Q: My business has been at our current location for less than a year. My staff tells me they’re often adjusting the heat or the air conditioning because it’s either too cold or too hot and stuffy. Meanwhile, my utility bills are sky high. I’m hoping to avoid a full-scale overhaul of the space – what do I do?
- BH, Caledonia County
A:
Paul:
I would start by looking at your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system, to see that it’s meeting your specific needs. Many Vermont businesses are able to lower energy costs by hundreds to thousands of dollars per year this way, depending on building size. In addition to lowering energy costs and increasing your comfort, the right HVAC system may improve indoor air quality.
Dan:
An HVAC contractor will probably start by looking at your controls — these may be as simple as a wall-mounted thermostat or as complex as a facility-wide, computerized setup, depending on your HVAC system. He or she can determine if your existing controls can be programmed to respond to your facility’s changing conditions, taking into account your hours of operation, the size of your facility, and the impact of activities in the building on the generation of heat, moisture, and airborne particles.
Paul:
The contractor will also review your equipment, and how it’s laid out. It could be that some areas are over- or under-supplied, or that some of your equipment is sized or adjusted incorrectly — this can certainly affect performance. It’s also possible that some component is simply broken, even though you’re in a new space. It could be as simple as a blown fuse.
Dan:
If you have a mechanical service contract, ask if a routine HVAC control optimization can be included as part of annual service calls. It’s not uncommon for HVAC controls to need an annual “tune up” to make sure that they’re meeting current needs. And, in case you don’t already have your system serviced annually, I want to emphasize that regular service is key to proper operation.
Paul:
If you and your contractor determine that it’s time to replace or upgrade your equipment, look into rebates offered by Efficiency Vermont. Rebates are available for specified efficient equipment, including boilers, furnaces, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, refrigeration, and motors. You can download rebate forms and find contractors at our Find a Contractor page, and additional rebates may be available for custom projects, so contact Efficiency Vermont if you don’t see certain equipment listed.
Dan:
Best of luck with lowering your costs and improving your comfort. Thanks for writing in!