If you own a commercial office building then you’re familiar with the struggle against sky-high heating and cooling bills. However, sufficiently heating and cooling your building throughout the year is extremely important, and the occupants of your building expect a certain level of comfort. But finding the right temperature without breaking the bank can often be a challenge, especially for larger office buildings in places that experience hot summers and cold winters. While climate does play a factor in how much your energy bills will be, there are some easy steps you can take to lower your costs. 

At Tri-Tech Energy we’ve helped many building owners lower their energy costs, and in this article we’ll discuss our top three tips you can use today to help lower your bills. If you have any questions our team is standing by and ready to help.

Seal up air leaks

So much air is lost through various leaks throughout commercial spaces, and when you have your air conditioning running in the summer or your heating turned up in the winter, you could be running up your energy bill without even realizing it. The most common places you’ll find leaks around your office are:

  • Windows. Although windows are double glazed and properly sealed, small cracks and holes often develop over time, allowing air to escape. 
  • Doors. Weather stripping is found on nearly all doors, but same as with your windows, tiny holes and cracks can form over time. 
  • Light fixtures. This is a less obvious place where air leaks can occur, but it’s definitely worth checking. 

While most modern offices are equipped with weather stripping, sealant, and other protective measures to prevent leaks, over time you may find that small amounts of air have started to slip through the cracks, and unfortunately it can add up to big energy bills for you. One way to check for air leaks is to hold a piece of paper next to a suspected leak. If the paper flutters, even very slightly, you’ve got a leak. Call your trusted HVAC professional and have the leaks sealed. 

Let the Sun Heat Things Up

There’s a reason that many office buildings have floor to ceiling windows, especially in colder climates. The sun can help warm up the temperature in your office during chilly winter days, so open the blinds, pull back the curtains, and take advantage of this free, clean energy source. 

In order to avoid your air conditioner working overtime during summer to combat the heat from the sun, it’s worth investing in sun shades for your windows to help keep things cool. 

Close off Unused Rooms

There’s no use in heating or cooling rooms in your office that you aren’t using. If you have spare space in your building, especially as many people are now working remotely at least part-time. Is there a room full of filing cabinets that no one ever goes in? Or perhaps there are various storage rooms throughout your building that are rarely used? Close the doors and vents to these rooms so your HVAC system isn’t working overtime to heat or cool them – it’s a huge waste of energy and it’s expensive. 

As the cost of everything seems to rise, it’s not always easy to save money on your monthly heating and cooling bills. But these three tips are a great place to start, and if you’re interested in newer, more energy efficient HVAC systems, give us a call. 

For more information about lowering your heating and cooling bills at the office, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Tri-Tech Energy today. Our team of experts is standing by and we look forward to hearing from you.