- Turn off PCs, monitors, printers, and copiers
nightly and on weekends. If unable to switch off the entire
computer, turn off the monitor and printer.
- When purchasing PCs, monitors, printers, fax
machines and copiers, consider buying Energy Star models that can
switch to a power-saving mode when not in use.
- If feasible, use laptop computers where
possible, as they consume 90 percent less energy than desktop
computers.
- Ink-jet printers also consume 90 percent less
energy than laser printers -- consider using them wherever possible.
- Paper-reducing strategies, such as
double-sided printing, re-using paper, and using e-mail instead of
sending memos or faxing documents not only save energy, but conserve
other resources, such as staff time.
back to top
- Turn off non-essential and decorative
lighting, especially in unoccupied areas.
- Replace flickering, dim and burned-out lamps.
- Clean fixtures and diffusers (at least
annually).
- Color-code or mark light switches and circuit
breakers that can be turned off when not needed.
- Use task lighting to directly illuminate work
areas.
- Lower the height of light fixtures if
possible to increase usable light.
- Replace burned out lamps with lower wattage
lamps or energy-saving lamps wherever possible.
- Replacing incandescent lighting systems with
compact fluorescent and/or high-pressure fixtures.
- Replace existing T12 lighting systems with
energy-efficient T8 lighting and electronic ballasts.
- Install more efficient security and parking
lot lighting. High-pressure sodium fixtures are more efficient than
metal halide, mercury vapor, fluorescent or incandescent fixtures.
- Install time clocks or photoelectric cells to
control exterior lighting, advertising sign lighting and some
interior lighting.
- Paint dark walls and ceilings with lighter
colors to maximize the effect of existing light sources.
- Maximize natural lighting by installing
skylights or windows.
- Install dimmer or occupancy switches where
appropriate to lower energy use such as in stairwells, copy rooms,
restrooms.
- Schedule janitorial services during the day,
or use a minimum number of lights when cleaning.
- Color-code switches that should remain off
when crews are cleaning.
- Implement a group re-lamping schedule, and
re-lamp at 70% of rated lamp life. Lamps that run longer than 70% of
their rated life actually cost more in terms of energy use.
- Trim bushes and trees away from outdoor
lighting to maximize illumination and prevent shadows.
back to top
Regularly...
- Keep vents closed in unoccupied areas to
prevent heating or cooling of storage areas and closets.
- Reduce fresh air intake to the minimum
necessary for the type of business.
- Treat water in evaporative condensers
regularly.
- Replace old HVAC systems with new
energy-efficient systems.
- Install paddle fans, stratotherm fans, or
other re-circulating systems to create air movement. Ceiling
temperatures can often be 30 to 40 degrees higher than floor
temperatures, and air movement from fans can enhance the cooling
ability of air conditioning systems.
- Install air conditioner economizers to use
outside air to cool buildings when outdoor air is lower than indoor
temperatures.
- Install time clocks, set-back thermostats,
and microprocessor thermostats to monitor HVAC systems when
buildings are unoccupied.
- Install intermittent ignition devices on gas
furnaces to save gas.
- Modify flue dampers on gas furnaces to
increase burner efficiency.
Monthly ...
- Check air filters monthly, and clean or
change as needed.
- Check air intake screens monthly, and clean
as required.
- Inspect air dampers monthly, and keep them as
airtight as possible.
- Check V-belts (fan belts) monthly for frays,
cracks, and nicks, and replace as necessary.
- Check heat recovery devices monthly for
proper operation.
- Brush off air conditioner condenser coils
monthly.
Quarterly ...
- Check motors, bearings, and blower fans every
3 months, and lubricate as required.
- Check heating and cooling coils every 3
months, and clean as needed.
- Check vacuum blower compartments every 3
months.
- Check ducts, vents, and pipes every 3 months,
and repair any damaged insulation.
Seasonally ...
- Check cooling systems in the spring before
the cooling season begins.
- Check pulleys and sheaves in the spring and
fall for alignment and proper belt tension.
- Set thermostats at 788 or higher for cooling
during the summer.
- During the summer, open windows and use only
the fan portion of cooling systems when outdoor air is cooler than
indoor temperatures. Keep doors and windows closed when air
conditioning systems are operating.
- Check heating systems in the fall before the
heating season begins.
- During the winter, open shades and blinds on
sunny days to warm buildings naturally, and close them at night to
prevent heat loss.
- Set thermostats at 68 degrees or lower for
heating in the winter, and 55 degrees when buildings are unoccupied.
If heating is required in warehouses, set thermostats to 50 degrees.
Annually ...
- Check cabinets and brackets once a year, and
tighten all bolts and screws as necessary.
- Check housings yearly, and remove rust and
re-paint as required.
back to top
Regularly
- Remove internal shelf lights to reduce
refrigeration and lighting energy use.
- Remove all, or at least every other
incandescent bulb over refrigerated meat displays.
- Maintain display fixtures and freezers at the
following temperatures for maximum energy savings:
- Frozen food cases, -8 degrees F
- Ice cream cases/chests, -14 degrees F
- Deli cases, 35 degrees F
- Beer cases, 40 degrees F
- Soda/dairy cases, 40 degrees F
- Keep products below market load lines in
freezers and coolers. Overloaded displays decrease product quality
and increase energy use by as much as 10 to 20% per unit.
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for
shelf positions and sizes to prevent increased refrigeration loads.
- Keep doors on refrigerated units open as
little as necessary when unloading or re-stocking.
- Use recommended night covers on
low-temperature fixtures, and keep covers below load lines to reduce
compressor run time and save energy.
- Clean condensing fins and plates monthly, and
inspect for ice build-up and bent fins.
- Check door latches and gaskets on
refrigeration and freezer units regularly; adjust latches and
replace worn door gaskets as needed.
- When purchasing new refrigeration systems
select the higher energy efficiency rating (EER) -- the greater the
cooling capacity for each kWh of energy input, the greater the
efficiency of the system.
- Brush condenser coils weekly with a
non-metallic brush, and clean coils monthly if dust build-up is
extensive.
Monthly or quarterly
- Check refrigerant monthly for correct charge.
- Clean meat and dairy cases monthly.
- Clean produce and freezer cases every three
months.
Annually
- Check refrigerator and freezer gaskets
annually for leaks and wear, and replace as needed.
- Perform annual checks on refrigeration and
freezer units to determine whether units are level; upright doors
should close automatically from an open position.
- Have automatic defrost cycles checked
annually and adjusted if necessary by a trained service technician.
back to top
Motors
- Turn off motors used in perimeter fan coil
units on mild winter nights to permit the system to operate by
natural convection.
- Tighten belts and pulleys at regular
intervals to prevent slippage.
- Lubricate motors and drive regularly to
reduce friction.
- Replace bearings when worn.
- Check and adjust alignment between motor and
drive equipment to reduce wear ad excessive torque.
- Keep motors clean to facilitate cooling.
- Purchase motors with the highest energy
efficiency available.
- Replace worn or defective motors with motors
sized as close to load as possible.
back to top
- Install weather-stripping around exterior
doors and operable windows, and around doors between cooled and
uncooled spaces.
- Install door bottoms, thresholds, or door
“shoes” to seal gaps beneath exterior doors and doors to
uncooled spaces.
- Insulate exterior walls and floors, and
insulate roof or ceiling spaces to R-19 standards or above wherever
possible.
- Install window treatments where feasible,
such as shade screens, shades, awnings, or overhangs.
- If exterior treatments are not feasible,
consider interior window film, insulated drapes, valances and/or
blinds, or removable insulation material
- Caulk cracks and gaps around windows and
doors, in the building foundation, and between different building
materials.
- Repair roof leaks. Insulation will lose
effectiveness when wet.
- Repair and maintain door and window
weather-stripping to prevent water and moisture entry, causing doors
and windows to warp and deteriorate.
- Consider permanently closing and sealing
doors and windows NOT needed for building access or ventilation and
that are NOT used as safety or fire exits.
- Keep doors between heated and unheated spaces
and cooled and uncooled spaces closed, and install automatic door
closers if needed.
back to top
- Preheat cooking equipment according to the
manufacturer's recommendations. Exceeding manufacturer's
specifications can increase energy use.
- Use cooking equipment to full capacity.
Fully-loaded equipment utilizes energy more efficiently.
- Turn off back-up fryers, and turn ovens down
or off during low production periods.
- Do not overload fryer baskets beyond the
manufacturer's recommended capacity. Overloading baskets can
increase cooking time, and energy use.
- Check oven doors for a tight fit, and to
ensure gaskets are in good condition. Adjust and/or replace door
seals and gaskets as necessary.
- Clean equipment regularly as specified by the
manufacturer.
- Purchase insulated cooking equipment whenever
possible, such as fryers, ovens, coffee machines.
|
