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Upgrade Your Facility

Did you know?

Renovations and retrofits that replace older systems with more efficient technology in existing buildings can reduce a business' energy costs by as much as 30%.

Leaders in Energy Efficiency

Read case studies and best practice guides about successful energy conservation and efficiency programs implemented by businesses in California.

Technical Assistance Spotlight

Nonresidential Energy Audit: This statewide program provides a free on-site audit to help businesses identify no- and low-cost energy-saving techniques, find incentive programs and much more.

California businesses are "flexing their power" with innovative energy conservation and efficiency projects that save energy and money. Utility bills average about 20 percent of all operating expenses in commercial office buildings. However, these are not fixed costs; efforts should be made to minimize energy and water use and their associated costs while maintaining comfort and tenant satisfaction. Renovations and retrofits that replace older systems with more efficient technology in existing buildings can reduce a business' energy costs by as much as 30%.

Step 1: Benchmark your facility

Energy use is one of the most expensive operating expenses in a commercial property, but often goes unchecked. Benchmarking is an easy tool to quickly assess how energy-efficient properties are, and to help identify options for reducing costs and protect asset value.

Benchmarking a property results in a simple to understand metric. Two numbers are important:

  1. Kilowatt-hours per square foot per year (kWh/sq. ft./year)
  2. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager score (1 to 100)

In California, the most energy-efficient commercial office properties operate around 11 to 16 kWh/sq. ft. An ENERGY STAR-labeled building has scored at least 75 out of 100. If your buildings operate outside of these parameters, then there is opportunity for you to improve energy efficiency and save money.

Begin today! Go to www.energystar.gov and click on "Business Improvement." This brings you information on Portfolio Manager, the online benchmarking tool. Set-up a secure account, and get started. Contact your utility account manager for assistance calculating your actual usage, and work with facility and property staff to collect any other information.

Step 2: Conduct an energy audit. Investigate energy efficiency options

Conduct an energy audit to learn what equipment is consuming the most energy and dollars in your facility - and what actions you can take to start saving. Audits demonstrate no, low-cost and investment grade energy projects. Many utilities and companies throughout California offer free online and on-site audits for businesses.

Step 3. Develop an energy management program

The energy management program encompasses a company's energy-related priorities as well as a strategy to attain energy savings and energy cost savings. The program will help assure that resources invested are spent wisely and strategically.

To begin, consider:

  • Appointing an energy manager responsible for overseeing plan management.
  • Adopting an energy policy that clearly articulates company goals and objectives.
  • Convening an energy team responsible for planning and implementation.
  • Developing an action plan to implement energy-saving measures identified in the energy audit. Determine which options offer the best savings potential by performing a cost-benefit analysis, making sure to include both direct and indirect benefits.
  • Develop a measurement and verification plan, based on the energy policy and action plan, that clearly lays out the metrics used to establish baseline data as well as to measure subsequent program results.

There are hundreds of cost-effective energy-saving upgrade options for commercial facilities. Common solutions to consider include:

  • Use automated lighting sensors and controls to reduce lighting costs by up to 45%.
  • Increase roof insulation or switch to a protected-membrane roofing system to reduce energy usage by as much as 18%.
  • Install awnings, solar shade screens or sun-control film to reduce heat loss and heat entry to save 5% to 10% on energy costs.
  • Replace heating and cooling systems with a packaged, premium-efficiency HVAC system to save up to 40% on energy costs.

Step 4: Find the information and products you need to start saving now

Flex Your Power has tools and resources to help your business save energy and money today:

ENERGY STAR also offers facility executives an online financial value calculator. Assess the measurable rate of return and present a compelling business case for your energy efficiency investments. Rebates offered by utility companies further reduce the payback period for your facility!

Step 5: Measure your results

Measurement and verification (M&V) efforts validate and improve predictions of system efficiencies and energy use and cost, in addition to providing management and investors the information they need.

Helpful information on M&V protocols: