Is your company losing thousands of dollars annually due to inefficient energy use? Are there solutions to reduce energy waste that could be implemented? How do you learn the specifics of your energy use? If you consult an expert at NetZero Energy, you’ll receive the answers to your questions through an energy audit.
So, what is an energy audit? It’s a process that scans how your business is using and wasting energy. For example, NetZero Energy’s energy audit team examines building components such as:
Insulation
Heating and cooling (HVAC) systems
Lighting
Windows/window coverings
Doors
Skylights and more
Part of the energy audit includes equipment usage to determine where you’re wasting energy and losing money.
Similar to an annual health checkup, a yearly energy audit helps keep your business's energy profile fine-tuned and operating efficiently. The return on investment (ROI) for conducting an energy audit comes from calculating the savings made over time by implementing the changes.
The energy audit report points out where improvements can be made—like sealing up drafts, changing lighting, and upgrading old equipment—to boost efficiency. The goal? Lower utility bills and create a more eco-friendly space. Let’s review what makes up an energy audit and how it can help your business.
Heating and cooling system analysis
Depending on where your business is, replacing older equipment with more efficient HVAC solutions may reduce energy use by up to 50% for electric systems and up to 10% for natural gas heating systems.
Reasons to Replace an HVAC System
Aside from the energy efficiency features, there are quite a few reasons to replace your HVAC system.
It’s old. HVAC systems need replacement every 10 to 15 years.
It requires excessive maintenance, meaning you spend more money just to keep it running.
The ROI becomes more apparent, as any predicted energy savings can add up to cover the cost of the new system.
Older HVAC systems may create excessive noise and provide inconsistent comfort.
If there is a significant difference in room temperatures based on distance from the HVAC unit, it can't handle the load. Moreover, newer HVAC systems have smart features that automatically adjust the temperatures in selected zones according to room occupancy and use.
Analyzing your lighting system through an energy audit
If you haven't already converted your business entirely to LED lighting, you are wasting your money. In fact, there may be financial incentives to help you pay for an upgrade to LED lighting from outdated, less-efficient systems.
Additionally, if you are concerned about weather issues in your home state of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska, NetZero Energy concentrates LED lighting upgrades for your residency. You can count on their expertise in installing exterior LED lighting systems that withstand harsh weather conditions.
Benefits of LED Lighting
The benefits of LED lighting are pretty clear. For starters, LED lighting uses up to 90% less electricity than traditional bulbs, making them energy efficient. LED bulbs also produce 70-90% less heat. The bulbs also last at least 15 times longer than traditional bulbs.
In the end, you’ll be seeing a lower energy bill and cost savings, thanks to reduced electricity use, longer bulb life, and less maintenance.
The Department of Energy reports that LED lighting conversions save Americans nearly $15 billion annually. Widespread adoption of LEDs, especially for outdoor lighting, has the potential to reduce business energy costs by up to 20% nationwide.
What kind of energy savings can you see?
Suppose you run an office with 100 incandescent bulbs, each consuming 60 watts, on for 8 hours per day, five days a week. Here's a comparison of incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs:
Incandescent bulbs use 60 watts per bulb. If you have 100 bulbs, that’s 6,000 watts (or 6 kW). When you do the math, 6 kW at 8 hours times 5 days by 52 weeks equals 12,480 kWh annually. At an average energy rate of $0.12 per kWh, that’s $1,497.60 per year in energy costs.
If you switch to LEDs using 15-watt bulbs, since they produce the same light output, here’s what you can expect in terms of performance, wattage, and cost: If you have 100 bulbs, that means 1,500 watts (or 1.5 kW) per year. When you multiply it by the traditional business use (8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year), it comes to 3,120 kWh annually. At $0.12 per kWh, that’s $374.40 per year in energy costs.
In the end, your annual savings add up to $1,123.20 just by switching to LEDs for those 100 incandescent bulbs.
Additionally, LEDs can last 15 times or up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, saving you money spent on labor and replacements. You might replace an incandescent bulb once a year, whereas an LED bulb could last over a decade.
The savings from LED lighting upgrades may be significant and can be proven based on energy audit calculations. As a result, upgrading to LED lighting would be a boon for your business. If you work with NetZero Energy, they can offer specific LED lighting solutions for a host of different businesses, such as:
Schedule your NetZero energy audit
You might have a sense of how much money you could be saving, but it’s worth knowing precisely how much money you might be wasting. When you schedule a NetZero Energy audit, the results of your energy audit might shock you. In fact, many businesses cover the cost of the upgrade within two years. And, seriously-inefficient systems create savings from upgrades that cover the costs even faster.
When you contact NetZero Energy for an energy audit, ask about any applicable financial incentives for your area.