Office Buildings
High energy efficiency can have an immediate positive effect on your operating budgets. The first step is to development an energy management program.
Figures are based on Hawaiian Electric Company data and an average electric consumption of 76 kWh/square-foot-year. Energy use is affected by weather; number of occupants; building size and thermal integrity; cooling, heating, and water systems; and miscellaneous equipment.
Energy Management Program
An energy management program studies energy usage, how and where energy is used, and evaluates ways to save, reduce and implement energy conservation measures to increase a building’s operating efficiency. It can also involve training employees on energy-saving steps they can take.
Some areas to consider in an energy management program include:
Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Air conditioning can use from 30% to 80% of total energy used by an office building.
A number of energy conservation measures can be implemented to an office building’s cooling system to provide more efficient operation:
- Installing energy efficient air conditioning/chiller equipment. Rebate qualified.
- Installing HVAC fans and pumps with variable frequency drives that can control motor and pump speeds as well as the electricity needed to run the fans and pumps. Rebates for both fans & pumps.
- Putting window film to reduce heat loss. Rebate qualified.
- Adding insulation for windows and doors, such as weather stripping and thresholds.
- Installing a timer on supply air fans.
- Utilizing energy management systems.
- Installing an economizer.
Lighting
Lighting can take up 30% to 50% of the total energy used by an office building.
Fluorescent tubes, generally used in most buildings, are a relatively efficient lighting source.
Hawaii Energy has a number of rebates that help office building lighting become even more energy efficient:
- Low-wattage T8 and T5 lamps with electronic ballasts can replace older, less efficient T12s. Rebate qualified.
- Reflectors enable delamping (reducing the number of lamps needed). Rebate qualified.
- CFLs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Rebate qualified.
- LED exit signs are even more efficient that fluorescent lights. Rebate qualified.
- Induction lighting offers long-lasting, low-maintenance solutions to hard-to-reach places and public facilities. Rebate qualified.
- Pulse-start metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps provide high-intensity lighting, long lamp light and high energy efficiency for spaces where lights are used for many hours and have high ceilings. Rebate qualified.
- Occupancy sensors, or automatic lighting controls, switch off lights when people leave the room and turn them back on when people return. Programmable timers can also turn lights on and off at appropriate hours. Rebate qualified.
- Light tubes and other natural light maximizers that can replace some electric lighting can qualify for Hawaii Energy custom rebates. Rebate qualified.
Hot Water
Hot water used in office buildings is generally only needed for hand washing and takes only about 1% of total energy use.
Nonetheless, office buildings can reduce building electricity use by:
- Setting water temperature to 120°F.
- Insulating water tanks and pipes.
- Repairing all leaks immediately.
Turn It Off
The remaining energy used in an office building may be related to electric motors, miscellaneous equipment, or elevators. Energy conservation measures related to these devices will depend upon the specific device and operation. Turning off these devices whenever practical and providing a regular maintenance program will help lower energy expenses.
