How can you identify areas of your facility that are not energy efficient?

3 Inspect your building envelope

Another way to identify areas of your facility that are not energy efficient is to inspect your building envelope. The building envelope is the physical barrier between the indoor and outdoor environments, and it includes the walls, roof, windows, doors, and insulation. A poorly designed or maintained building envelope can cause significant heat loss or gain, air leakage, moisture problems, and thermal discomfort. You can inspect your building envelope visually, or use advanced techniques such as infrared thermography or blower door testing.

4 Check your HVAC systems

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are also likely to be major sources of energy inefficiency in your facility. HVAC systems account for about 40% of the total energy use in commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To identify areas of your HVAC systems that are not energy efficient, you need to check the condition, performance, and controls of your boilers, chillers, pumps, fans, ducts, vents, filters, thermostats, and sensors. You can also monitor the indoor air quality, temperature, humidity, and airflow.

5 Evaluate your lighting systems

Your lighting systems are another important factor that affects your facility's energy efficiency. Lighting systems consume about 20% of the total energy use in commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To identify areas of your lighting systems that are not energy efficient, you need to evaluate the type, quantity, quality, and distribution of your light fixtures, lamps, ballasts, switches, dimmers, and sensors. You can also measure the illuminance, color temperature, and glare levels.

6 Review your plug loads

Plug loads are the energy consumed by the devices and equipment that are plugged into the electrical outlets in your facility. Plug loads can vary widely depending on the type, number, and usage of the devices and equipment. Some common examples of plug loads are computers, printers, copiers, phones, chargers, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and vending machines. To identify areas of your plug loads that are not energy efficient, you need to review the power ratings, standby modes, and schedules of your devices and equipment.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?