Reduce Office Energy Costs by Improving Energy Efficiency

January 05, 2018

In any office, large or small, there should always be a focus on reducing overhead costs. And one of the biggest costs for any business is energy – mostly winter heating and summer cooling. Any effort to reduce office energy costs will be related to improving some aspect of energy efficiency.

On a small scale, there are numerous improvements that can be made - LED lights and fixtures; motion sensors and dimmer switches; even programmable thermostats. But for dramatic change, energy efficiency will most likely involve comprehensive upgrades to air sealing and insulation.

Energy efficiency upgrades will reduce office energy costs

In an effort to reduce office energy costs, business owners need to make the type of upgrades and retrofits that will deliver a meaningful return-on-investment. Turning up the heat in winter or turning down the thermostat in summer are both money wasters. And an HVAC system that’s working “overtime” is simply contributing to waste and doing little to reduce office energy costs.

Upgrades that will measurably reduce office energy costs will usually focus on three elements – air sealing, thermal insulation, and mechanical ventilation. Working together as a system, the three elements contribute to optimum energy efficiency while reducing energy consumption. The results are evident – indoor comfort from season to season and energy savings for the long term.

Insulation Upgrading

In many commercial applications, contractors are recommending spray foam insulation as the ideal retrofit. It’s an application that seals and insulates at one time, enveloping every opening, crack, and crevice for an airtight space. The finished installation is far superior to any insulation product on the market. A spray foam retrofit does it all - sealing the space; providing very high R-Values; even adding structural strength to the installation space.

Window Film Application

Window films save on energy can reduce energy costs by retaining indoor heat in the winter and preventing outdoor heat from penetrating in the summer. Temperature fluctuations from office to office are diminished, and occupant comfort is improved as a result. In terms of investment, window film applications will “pay off” quickly, simply from the energy savings during winter and summer. As well, the HVAC system will be better balanced.

Air Sealing Retrofits

Even with quality insulation, the job isn’t complete without addressing air leakage in the building envelope. In short, air sealing is key to ensuring energy efficiency. Air movement is controlled, and with proper ventilation, the heating and air conditioning system operates more efficiently. Air sealing and ventilation work together to improve energy efficiency, while reducing energy consumption season to season. The result: significant savings.

Improving energy efficiency with Great Northern Insulation

With Great Northern Insulation, a combination of air sealing, insulation, and ventilation ensures optimized energy efficiency. With a highly skilled team of installers, GNI will recommend the best product and installation for the job. It’s all done according to the building code, and every install is based on manufacturer specifications. To find out more, visit the GNI website at www.gni.ca .