RSSHeating and Cooling Tips
Control Systems- Use a programmable thermostat. Make it easy to adjust the settings as well as regulate the temperature to avoid unnecessary cooling costs.
- Put a lockable case over the thermostat to prevent adjustment.
- Have your maintenance contractor check the control systems. Inadequate or incorrectly operating controls can increase your costs by 20 per cent or more.
- Use night setback controls. Controls should be set so that general areas and offices are set back to 16°C (61°F) outside hours of usage.
- Use electronic controls to operate boilers and heating pumps only when needed.
- Close window blinds to shade rooms from direct sunlight.
- Install window film, solar screens or awning in south and west facing windows. Open the window blinds and remove solar screens, blinds or awnings on south and west facing windows to help increase heat gain during the winter. (Replace them in the summer).
- Apply solar control window films to windows and doors to reduce energy demand during hot months and conserve energy anytime air conditioning might be required. Visit the International Window Film Association for more information.
- Open blinds to heat your building and close them to keep the sun’s heat out when you have the air conditioning turned on.
- Try not to open windows. If your workplace is too hot, turn the heat down.
- Draft-proof windows and doors with weather stripping.
- Install double-glazed windows. Double-glazed windows also help reduce noise levels and improve comfort levels. The payback period on this capital cost is typically 10 – 15 years.
- Keep your exterior and freight doors closed as much as possible.
- Install ceiling fans. They can make it feel at least four degrees cooler during the summer.
- Rewire restroom fans to operate when the lights are turned on.
- Keep heating vents unobstructed. In offices, this includes furniture placed over floor vents. Air should be able to move across the entire room.
- Use exhaust fans only when necessary. In winter they expel heated air and in summer they expel cooled air, forcing systems to operate needlessly.
- Choose ENERGY STAR® when buying new cooling and ventilation units. They are 20 to 30 per cent more efficient than older models.
- Install an air conditioning-economizer to bring in outside air when it's cool.
- Consider getting a heat recovery system to reduce heat lost from air exiting your building through the ventilation system exhaust. You could save up to 60-70 per cent of heat lost through air ventilation with an air-to-air heat exchanger, particularly for kitchen exhaust ventilation.
- Replace your boiler if it is over 25-years old. New high-efficiency units can reduce your natural gas usage by 30 per cent or more.
- Use the proper size furnace or air conditioning unit for your space. A larger unit does not necessarily heat or cool the room better.
- Insulate water heaters and supply pipes.
- Install ceiling and wall insulation. You will save money on your monthly utility bills and your employees will be more comfortable.
- Use suspended ceilings to reduce heating costs and act as extra insulation.
- Ensure all bare heating pipes, valves and flanges are insulated in mechanical rooms and unheated areas. Often the pipes are insulated but the valves and flanges are not and this lack of insulation can result in wasted energy.
- Insulate expansion tanks and heat exchangers.
- Insulate all heating ductwork located in unheated areas.
- Check insulation levels and upgrade to current standards.
- Install ENERGY STAR® labeled reflected "Cool Roof" roofing materials.
- Tank-type heaters: flush the tanks yearly to maintain proper heat transfer and improve life expectancy
- Volume water heaters (domestic water boilers): set the boiler operating control to a temperature above 65°C (150°F) to ensure proper operation.
- Set the water temperature to 55°C (131°F). Settings above this temperature wastes energy; settings below this temperature can lead to increased bacterial growth.
- Install a timer on your electric water heater and set it to run after 6 a.m. and go off before 7 p.m.
- Install ENERGY STAR® labeled reflected "Cool Roof" roofing materials.
- Inspect, test and tune up heating system - adjust, replace filters, nozzle or other parts
- Turn down heating to minimum in unoccupied areas
- Check thermostat accuracy, adjust thermostats for required heating levels
- Cover window air conditioners
- Check for cracks around windows, doors, and structure - caulk as required
- Inspect, test, clean air conditioning system, wash air condensers with high-pressure water washer
- Turn off air conditioning in unoccupied areas
- Adjust thermostats for desired cooling levels
- Adjust outdoor light timers for length of day and/or daylight saving
- Adjust outdoor light timers for length of day
- Set back thermostats for heating or air conditioning
- Turn off all lights except safety and security lights
- Turn off hot water (if closed two or more days)
- Check any automatic HVAC controls for accuracy of settings
- Turn off outside safety/security lights
- Use only necessary lighting, heating, air conditioning
- If there are small areas that need more heat, use supplementary heat sources.
- Adjust thermostats for desired heating or air conditioning levels
- Turn off lights when areas are not occupied
- Adjust heating, cooling levels for comfort
- Keep doors and windows closed
- Turn off all lights except safety and security lights
- In hot season, use ventilation system to admit night air if it will cool building
