Energy Efficiency Guide for Colorado Businesses
Recommendations by Sector
SMALL OFFICE BUILDINGS
Energy Use
The principal energy uses in most office buildings are divided about evenly between lighting, HVAC, and plug loads. Retrofit measures that improve the efficiency of lighting and office equipment, as well as those that improve windows and shading, can lower the demand on the building's cooling system. Combined with such retrofits, it's often possible to install an energy-efficient new chiller that is substantially downsized from the old one, saving over $1,000 per ton. This can result in both initial and life-cycle savings that are quite substantial. Careful glazing and overhang designs can increase the contributions of passive solar in the winter months, while variable output, energy-efficient boilers can take up the slack as needed.
Many small offices are leased from building owners who may not be enthusiastic about improving the energy efficiency of their property when tenants are paying the energy bills. However, it is frequently possible to persuade landlords to make energy-saving improvements a part of long-term lease agreements since these not only improve the property but also save money and make the space more attractive to present and future tenants. Indeed, such measures as lighting retrofits are often good investments by tenants even in the absence of landlord contributions.
Measures that are frequently found to be cost-effective include the following:
High-efficiency Lighting
- Replace T-12 fluorescent fixtures with T- 8 or T-5 fixtures with electronic ballasts.
- Use compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to replace incandescents and save energy and maintenance costs.
- Install and adjust automatic dimming controls to take advantage of daylighting.
- Install and adjust occupancy controls.
- Install LED exit signs.
- Upgrade parking lot lighting to save energy and reduce the environmental impacts associated with lighting the sky instead of the parking lot.
HVAC
- Downsize to a new high-efficiency chiller in conjunction with lighting and other retrofits.
- Choose high-efficiency packaged A/C units listed by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency in their Tier 2 guidelines (www.cee1.org/com/hecac/ac_tiers/impcttbl.htm).
- Use condensing boilers with large turn-down ratios whose efficiencies improve with turn-down.
- Switch over to direct digital controls.
- Install variable air volume air handling systems with variable speed drives.
- Install premium-efficiency motors.
- Install demand-controlled ventilation.
- Ventilate garages in response to environmental conditions.
- Upgrade the energy management system; optimize settings to reflect usage, respond to changing weather patterns, and control peak electric loads.
- Continuously commission the building.
- Verify economizer function and control.
- Consider using cool air from the cooling tower with water-cooled chillers.
- Consider indirect-direct evaporative cooling.
Building Envelope
- Install high-efficiency glazing carefully chosen for sun exposure on each facade and other variables.
- Install interior or exterior shading devices.
- Install insulation in strategic locations.
- Undertake air sealing, including duct work.
- Install a cool roof.
Plug Loads
- Use low-energy sleep functions on computers, printers, and copiers.
- Use the duplex copying mode to save energy and paper.
- Choose ENERGY STAR office equipment and appliances.
- Install Vending Miser on vending machines.
Employee
- Ensure building maintenance and cleaning staff are enthusiastic about savings and adopt work habits that support energy efficiency.
- Involve all employees in energy savings efforts, provide efficiency education for work and home, and encourage employee suggestions on energy savings opportunities.
Funding for this Guide provided by:
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Recommendations for this and other sectors are available at www.coloradoefficiencyguide.com/recommendations.