Best Practice Guide

Commercial Office Buildings

Introduction

Planning an Energy Program

Funding and Approval

Lighting

Building Envelope

Central HVAC System

Controls and Load Reduction

Air Handling Subsystem

Condenser/Chilled Water Subsystem

Heating Subsystem

Distributed Generation

Demand Response

Commissioning

Procurement Policy

Water Use

Education

Energy Efficiency in Telecommuting

Resources and Appendices

Lessons Learned


Adobe Systems Incorporated and Cushman & Wakefield

Arden Realty and next>edge

Cypress Semiconductor

Equity Office Properties

Glenborough Realty Trust

Natural Resources Defense Council

Qualcomm

Swinerton, Inc.

Transwestern Commercial Services


View the Glossary

Central HVAC System

Heating Subsystem

Printer-friendly version

Share your thoughts

Although most boilers are gas- or oil-fired (93 percent of the market), those that are electric typically operate at only 65 to 75 percent efficiency.

Consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient system. High-efficiency boilers have up to 90 percent combustion efficiency. The combustion efficiency of a typical boiler or furnace is 75 percent to 80 percent. Older boilers and boilers converted from coal have 60 percent to 70 percent combustion efficiency.

Business Examples

Cushman & Wakefield modified the temperature settings and runtimes on boilers at Adobe Towers. This $400 measure resulted in more than a 20 percent reduction in natural gas use over previous years, saving Adobe $42,960 on energy costs. A digital boiler control operator was installed for better temperature in Adobe's East Tower, which saved another $1800 per year.


Resources

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR Building Manual: Heating and Cooling System Upgrades.