11 Ways to Reduce Energy Costs in Winter for Commercial Buildings

As winter sets in, commercial building owners often grapple with skyrocketing energy costs due to heating requirements. However, there are strategies to mitigate these costs and improve energy efficiency without compromising comfort. In this article, we'll explore 11 practical ways to reduce energy costs and enhance energy efficiency in commercial buildings during the chilly winter months. Implementing these measures can result in significant savings, making your facility more sustainable and cost-effective.

If you've been a building manager for several years, no doubt you're already familiar with many of these basic ways to reduce energy costs, while there are others you have yet to consider. We'll be delving into the following cost-saving measures.

By Warehouse Lighting

Key Points:

#1 Switch All Lamps to LED Energy-Efficient Lighting
#2: Install Lighting Sensors for Commercial Energy Savings
#3 Use Smart Controls to Set the Energy-Saving Temperature for Winter
#4 Utilize Natural Light as Much as Possible
#5 Check the Insulation
#6 Conduct an Energy Audit
#7 Turn Off Equipment When Not in Use
#8 Service HVAC Systems for Maximum Efficiency
#9 Buy ENERGY STAR Products
#10 Conduct a Hot Water Heater Evaluation
#11 Mitigate Heat Loss From Windows & Doors

energy efficiency in commercial buildings

#1 Switch All Lamps to LED Energy-Efficient Lighting

One way to reduce energy costs in winter is by changing out your light fixtures. If you're using older, outdated lamps, you'll enjoy cost benefits by switching to LED energy-efficient lighting. These lamps use less energy to create the necessary illumination, which can definitely save on energy costs while providing the pleasing, vibrant illumination your business needs.

You can get LEDs for every type of commercial lighting fixture in your building, such as:

Pro Tip: If you need to make the switch from old to new technology, there are LED retrofit kits that make the job a snap. Remember to update your exit signs and emergency lights with LED fixtures, too.

#2: Install Lighting Sensors for Commercial Energy Savings

To enjoy commercial energy savings in winter, make sure you aren't wasting energy by illuminating empty rooms or spaces. Installing automatic sensors and light controls will ensure that lights are only used when needed to help reduce energy costs. While this is an excellent tip year-round, you can certainly make this part of your winter plan to save energy for your business.

#3 Use Smart Controls to Set the Energy-Saving Temperature for Winter

You can maintain energy-efficient thermostat settings using the smart controls that are part of most modern heating and cooling systems. Smart controls enable you to alter the temperature based on occupancy. The best energy-saving temperature for winter is 68 degrees when the building is occupied and 60 degrees overnight when the building is empty.

#4 Utilize Natural Light as Much as Possible

Another easy way to cut your energy costs in the winter is to utilize as much natural light as possible. After all, sunlight is free. Look for areas where the natural light creates ample visibility, and reduce artificial lighting as much as possible. Another reason to keep the curtains open is that sunlight helps heat your space, providing additional commercial energy savings.

#5 Check the Insulation

Your building's insulation is instrumental in reducing energy consumption in commercial buildings. The insulation helps trap as much heat in the winter as possible to reduce heating costs. The time to check the insulation of your building is before winter, so you can make any necessary repairs before cold weather hits.

#6 Conduct an Energy Audit

Another great way to ensure commercial building energy efficiency is by conducting an energy audit before the start of the season. An energy audit will highlight any areas for improvement and show you steps your business can take to maximize energy savings.

#7 Turn Off Equipment When Not in Use

During non-working hours, ensure all equipment is turned off or set to "power down." You can also significantly reduce energy costs by putting computers, monitors and copiers into sleep mode when not in use. Another option is to install smart power strips. These valuable tools effectively cut off the power supply to devices that aren't in use, reducing phantom power drain, which occurs when devices consume energy even in standby mode. Because they're equipped with advanced features like remote control, scheduling and auto-off functions, these power strips can help significantly reduce energy costs and consumption and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, phantom loads (also known as standby power) can cost the average U.S. household approximately $100 annually. While this statistic is for residential use, businesses can incur much higher costs considering the scale of electronics in commercial settings.

#8 Service HVAC Systems for Maximum Efficiency

A dirty HVAC system can considerably hamper commercial energy efficiency. When components like filters, coils and fins are clogged with dust and debris, the system must work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This increased strain not only consumes more energy, leading to higher utility bills but also reduces the system's overall performance and lifespan.

#9 Buy ENERGY STAR Products

Equipment and products that are ENERGY STAR certified use less power. You can save money on utility bills by creating a business policy of purchasing ENERGY STAR-certified computers, monitors, printers and other products.

#10 Conduct a Hot Water Heater Evaluation

Today's building managers have a wider array of choices for energy-efficient hot water heating systems. One straightforward solution is to switch to on-demand water heaters, which heat water only when required. These systems can usually be installed in the same location as the previous water tank, requiring minimal setup. This approach can reduce energy costs by eliminating the need to constantly maintain a large volume of water at high temperatures.

#11 Mitigate Heat Loss From Windows & Doors

Windows can be significant culprits of energy loss during the winter months, leading to more heat escape than any other surface in a building. Installing energy-efficient double-glazed windows (or adding seals to windows to make them airtight) can yield noticeable savings on energy bills.

Foot traffic within your building can also directly contribute to a reduction in commercial energy efficiency. Heat escapes more rapidly when doors are left open, increasing the workload on your HVAC system. A solution to this problem is to equip doors with weights or automatic closing mechanisms.

Our LEDs Light the Way to Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

Knowing how to reduce energy consumption in commercial buildings can save you more than you think. Simply by replacing outdated lighting with LED light fixtures, you're well on the way to implementing an effective strategy for significant cost and energy savings. LED lights consume less power and perform longer than traditional lighting, reducing energy bills and maintenance costs while promoting energy efficiency in commercial buildings like yours. Moreover, LED light fixtures offer improved light quality, enhancing the ambiance and productivity of your workspace. Warehouse-Lighting.com has high-quality, energy-efficient LED lighting solutions tailored to your needs. Reach out to us today, and let's light the path to a greener, more cost-effective future for your commercial building.