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Installing, running, and maintaining commercial HVAC systems can cost your business a fortune. In fact, these units are estimated to consume up to 40% of your total energy consumption in an office or commercial setup. With such high-cost demands, learning safe ways to minimize the cost of cooling and warming your air at work is important.
From regular maintenance and cleaning to upgrading your system, there’s a befitting solution that will always work for your system. Here are the top five solutions for minimizing your AC’s running costs.
Maintain and Clean Your Unit Regularly
Your HVAC system depends on the efficient performance of its internal components to achieve its intended purpose. Whether a new or used unit, it’s important to have it cleaned and serviced regularly for optimal performance.
One of the key components that must not go unchecked is the air duct, which supplies the right air quality to your rooms. You should consider hiring an HVAC maintenance company with the right air duct cleaning equipment to regularly check and clean your air ducts. This way, you can trust that your HVAC will cool or warm the air effectively for a long time.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
If you forget to turn off your AC anytime you’re out of your office or at night when everyone leaves, install a programmable thermostat. Installing one enables you to intelligently set schedules for when your AC should go on or off. You can set it to turn on when you enter a room and off when your room acquires the right temperature.
You can also set it to switch off your unit when everyone leaves so it doesn’t run all night in empty rooms and offices. The whole purpose of a programmable thermostat is to cut costs by minimizing the running time of your AC system.
Use Ceiling Fans Instead
Ceiling fans can be an excellent substitute for HVAC units, especially during warm weather conditions when you don’t need a lot of cool air flowing in. These fans use less energy to run than AC units and can effectively cool small office spaces without lowering your thermostat temperature. This helps you save more energy over the entire period of usage.
Install Shades, Blinds, and Shutters
HVAC units work extra hard to cool the air where a lot of natural heat penetrates a room. By installing shades, blinds, and shutters, you help block out the sun rays that raise your room’s temperature and stress your unit.
The opposite is also true in colder months, as these shades, blinds, and shutters help keep internal warm air constant, thus reducing the stress on your AC unit. In both instances, you enjoy lower bills and achieve optimal comfort levels without straining your HVAC unit.
Upgrade your AC System
An old AC unit doesn’t give you the best performance, even if you clean and maintain it regularly. Investing in a new one saves you a lot of money and gives you the peace of mind that it won’t break down when you need it most. If your unit is older than ten years, you should start planning a quick replacement, as it’s probably running past its recommended lifespan.
Achieving the best value for money on your HVAC system depends on how seriously you implement these cost-saving tips. Remember that cleaning and maintaining your unit is important even when your unit is still new.
Published by: Aly Cinco
