HVAC System (Heater and A/C)

• Make sure your HVAC system(s) is the correct size for the building
• Tune your HVAC equipment yearly, with this, make sure it is clean and free of debris and blockage
• Install programmable thermostats
• Limit who has access to the thermostats
• Relocate thermostats to optimal locations
• Periodically calibrate thermostats, make sure thermostat setting equals actual space temperature
• Change your air filter regularly, usually every 2-3 months
• Set thermostat to 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter - energy usage increases 6% to 8% for each degree  
• Adjust thermostats to avoid energy use when your office is closed, optimize start off and end time, consider coasting last hour of operations
• Adjust ventilation in low or unoccupied spaces
• Outside A/C units or condensers should be in the shade and free from debris
• Use ceiling or portable fans; a room can be cooled by 4 to 6 degrees with the use a fan
• Check for leaks and seal heating and cooling ducts, attic access area, also recessed lighting
• Make sure your attic is properly insulated
• A lower temperature on your thermostat will not cool your building faster; the temperature set is just the target comfort zone that you set for your A/C
• Install VFD Variable Frequency Drives and VAV Variable Air Volume Systems
• Install heat recovery equipment (enthalpy wheels, heat pipes) to optimize conditioning of ventilated air
• Do not use humidifiers or evaporator coolers in addition to your A/C 

Water Heater 

• Set the temperature of your hot water heater to 120°F
• Insulate water heater with an approved hot water heating insulation kit that can be found at your local hardware store or home improvement center
• Drain you water heater tank regularly to remove sediment build upInsulate warm water pipes
• Install low flow faucets, toilets and shower heads
• Keep all faucets free from leaks, especially hot water leaks because they are continuously using energy to reheat the water that is being lost 

Lighting 

• Turns lights off when you leave a room
• Replace incandescent (the common round ones) light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs and HIDConvert T12 to T8 and T5
• Use high efficiency LED EXIT signs
• Install timer controls, photocells or motion sensors for exterior lighting
• Use workstation task lighting 

Electrical Equipment/Computers 

• Turn off electrical equipment/appliances when not in use
• Use power strips, even when turned off, most electronics and appliances continue to consume electricity when plugged in
• Don’t leave chargers for cell phones, MP3 players, cameras, etc… plugged in when not in use
• Turn off computer when not in use
• Use power strips for your computer and its related equipment and turn them off here, too
• Turn off printers, copiers, faxes when not in use
• Set the sleep mode for your computer for a few minutes after being idle instead of more, such as half an hour 

Appliances

• Unplug any refrigerator or freezers that are not in use
• Keep the condenser coils on the back of your refrigerator and freezer clean
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer full, they operate most efficiently this way
• Only run a dishwasher with a full load
• Turn off the heated dry setting on your dishwasher and use the air dry setting instead
• Turn off coffee maker/warming plate when not in use  

Ventilate, Insulate, and Weatherize  

• Proper attic ventilation will reduce temperature and moisture buildup
• Reduce air leaks in your building by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping all seams and openings to the outside
• Consult a local nursery,  trees and shrubbery can add shade that cools your building during the summer and can be a wind block during the winter
• Replace single pane windows with energy efficient windows or add solar shading or tinting film
• Use shades or curtains to block the sun and heat during warm summer weather
• Install or repair weather stripping or door sweeps
• Insulate rim joist 

Janitorial Practices 

• Clean one floor at a time
• Clean during working hours 

Commercial Food  

• Turn off equipment not in use
• Create a start up and shut down schedule for all equipment
• Position your cooling equipment as far away as possible from your cooking equipment so refrigerators/freezers do not have to work harder to keep cool
• Do not keep refrigerators/freezers temperature settings lower than necessary, this can waste energy
• Keep doors shut and seals tight on cooling equipment, continued opening and closing causes temperature fluctuations and the unit to work harder to cool down
• Perform scheduled maintenance on the units  

Upgrade Outdated Appliances with Energy Efficient Models 

• Buy energy efficient office appliances and equipment: refrigerators, copiers, computers, monitors, etc…
• Visit the Energy Star website for more information www.energystar.gov 
• Upgrade a refrigerator that is 10+ years old – a new Energy Star approved refrigerator uses about half of the energy of a 10-year old conventional model
• Consider a tank less water heater, they heat water as it is used and are up to 45% more efficient
• Replace your central A/C system if is 7+ years old – an Energy Star approved A/C can use 20% less energy than your old one

Building energy simulation is used as a tool in the design of buildings, for determining compliance to building standards and for the economic optimization of building components. It can be used on buildings of any size, from one zone residential houses to multi-zone large commercial buildings, or any occupancy, such as schools, offices, hospitals, supermarkets, etc. There are different methods of building energy analysis which vary in complexity, but all have three common elements, the calculation of space heating and cooling loads, the load on secondary equipment, and the energy requirements of primary equipment. Secondary equipment is that equipment which distributes the heating, cooling or ventilating medium to the conditioned space, while primary equipment is central plant equipment that converts fuel or electricity to the heating or cooling effect. Generally, as a method becomes more complex it becomes more accurate. However, the improved accuracy usually comes with increased effort and time to perform a simulation.