CREJ - Property Management Quarterly - August 2015
Protecting the environment is now a national and local priority. We are encouraging property managers and building owners to become - proactive in reducing energy consumption. As a refrigerant company, we are committed to reduce energy use by 20 percent by 2020. In preparing a sustainability plan, it is important for employees and contractors to be a part of the program. The plan should be presented as a positive step in protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. Owners and managers should request employee participation in developing the plan and, once in place, ensure that the energy-saving steps are followed. The most effective method of determining energy use and loss is by having an energy audit performed by qualified technicians. This should be a first step in preparing a sustainability program. Once energy use is defined, a sustainability program that reduces use and costs should be developed to achieve maximum results. Also, an energy audit can indicate what energy uses can be reduced by simple methods, such as turning out lights in vacant spaces, turning off electronic equipment when not in use, or turning the thermostat down in the evenings and on weekends. The start of a good energy program many times lies in establishing sound conservation techniques. One of the most effective ways to reduce energy in office and hotel buildings, industrial complexes, malls and box store outlets is by reducing the energy used for heating and cooling. About 45 to 55 percent of the energy consumed in these complexes is expended in heating and cooling. Improper preventative maintenance of heating and cooling units can reduce output by as much as 18 percent. A sound preventative maintenance program is the first step in reducing a company’s carbon footprint. Reducing cooling and heating energy represents a major step in minimizing energy use and, by doing so, significant cost saving can be obtained – up to 30 to 40 percent savings may be realized. To achieve these savings, it is important to analyze and evaluate energy conservation products to assure that they are compatible with existing systems and will perform on these systems as promised. Property management companies and owners should reach out to professionals for assistance to attain substantial energy savings. Improving energy efficiency is the key to saving energy and reducing cost. There are many nonintrusive energy-saving products that integrate seamlessly into existing systems and equipment without sacrificing comfort and convenience. These products, installed onto existing air conditioning units, add “intelligence” to the units to maximize efficiency through effective monitoring and control of a system’s performance. Use of this technology enables technicians to monitor energy savings and system performance. By doing so, technicians can be alerted to a potential problem and resolve it before the problem becomes a major mechanical issue. Simple solutions often are the best solutions. As opposed to replacing older equipment and systems – replacing these systems require major capital investment –installing technologies that reduce wear, increase system performance, extend equipment longevity and reduce energy use often prove to be the most effective answer to protecting the environment and reducing the overall carbon footprint. If we can protect our environment while reducing energy consumption and realizing significant cost savings, why wouldn’t we? Vendors can assist in developing methods of saving energy and reducing the associated costs, and most are willing provide information on methods of reducing energy consumption, particularly for heating and air-conditioning solutions.