As sustainability becomes a growing priority for business owners, many are looking for the quickest, most efficient way to drive results. Lowering energy consumption is one of the best ways to boost your sustainability, as you can see an immediate reduction in your carbon footprint. And one of the best places to begin targeting your energy usage is your commercial HVAC units, as they are for most businesses the highest consumer of energy.
In this post, we are going to share how commercial HVAC units impact a facility’s energy efficiency, and how you can make your units more sustainable. To learn more about the various technologies that can help your business become more sustainable, and a deeper, more detailed rundown of commercial HVACs, download our latest white paper for free: Empowering Business Sustainability: Energy Management Technologies Transforming the Future
How much energy does HVAC use in commercial buildings?
In commercial buildings, HVACs can account for an estimated 40% of the monthly energy bill. However, most commercial HVAC units in the U.S. are outdated and inefficient, and upgrading to more modern models can drastically reduce this energy consumption. An energy efficient unit can cut HVAC energy usage by 50%, while the most advanced ultra high performance (UHP) HVACs can reduce usage by up to 70%. Not sure how to tell which HVAC models are the most efficient? Luckily, the U.S. Department of Energy has efficiency rating systems in place to make it easier to upgrade sustainably. The two systems are IEER and SEER.
IEER vs SEER: What’s the Difference?
With two different HVAC efficiency ratings, you might be confused about IEER vs. SEER and how they differ. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and IEER stands for Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio. These ratios are calculated using equations that account for the amount of energy used by the machines and the amount of cooling power they generate. But the most important thing you need to know is quite simple: the higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is.
IEER is a more modern and precise number that includes measurements of the HVAC’s performance at different outdoor temperatures. SEER is a slightly older way of rating that is primarily used to rate residential HVAC equipment. New legal requirements for HVACs came into effect in 2023 across the U.S., and now any new air conditioners produced must have a minimum SEER of 14 in northern states and 15 in southern states. However, there are even higher efficiency models on the market as well, and experts recommend businesses use premium 23 SEER HVAC units to get the highest level of energy savings.
How to Make Your Commercial HVAC Unit More Energy Efficient (5 Steps)
1. Routine Maintenance and Inspection
Regular preventative maintenance of your commercial HVAC units is essential for energy efficiency. Maintenance performed around two times a year helps keep HVACs in the best working condition by cleaning them, changing older parts, testing various functions, and making any adjustments before any serious issues occur.. Clogged filters, worn down belts, broken parts, debris and more can all cause your HVAC to work harder to make up for these issues. That translates into more energy consumed by the machine, which can significantly increase your monthly utility bills and your carbon emissions. Regular commercial HVAC maintenance will ensure your machine is as energy efficient as possible, helping you save money and helping the environment. There are other benefits of HVAC maintenance as well, from cleaner air to improved environmental comfort and safety.
2. Upgrade to Commercial Heat Pumps and UHP HVACs
Commericial heat pumps are the most cutting-edge air conditioning technology on the market. While traditional HVACs often can lead to energy waste (and issues of humidity, dust, noise and poor air-filtering), heat pumps can maintain the same temperatures with a fraction of the energy needed and solve other issues as well. A heat pump extracts heat energy from the air (or in a geothermal heat pump system, from underground) and uses it to either heat or cool a chemical refrigerant. It can extract heat from the air, even in extremely cold weather. Plus, heat pumps do not require natural gas, and fully electrify the heating process, making them more environmentally friendly.
UHP HVACs, which we are innovating at Budderfly, are heat-pump based systems that minimize energy waste and improve overall facility comfort. Upgrading to these models can have a significant impact on commercial HVAC unit energy usage and a facility’s carbon footprint.
3. Leverage Technology with a Commercial Smart Thermostat
Commercial smart thermostats have become an increasingly popular way to manage HVAC usage. This technology allows users to schedule settings in order to have different temperatures at different times of the day. With the Budderfly Smart Thermostat, you can configure up to four schedules per day and specify schedule start time and setpoint range. It allows a variety of settings and enables energy savings by automating different temperatures during hours when a building isn’t occupied. Energy is wasted when your HVAC works to heat and cool to the most comfortable temperatures when no one is around. Utilizing a commercial smart thermostat improves sustainability, provides easier operations, and saves more energy.
4. Use Variable Frequency Drives
Though upgrading HVAC equipment to the most high-efficiency models available is typically the best strategy for boosting energy savings and sustainability, existing HVAC machines can be fitted with energy efficient enhancements. Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) can be installed on HVAC units that are not getting replaced to improve their efficiency by adjusting the speed of the HVAC’s compressor, fan, and pump motors based on the demand or load in the building. By operating at variable speeds, with Variable Frequency Drives HVAC energy waste can be reduced, making sure the HVAC is only working proportionally to demand, not over-cooling during off-peak periods, for example. The result is lower energy consumption, an improved carbon footprint, and—since they won’t work unnecessarily—fewer damages and improved longevity for your existing HVAC units.
5. Efficient Zoning and Ventilation Controls
In a typical HVAC system, there is a set temperature that the system works to maintain throughout the building. This can lead to certain parts of a building that are uncomfortably cold or warm, as well as wasted energy. One advantage of ultra high performance commercial HVAC units is that they enable there to be different temperature zones throughout a building. That means, for example, a kitchen and dining room could be set at different temperatures for optimal comfort. This creates a more controllable environment to ensure improved comfort for both patrons and employees. It also means the system only works as much as it needs to for various temperatures and cuts down on energy usage, lowering emissions and improving environmental impact.
What are the Benefits of Energy-Efficient Commercial HVAC Units?
There are countless benefits to upgrading your commercial HVAC units to more energy efficient models. These advantages include:
- Enhanced sustainability
- Reduced operational costs and monthly energy bills
- Cleaner air and safer environments
- Improved employee comfort and productivity
- Compliance with governmental regulations
- Longer lasting equipment
The only potential drawback of energy efficient HVAC upgrades is the upfront cost, as many business owners don’t have the capital to spare, even though it will save money in the long run. At Budderfly, we provide our customers with high efficiency equipment, including commercial HVAC units, with absolutely no upfront cost. And that’s only a small part of what we do. To learn more about the suite of industry-leading sustainability technologies we deploy, download our new white paper for free:
Empowering Business Sustainability: Energy Management Technologies Transforming the Future
To talk to one of our experts directly, contact us today.