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Energy-Saving Tips Cards

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Download our hot weather energy-saving tips cards and reduce electricity costs as well as protect the environment.

Upgrade Your Facility

Did you know?

Facility owners and operators know that energy costs are significant. These costs can be reduced by investing in proven and cost-effective, energy-saving technologies and systems. For most process industries, for example, the potential savings from energy management plans and energy efficiency projects are as much as 30%!

Leaders in Energy Efficiency

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

Since 1978, Title 24, the State's Energy Efficiency Building Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings, (along with standards for energy-efficient appliances) have saved more than $20 billion in electricity and natural gas costs in California. It is estimated that the standards, amended in 2001, will save $57 billion by 2011.

While complying with Title 24 saves energy, there are ways to achieve even greater energy and energy cost savings — cost-effectively. Many businesses in California have exceeded Title 24 standards when designing and building new projects and seen amazing results. Your business can too.

Step 1: Investigate your obligations and options

Start with California's Energy Efficiency Building Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24).

Questions about Title 24?

E-mail: title24@energy.state.ca.us
Phone: (800) 772-3300

For a hard copy of Title 24, call the California Energy Commission's publications office at (916) 654-5200.

To cost-effectively achieve or exceed standards, facility designs must consider whole building systems. Start with the Building Design Checklist (PDF) to plan a new facility.

There are countless ways to integrate energy-saving design measures into your facility construction plans. Consider these when developing your plans:

  • Apply a heat-blocking, reflective coating to the roof of plants and office buildings. Reflective roofing, or "cool roofs," reflects more than 65% of the sun's energy and can emit more than 80% of the stored heat. Cool roofs stay 50° to 60° F cooler during summer conditions than traditional hot-roof materials.
  • Utilize highly insulated plant shells to save up to 18% in energy use.
  • Maximize daylighting using skylights, atria and appropriately-placed windows.
  • Install insulated windows and tinted windows to reduce solar heat gain or heat loss.
  • Use xeriscaping, a resource-efficient landscape design that uses draught-tolerant and native plants, and other landscaping techniques to reduce weather effects by as much as 9 degrees.
  • Use energy-efficient heat pumps that can improve heat system performance by 40%.
  • Install sensors that reduce energy by switching off up to 50% of the lights when there is ample daylight for visibility and safety. After hours or when the space is unoccupied, occupancy sensors turn off all lights. These controls can save 20% to 50% of standard lighting energy consumption.

Step 2: Run a cost/benefit analysis of the projects to exceed Title 24

Determine which options offer the best savings potential by performing a cost-benefit analysis, making sure to include both direct and indirect benefits. ENERGY STAR makes it easier by offering facility executives the ENERGY STAR online financial value calculator. Assess the measurable rate of return and present a compelling business case for your energy efficiency investments.

Click here (PDF) for examples of the value of specific energy-saving features.

The cost effectiveness of these measures can be greatly enhanced by available rebates that reduce the payback period for your facility.

Step 3: 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:

Step 4: Measure your results

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

Helpful information on M&V protocols: