27 gestionnaires d'installations et chefs d'entreprise partagent les idées les plus efficaces pour réduire les coûts en matière de gestion des installations

Scott Hamilton

@ScottMountRoyal

Scott Hamilton is a partner in Mount Royal Energy Group, a company dedicated to helping increase the efficiency of existing HVAC systems using proven, patented technologies. Most of his career, Hamilton has been focused on corporate communications.

“Becoming more energy efficient is the single most important objective every company should have…”

It comes with the side benefit of reducing the company’s carbon footprint, so while you improve the company’s bottom line, you help the planet.

Energy Audit
It starts with an energy audit. Before you can figure out the best ways to lower your buildings’ carbon emissions, you have to first understand what you’re working with. State and local governments, as well as some private companies, offer energy audits where they will inspect your business and make recommendations on how to improve efficiency. Not only are these audits almost always free, but they will usually offer discounts on solutions to the problems they find.

Quick Fixes
One quick and effective factor you can test yourself in the short term is your insulation. Energy.gov reports that properly insulating buildings can save 5-30% on your energy bill. Check for areas of your building such as baseboards, window and door frames, or cable, gas, and electrical services entrances for cracks or leaks. Sometimes the only tool you need is a piece of paper. Put it close to a crack… if it moves, you have an insulation problem.

Climate Control
Odds are you have a climate control solution for your building. Replacing an aging air conditioning system with newer energy efficient models will save electricity, but at a rather high cost. An alternative is to make sure the existing units are properly maintained and treat it with a nanotechnology solution like CryoGenX4 that can permanently restore efficiency in HVAC systems lost because of oil fouling. This can reduce annual energy costs by up to 20% percent or more. Furthermore, for every ton of refrigeration treated in this manner, up to 1.3 tons of carbon dioxide emissions can be eliminated annually. Don’t forget about low-tech solutions. Make sure your filters are replaced frequently and that the areas around all vents are clear.

Improve Efficiency When Replacing
While proper maintenance is the correct solution for some problems, there are certain energy-drainers that just need to be replaced. You can start with your light bulbs. Replacing standard light bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs can save $10-$20 a year per bulb. Additionally, when replacing any equipment from computers to vending machines, from data storage devices to commercial coffee brewers, always check for the Energy Star products. Not only will these products reduce your carbon footprint and save money over time, but many also come with hefty rebates to lower the upfront cost.

Make Efficiency Part of Your Culture
Lowering your company’s carbon footprint isn’t just addressed through the building and hardware of your company. It is also vital that it becomes part of your company’s culture. Your commitment to a green future should be seen in the decisions you make for how to operate your business. Again, these policies don’t just help reduce your company’s carbon footprint; they’ll also improve your bottom line.