A Few Tips For Your Zero Carbon Journey

As this summer has brought record high temperatures across the country, one meteorologist referred to a recent heat wave as a "death ridge." Climbing temperatures put extra strain on air conditioning systems and the power grid. For commercial and industrial building managers, this means an extra struggle to balance energy conservation requirements, utility bills, and occupant safety and comfort.

In This Issue You Will Hear From Jessie

Retrofits and beyond! As our Program Launch Manager, Jessie Mansperger uses her expertise navigating complex energy efficiency and renewable energy programs to bring novel energy savings opportunities to our customers. Here are Jessie's carbon-cutting tips.

Tip #1 Don't Get Too Comfortable Just because your building's control system seems to be working, doesn't mean it is working well . Contractors do not want facility managers calling them with complaints, so they typically optimize HVAC systems to maintain comfort above all else. This can mask hidden sources of inefficiency - which in turn cause extra strain on the grid and, of course, raise your energy bills. You should periodically re-evaluate your control strategy even if no problem is apparent.

Tip #2 "Shrink" Your AC Bills You don't have to cool your facility to the same temperature all day long. Observe how your occupants normally behave, and set the temperature accordingly. One building engineer we know has a control strategy that plays on the psychology and experience of occupants. He starts the day off at 72 degrees. At 1 p.m. he allows it to float up to 74. Workers returning from the outdoor heat after lunch are refreshed by the cooler air in the building, and workers who have been in their seats all day still feel comfortable.

Tip #3 Start a Green Team A company "Green Team" is a great way to involve employees in your energy conservation program. Having employees participate in discussions about building operations helps everyone to feel empowered, to understand more about the "why's" of your building strategy, and to help everything work more smoothly. Read "Form a Green Team..." for some ideas on how to get started.

P.S. Cool Like a Horse

During a heat wave in Montreal in the 1940s, this horse wore a hat to stay cool. If your building occupants seem to be taking extreme measures to adjust to the indoor temperature, it may be time to read Tip #2.