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Save Energy as the Temperatures Drop: Tips for Commercial HVAC Efficiency Using Building Automation

Published on: November 17, 2023

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Don’t let energy escape your building this winter. There are short and long-term solutions to keep your commercial HVAC system running smoothly.

Stay on top of dropping temperatures with short and long-term commercial HVAC solutions.

Stay on top of dropping temperatures with short and long-term commercial HVAC solutions.

It’s November in the Okanagan, when daytime highs are a little below sweater weather, and the lows start to dip into freezing. We recently covered the must-dos for your heating and cooling system before Jack Frost comes to town, but something else that’s key this time of year is optimizing your commercial HVAC system for efficiency.


Why HVAC efficiency matters

An efficient heating and cooling system is like the perfect cup of coffee—if it’s too hot, it will burn your mouth and ruin your day. Too cold leaves you uncomfortable and grumpy. Both result in wasted coffee and more money out of your pocket. But when it’s just right? You’re primed for the day, no fuel is wasted, and everything comes together like a perfect song.

Okay, maybe we just really like coffee, but you get the idea. An efficient HVAC system operates so smoothly you don’t notice it, optimizes your occupants’ comfort, and isn’t wasteful for the planet or your wallet. It’s a beautiful thing. So, how can you up your commercial building’s HVAC efficiency? There are various ways to help in the short and long term.


Short term solutions

There are simple, cost-effective ways to increase efficiency in your HVAC system almost immediately with a little TLC.


Maintenance

Cleaning is the first step in maintenance. Keep vents clean and unobstructed (maybe toss the dying office plant that’s taken up residence in front of the air vent in the breakroom) and invest in regular professional maintenance checks. These preventative maintenance solutions are like a quarterly check-up with your HVAC doctor. Professionals like Kimco will come in and ensure your HVAC system is running smoothly while also flagging any upcoming repairs so you can budget properly. No heating system kicking the bucket in the middle of a cold snap!


Repairs

Efficiency means everything runs properly. If you’ve been putting off repairs to your system, it’s likely to keep costs on the rise—both in the short term by impacting your energy usage and in the long term by potentially leading to bigger and more costly repairs. Don’t wait for disaster to strike; contact a professional to help repair your HVAC system today.


Long Term commercial automation solutions

Some solutions can’t be turned around in a day or even a week but are worth it in the long run. Building automation is essential to optimizing efficiency when it comes to your building.


Building automation benefits

Building automation regulates heat, lighting, and even air quality using sensors that can automatically detect and correct for people in the room, temperature fluctuations, humidity control, and more. That stability leads to consistent temperatures and prevents spikes in energy usage. That’s just the beginning. Other benefits of building automation include:

  • Lower operational costs
  • Comfortable, happier occupants
  • Real-time feedback
  • Remote troubleshooting

Learn more about the benefits of building automation when the temperatures drop on the blog.


Retrofits

Out with the old and in with the new. Upgrading old equipment and integrating current technology into older buildings is a long-term project that can be daunting and seem costly. Still, it results in big savings in the long run and tighter energy usage. A commercial HVAC professional will help guide you through the process to make it stress-free.


Rebates

Building automation is the way of the future (and the present!), but the costs of new technologies can add up. Good thing that stakeholders like FortisBC are invested in a greener, energy-efficient future by providing rebates for some equipment upgrades. Contractors like Kimco are able to guide you through available rebates and help you save. Learn more about the FortisBC rebates program.

Work with a people-first company that’s on the cutting edge of building automation, HVAC, and electrical in the Thompson-Okanagan. See how Kimco can help today.


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