Easy Ways to Save Money

By performing a comprehensive building energy survey, you will likely discover a variety of no-cost/low-cost energy conservation opportunities (ECOs). Typically, a building engineer can implement no-cost/low-cost ECOs. These require very little initial capital requirement and usually have a quick payback. The savings these ECOs generate can reduce your facility's energy cost by 10 to 20%. There are a variety of ECOs. Some relate to bringing an existing piece of equipment, device or system up to design conditions. Others involve modifying a given piece of equipment, device or system for improved performance. This includes adding new equipment, devices or systems designed to improve energy efficiency without affecting conditions needed to support comfort or processes. Other ECOs are tied to operating and maintenance (O&M) procedures, which can assure that energy optimization is achieved and maintained. O&M procedures are particularly important for three primary reasons.

1. It is estimated that the quality of O&M affects at least 15% of annual energy consumption. The savings can be substantial.

2. The quality of O&M also affects how well your building performs the functions it is intended to perform, e.g., providing comfortable conditions and supporting necessary processes. Reliability also is important. Equipment, devices and systems, which are operated and maintained well, will perform more accurately and with far less down time than those that are not.

3. Good O&M affects the cost of O&M. At first, a very effective O&M program may seem expensive. In the long-term, however, a high-quality O&M program is far less expensive, primarily because of preventive maintenance procedures. Preventive maintenance helps minimize the need for expensive breakdown maintenance and repairs. It also helps keep small problems from becoming large problems. Good preventive maintenance will extend the usable life of most equipment and, combined with good operating practices, will increase the value and salability of your building.

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