Year-round

• Replace old heating and cooling systems (older than 25 years) with high efficiency equipment
• Control all heating and cooling units that serve a common area together so that they are not 'fighting' each other (one heating and one cooling the same space at the same time)
• Use replacement air systems so as not to draw conditioned air from the rest of the facility through the exhaust system
• Keep ducts and filters clean so HVAC equipment can operate at maximum efficiency and lower cost
• Manage the building temperature by turning the air conditioning up and the heat down during unoccupied periods. An Energy Management System allows you to program HVAC operation based on your business hours and the season; it can significantly reduce energy use and cost.

Summer

• Control sunlight entering the building by using reflective solar window treatments or blinds
• Frequently check outdoor AC coils and remove debris
• Reduce cooled space by closing off storage and non-public areas
• Avoid overcooling. Set the thermostat at the highest comfortable setting. During non-business hours, raise the thermostat five to 10 degrees to reduce energy costs by as much as five to seven percent.
• Upgrade to a high efficiency AC unit. Look for a system with a high SEER rating. The higher the SEER rating, the lower the cost to operate.
• For larger cooling systems, 10 tons and above, consider purchasing a system that includes an outdoor air economizer cycle. Economizers can provide 'free' space cooling by shutting off the air conditioner compressor and bringing in outdoor air when temperature and humidity conditions allow.

Winter

• Clean or replace filters frequently and perform maintenance as required to keep the furnace in good working condition
• Avoid overheating. Set the thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting. For every one degree decrease in temperature, you could reduce heating costs by two percent.
• Warehouse areas may only require minimal heat for freeze protection. Spot heating these areas with radiant space heaters can be an effective way to lower costs.
• Use zone controls to keep unoccupied spaces at a lower temperature or seal them off from the rest of the building.
• If the heating system is a boiler, install a boiler reset control to manage water temperature and improve efficiency. Be sure the boiler has a vent damper. A vent damper can achieve up to 10 percent annual fuel savings.