6 Cost-Saving Tips for Your Commercial Air Conditioner

Saving costs and making a profit is the fundamental goal of any business. When it comes to business utilities, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can cost a great deal if overlooked or mismanaged. Buildings can use up a great deal of power – HVAC systems, in particular, can take up to nearly 40% of a property’s energy use. In this article, we will explore the different ways a business can control and improve its HVAC cost strategy, with an emphasis on air conditioning.

1. Conduct an Energy Audit

Firstly, it is crucial to know how much energy your air conditioners are using. Owners should go through old energy bills to get a general estimate. Areas to look out for include checking if the overall energy efficiency of your appliances is dwindling or being maintained at the same rate. You would know also need to know when the system was last serviced. Identifying spikes in energy consumption can indicate what the problem might be. With more data on hand, the more efficient and easier it is to tackle the issue of overconsumption of energy.

2. Invest in Efficient Energy

Investing doesn’t necessarily mean purchasing equipment or overhauling the system. There are several adjustments you can make to save costs. For example, you can retrofit and replace parts of an existing or older air conditioning unit by replacing certain elements such as the compressor and adding demand-controlled ventilation and condenser fan controls to ensure better comfort.

Another method is to introduce programmable thermostats which adjust the temperature according to customised settings. An alternative is using technology features that detect the number of people within the building and adjust the settings for cooling appropriately.

To reduce energy costs that come from cooling a building’s interior, owners can also purchase smart blinds or glass for their windows, which can be handled manually or via sensors. Other factors that will need to be considered include the direction of the sun and building, time of day, and window size.

3. Conduct Regular Maintenance

To further save electricity usage, scheduling regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns and disruptions is paramount to ensuring that all cooling systems operate effectively. Putting it off will only cause a potentially inefficient HVAC system to incur increasing expenses. The key is finding a skilled and trustworthy technician who can properly handle the HVAC system and equipment.

You should also unclog air filters that might be straining the current system and seal up cooling ducts to improve air conditioning efficiency. Ducts or vents can be sealed using sealants such as Aeroseal or even foil tape.

4. Educate and Communicate with Employees

Creating awareness about saving energy or other energy-saving initiatives can also cut down costs. Most people are compliant and even happy to use energy wisely if made aware of the correct practices. Establishing guidelines can be a strategy that may not cost much but can save you a great deal.

Examples of easy-to-implement initiatives include setting reminders to ensure there are no air conditioning units left running when the office closes. This is a common problem that often causes electricity wastage in commercial spaces.

5. Check the Energy Ratings

Business owners can also invest in new air conditioning systems that are proven to adhere to updated energy efficiency standards. Before making your purchase, check the Zoned Energy Rating Label or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating; these are standardised measures of efficiency that will let you know how energy-guzzling the appliances you would like to purchase are.

6. Work with a Qualified Contractor/Technician

As air conditioners for business and commercial use are different from residential units, it’s essential to get a professional technician or contractor to help you with commercial air conditioning repair and services. The technicians will conduct regular maintenance, acquire the right equipment, and implement the right strategies so that businesses will save on their costs.

Ensuring regular maintenance is key to lowering your business’ energy costs. By inspecting, regulating, and even changing the HVAC system to a better and energy-saving model, business owners are able to save overhead costs in the long run. On top of air conditioning maintenance services, John Bossy Refrigeration also provides installation for commercial air conditioning in Adelaide for businesses of all scales and sizes. Call us anytime at (08) 8177 0761 for more details or schedule an appointment.