The weather is getting colder which means the furnace is running more and more to keep temperatures comfortable inside. For your commercial building or multi-housing property, this can mean huge energy bills. There are ways to keep your residents warm while not breaking the bank. Here are some building maintenance tasks Apple Valley owners can do to keep everyone happy.
Perform an Energy Audit
The first thing that needs to be done is an energy audit to find out where you have energy inefficiencies. Our staff can perform an audit for you, or you can do one yourself. Here are some things you’ll want to check: insulation, air leaks, heating equipment, lighting, appliances and electronics. Once you know some of the problem areas, you can work on fixing them.
Weatherize
If you noticed air leaks (drafts) then you will want to seal those. Sealing air leaks can provide energy savings from 10-20 percent per year. Sealing leaks may involve caulking or weather-stripping around leaky doors, windows or gaps around chimneys and recessed lights. Fixes may be as simple as covering drafty windows with insulating drapes, shades or heavy plastic. For a more permanent fix, older windows can be replaced with newer, more energy efficient ones.
Service the Heater
Keeping your furnace in good working condition will help it run more efficiently. Filters should be changed regularly (usually every 1-3 months). If you have a wood or pellet-burning heater, clean the flue to ensure efficient heating. Keep any fireplace dampers closed unless a fire is burning. Leaving the damper open is like leaving a window wide open in the winter.
Check Lights
Light bulbs can be updated to more energy efficient LED lights. This is something we specialize in. We can upgrade your lights to LEDs to help you save up to 80 percent on energy costs! The best part is, many customers can get rebates, incentives or tax credits for switching to LEDs. You can learn more from our LED lighting blog.
Control the Thermostat
Set the thermostat as low as is comfortable when you are in the building and be sure to turn it down when you are away. Getting a programmable thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature based on the time of day. Lowering the thermostat when you are away by 10 to 15 degrees can save about 10 percent a year on your heating bill.
If you would like to learn more about building maintenance in Apple Valley and surrounding areas, call Building Maintenance Management at 763-541-4886 or you can Contact Us.
