequency drives (VFDs) on air-handling units. Building areas such as offices and administrative areas often have little or no occupancy during evening hours and on weekends. A VFD can be used to reduce airflow (and the kilowatt-hours needed to drive the air) by up to 80%. This can result in significant energy savings for up to 12 hours a day during the week and 48 hours over the weekend.

Install skylights. Skylights equipped with photo sensors and lighting controls can cut energy use in commercial buildings by reducing the use of electric lighting whenever sufficient daylight is present. In one example, a grocery store used skylights and photocells to reduce lighting energy use by 30% during a monitored two-week period.

Design your landscape for energy efficiency. A well-designed landscape can reduce cooling costs by 15% to 50% and heating bills by 25% to 40%, according to U.S. EPA statistics. Trees can relieve air conditioning costs by blocking sun rays in the summer and reduce heating costs by protecting the building from harsh winds or allowing warm sunlight through in the colder months.

Install an energy recovery ventilation system. Energy recovery ventilation systems provide a controlled way of ventilating a building while minimizing energy loss. They reduce the cost of heating ventilated air in the winter by transferring heat from the warm inside air that is being exhausted, to the fresh (but cold) supply air. In the summer, the inside air cools the warmer supply air to reduce ventilation cooling costs. They are most cost effective, however, in climates with extreme winters or summers and where fuel costs are high.

Network printers. According to U.S. Department of Energy estimates, the average printer uses nearly 400 kWh of energy per year, or about $30 in annual energy costs. A building with a printer in each office could be wasting hundreds of dollars. Sharing printers among multiple employees is a great way to save energy, cut down on equipment costs and discourage paper waste.

Install air curtains in open or frequently opened doorways. Air curtains save energy by keeping temperatures controlled inside, while keeping the heat or cold on the outside from coming in. Traditionally used in large warehouses, air curtains can also be used in coolers and freezers, delivery doors, store entrances, drive-up windows, and other applications.

Install LED exit signs. The light-emitting diode (LED) is rapidly becoming the standard in exit lighting due to its high-energy efficiency and long life (20 to 50 years). It has the highest initial cost, but requires little maintenance. Overall, LED lamps can save nearly 90% in total operating costs compared to traditional incandescent lighting.

Use laundry equipment controls. Laundry rooms in commercial and institutional facilities must be air conditioned to ensure worker comfort and safety. Consider installing an electrical actuated steam valve and mechanical timer on your steam table. This will ensure that the equipment operates only when in use and will help to lower air conditioning costs.

Source: Pacific Power and Tech Resources Inc.