Inefficient buildings can potentially rob your business financially. It can be frustrating to know that your overall profits could be much more if you didn’t pay expensive and inefficient bills. Krueger Electric in Kelowna discusses the top commercial electrical upgrades that can increase your buildings’ energy efficiency.
- Lighting
- Drafty Windows
- Outdated HVAC Systems
- Water Heaters
- Improper Insulation
Commercial Electrical Upgrades for Lighting
Some businesses such as warehouses, hangars, schools and factories use older lighting methods including fluorescent bulbs or their compact counterparts called CFLs. We rely on our interior and exterior lighting daily. Switch out any old fluorescents or halogen bulbs to significantly reduce energy consumption. Krueger Electric enjoys recommending which products will best suit your needs for every lighting and energy-saving application. Feel great about saving on monthly bills and saving the planet by eliminating millions of tons of greenhouse gasses collectively by upgrading to LEDs.
Sealing Drafts
Another commercial electrical upgrade that can drastically save you cash is sealing all air leaks. Common locations include:
- Windows
- Ceilings
- Walls
- Floors
- Fireplaces
- Doors
- Electrical Panel
- Electrical Outlets
If you are unsure of where the air is leaking from your building, consider having an energy audit or blower test completed. Or, you can opt to go old-school and walk around with a lighter or a lit candle to see where the flame dances wildly (flammability permitting, depending on your location). Or, some prefer to blow the candle out and watch where the smoke goes. Either way, you will be alerted to drafty and inefficient locations and can hone in on sealing them.
Spray foam sealants, caulking and weather-stripping can help you reduce drafts anywhere from 5% to 30%. This adds up to huge energy savings. Replacing cracked, broken or single-pane windows and skylights can additionally save you money. Many people don’t realize how drafty their electrical panel can be and this may be the root cause of your chilly basement or utility room.
Commercial Electrical Upgrades: Appliances & Furnace
Heating and cooling costs account for a tremendous amount of energy every day. Your building may be running off of an outdated system. Upgrade to Energy Star equipment and install a programmable thermostat. Set it to a lower temperature during the day while you are at work or school and at night for better sleep. It is estimated that up to 64% of your bills go towards heating and cooling costs. It is possible to save tremendously by utilizing your programmable thermostat.
Energy Efficient Water Heater
Many older and outdated systems could be robbing you blind. Hot water is used in bathrooms, kitchens and for certain industrial applications. Check your labels and see when your system was installed and if it is time for your commercial electrical upgrade.
How’s Your Attic Insulation?
Many commercial buildings have attics, crawl spaces, basements, mezzanines and more. It can be easy to forget to check how insulated these areas are. Help yourself trap more heat by conducting a thorough inspection into these locations you may have forgotten about.
Call Krueger Electric For Your Commercial Electrical Upgrades
Our friendly and professional team would love to help you put more cashback into your pocket! From new construction to retrofitting an older building, tying in an addition or any step in between, we can help!
Contact us today to obtain an experienced opinion and recommendations that you can bank on! Your commercial electrical upgrades are easier to implement than you might have imagined!
