Resources for businesses

• Ensure vents aren’t blocked by furniture, equipment or paper. Allow good air flow to the area.
• Program HVAC systems to switch to “night” operation 30 minutes before the end of your business hours.
• Program HVAC economizers to close when air systems are off.
• Service HVAC systems twice a year.
• Check/replace HVAC filters monthly to allow systems to work at peak efficiency.
• Check unoccupied areas for personal space heaters or fans and unplug them.
• Use window shades or reflective film to block heat from the summer sun.
• Shut down or modify run schedule of HVAC systems at facilities that have been temporarily closed.

• Turn off non-emergency lighting in unoccupied areas.
• Turn off, or dim, unnecessary lighting in occupied areas.
• Use natural daylight to illuminate areas when possible.
• Program or adjust thermostat program to create an automatic schedule that matches lighting cycle.
• Check your exterior and security lighting to ensure it is only on when needed. As we move into spring and summer there are more hours of daylight.

• Ask your employees to help find ways to save energy.
• Turn off, or unplug, any equipment that won’t be used for an extended period of time.
• Perform a facility walk through in the dark or when the facility isn’t in use, and look for the telltale lights that show equipment that is still powered up. Can it be turned off or unplugged completely?
• Check computers and other office equipment, set them to hibernate when they aren’t used for a period of time.
• Lower hot water temperatures to the minimum acceptable temperature.
• Unplug the coffee maker when it’s not being used.

If the facility has closed temporarily and is vacant:

• Unplug vending machines if there aren’t perishable items in them.
• If the hot water heater is electric, turn it off at the breaker.
• Consolidate perishable items into fewer refrigerators, and turn off or unplug the unused ones. 

• Reduce or eliminate equipment “idling” and run equipment only when it is needed.
• If it doesn’t compromise safety, reduce the close delay on automatic doors to help keep the cold or warm air in.
• When outside temperatures are comfortable, open window or doors to utilize natural air flow instead of running your HVAC system.
• Optimize compressed air systems and fix air leaks.
• Powering up all equipment at the same time can cause a spike in energy demand at your facility. Stagger equipment start up to reduce this spike.
• Check all automatic controls are set and operating correctly.

• Poor water application uniformity increases pumping time, and therefore energy use.
  • On center pivot systems, the major causes of poor water application uniformity are worn or improperly sized sprinkler nozzles, missing sprinkler heads or leaking boots.
• Check annually for pipeline leaks, broken nozzles or nozzles that don’t rotate properly and repair/replace them.