5 Energy Savers for Commercial Buildings

Going “green” is becoming an important part of modern office and commercial building management. Cost savings and environmental concerns are the primary drivers for energy saving in the commercial real estate world.

Let’s take a look at five techniques from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) to enhance the energy savings potential of a commercial building. According to BOMA, 20 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. are due to the office buildings industry, so these are important items to look at implementing.

Don’t Skimp on the Energy Audits

Energy audits help to find actionable items to improve the energy efficiency of a building. Be sure to perform them at midnight as an empty building allows for better evaluation of the space’s HVAC and lighting systems.

Use Fluorescent Lighting

Commercial buildings should replace all incandescent lighting with the equivalent compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. This will lead to significant energy savings over time. CFLs emit less heat as well.

Modernize the Rest Rooms

Leveraging low-flow toilets and hands-free sink fixtures uses much less water than older models. The scarcity of water resources is expected to grow in the 21st Century.

Occupancy and Photo Sensors mitigate Energy Waste

When building tenants aren’t using specific rooms, their lighting shouldn’t be on. Occupancy sensors prevent this energy waste by turning off lights in unoccupied areas of a building. Photo sensors work in a similar fashion by decreasing lighting during daylight hours.

Install Bike Racks and Electric Charging Stations

Making the effort to install bike racks and electric charging stations is a great way for a commercial building management company to go green. It promotes alternative transportation methods that waste less energy and carbon when compared to gas-powered vehicles.

Implementing these five simple techniques will go a long way in fostering energy conservation in the office building sector.

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