Paying for utilities in Boston, MA isn’t cheap. This is especially true when you’re lighting up and regulating the temperature of a large commercial building. Whether you’re ready to reduce your carbon footprint or cut your spending, the following are eight ways to make your property more efficient.
1. Install Smart Building Technologies
Smart building technologies simplify and track efficiency upgrades by converging them into one IT-managed infrastructure. Among the first and most important of these is a smart thermostat. These devices constantly collect data on resident behaviors, weather conditions, occupancy, and more. Although you can program a smart thermostat to make temperature changes according to your preferred schedule, this device will become increasingly adept at adjusting itself.
Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi-enabled. Building owners, managers, and other approved parties can access and adjust these appliances via branded apps.
The data that your smart thermostat collects can help you make informed decisions about new investments, energy upgrades, and building management. You can use your smart thermostat’s app to generate reports that show how your energy use has changed over time, hours of peak HVAC use, and the history of temperature adjustments. Other smart building technologies to consider include smart lights, smart window treatments, and smart lunchroom appliances.
2. Upgrade Your Windows
If you haven’t replaced your windows in a while, much of the heated or cooled air that your HVAC system produces could be escaping outdoors. New windows will enhance the curbside appeal of your property and brighten up the building interior. If you currently have leaky, condensation-covered windows, making this improvement will also protect your drywall, flooring, baseboards, and windowsills.
3. Diligently Maintain Your HVAC System
There are few better ways to reduce your carbon footprint than by taking good care of the heating and cooling equipment you have installed. As per the United States Department of Energy (DOE), HVAC use accounts for about 32% of the average commercial property owner’s energy bill.
Poorly maintained heaters and air conditioners have to work harder and use more energy. Build-ups of dust, dirt, pollen, and other debris obstruct airflow, increase indoor humidity, and lead to longer heating and cooling cycles. You should have your heater and air conditioner serviced annually and just before their most active seasons.
4. Take Advantage of Natural Light
Creating an open, airy, sunlit workspace can have a positive impact on your employees’ morale and moods. It can also help you lower your light bill by making you less reliant on electrically powered light fixtures. Investing in smart blinds is a great way to accomplish this. You can program these window treatments to open and close according to the weather, the time of day, scheduled activities, and other factors. You can even strategically open and close your blinds to minimize or leverage solar heat gains.
5. Schedule Regular Roofing Maintenance
Commercial roofing serves four vital functions. It’s an important architectural feature that adds curbside appeal. It protects the building interior from wind, rain, UV rays, and other elements. It hosts roof-mounted equipment, and it also keeps heat from escaping during winter or entering the building in summer.
Taking good care of your roof is key for minimizing your energy bills and your carbon footprint. Have your commercial property’s roof professionally inspected and maintained each year. You should also schedule timely storm damage repairs after any major, severe weather event.
6. Consider EPDM Roofing
Choosing the right roofing type is also essential. Derived from oil and natural gas, ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) roofing is incredibly durable, fire-resistant, and efficient. Perfect for low-sloped roofs, EPDM remains stable at all temperature extremes and is highly resistant to weather-related wear. This roofing will keep your conditioned air trapped inside while blocking out solar heat in summer.
7. Invest in PVC Roofing
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) roofing is another highly efficient roofing choice for commercial facilities. This all-white, single-ply membrane reflects the sun’s heat instead of absorbing it. It’s also sufficiently thick for keeping heat trapped inside during the winter months when the outdoor temperature plummets.
8. Have Your Facility Fitted With a TPO Roof
Like PVC roofing, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing is a single-ply, all-white membrane that reflects the sun’s heat. Choosing TPO for a flat or low-sloped roof will keep your energy bills low and give you enduring value. TPO roofs have nearly four times the seam strength of EPDM roofs and they’re also highly resistant to perforations, punctures, and other impact-related damages.
We proudly serve Boston, MA, and the surrounding cities. We provide top-notch commercial roofing services. We also offer historical roofing, gutter installation, and an expansive range of residential roofing services. If you’re ready to improve the efficiency of your commercial building, we’re the company to call for EPDM, TPO, and PVC roofing. To schedule an appointment, contact Aspen Roofing today!
