> By: The Cooling Company
Key Takeaways
- Fix BAS schedules and lockouts to remove stuck overrides.
- Install LEDs and occupancy sensors for fast payback.
- Add submeters for HVAC and major plug loads.
- Use RCx to find control and sequencing faults.
Start with low-cost fixes like LED lighting, BAS schedule tuning, and occupancy sensors. Measure baseline energy and track savings with submeters and benchmarks. These steps cut wasted runtime and peak demand now. Use early wins to fund retro-commissioning and larger HVAC upgrades later for steady cost reduction. (ASHRAE Technical Resources)
Where should managers start to cut energy now?
Start with a Level 1 walk-through audit and basic benchmarking to get a clear baseline. Walk every floor, note operating hours, and record obvious waste such as lights left on, thermostats in override, and HVAC zones that never shut off. This low-cost inspection identifies simple fixes and shapes the scope for a Level 2 audit where needed. Benchmarking shows whether your building performs worse than peers and points to the systems that need the most attention.
After the walk-through, prioritize controls and lighting as early actions. Tune BAS schedules, add setbacks, and eliminate overnight runtime that does not support operations. Replace inefficient lamps with LEDs and add occupancy sensors and daylight dimming. These measures are low disruption and usually pay back quickly. Short-term metering on suspect systems helps quantify savings and justify funding for the next projects.
Which lighting upgrades yield fastest payback?
Replace T8, T12, or HID fixtures with LED lamps or fixtures to cut lighting energy by 50 to 75 percent in many office settings. Choose lamps with appropriate lumens and color temperature to keep occupant comfort. When hours of use are high, the financial payback is fastest. Consider incentives that may further speed payback.
For some spaces, full fixture retrofits provide better light distribution and dimming compatibility than drop-in kits. Pair LED upgrades with occupancy and daylight controls; combined measures reduce run hours and increase savings. Track lighting run hours before and after to quantify the impact.
How can occupancy sensors reduce hours of use?
Install passive infrared (PIR) or ultrasonic sensors in private offices, restrooms, and storage areas first. Sensors automatically turn lights and some ventilation down when rooms are empty. In open-plan areas, use zoned or networked sensors so only inactive zones are dark, preserving comfort and security. Test placement to prevent false triggers and provide manual override for special tasks.
Measure run hours before and after sensor installs to prove savings to owners and tenants. In many offices, sensors pay back in under two years. Use sensor setbacks for HVAC controls where possible to reduce ventilation runtime in unoccupied rooms.
What controls fix after-hours HVAC waste?
Audit the building automation system for stuck overrides, incorrect holiday calendars, and zones that ignore setbacks. Identify points where manual overrides leave systems running after hours. Correct these faults, implement time-of-day setbacks, and add BAS alarms for stuck dampers and failed sensors.
Small control fixes often cut HVAC energy ten to twenty percent without new equipment. Lock out common override points or require supervisor approval for long overrides. Training operators on proper override procedures reduces the chance that systems remain on unnecessarily.
How to set thermostats for shoulder seasons?
Use wider deadbands and staged setpoints in spring and fall to avoid short cycling and reduce compressor starts. Allow setpoints to shift two to four degrees during unoccupied hours to lower runtime. Where outdoor air is favorable, use economizers or free cooling to avoid compressor use and save energy.
Test changes on a sample of floors for a month and monitor comfort complaints closely. Lock thermostat settings where tenant overrides are common or provide a supervised override procedure. Adjust setpoints based on measured comfort and performance to keep tenants satisfied while limiting energy use.
Which upgrades give the highest ROI?
Target measures that provide reliable, quick savings and cause little disruption. LED lighting with controls, VFDs on large fans and pumps, and retro-commissioning typically top ROI lists for office buildings. These projects often need modest capital and show clear measured savings. Investing in these measures early improves the economics of later, larger investments.
Consider major equipment replacement - like chillers or boilers - when systems are old, inefficient, or unreliable. Large replacements can yield big savings, but only if done with proper sizing and control upgrades. Always fix control and envelope issues first to avoid oversizing new equipment and wasting upfront capital.
When should you replace an aging HVAC unit?
Replace an HVAC unit when efficiency has dropped, repairs are frequent, and parts are costly or unavailable. If runtime is high and downtime affects tenants, a new unit may pay back in four to ten years depending on use and incentives. Check refrigerant regulations for phased-out gases and plan for compliant replacements.
Before replacing equipment, tune controls and confirm envelope performance. Retro-commissioning can reveal control faults that make equipment seem less efficient than it really is. Only after controls and sizing issues are resolved should you finalize replacement specifications.
How much can VFDs cut motor energy?
Install variable frequency drives on large constant-speed fans and pumps to match motor speed to actual load. On systems that spend significant time at partial load, VFDs can reduce motor energy twenty to fifty percent. Savings depend on duty cycle and system design. The biggest gains come from oversized or always-running motors.
Combine VFDs with proper duct and pump tuning to avoid creating new inefficiencies. Use soft-start functionality and motor protection to extend motor life. Plan for measurement and verification after installation to confirm savings and support incentive claims.
Which lighting retrofits beat simple swaps?
Full fixture retrofits improve glare control, light distribution, and integrated controls compared with simple lamp swaps in some settings. If layout changes or aging fixtures cause visual problems, fixture replacement gives a longer-term solution. Ensure drivers and controls support dimming, daylighting, and fault detection so lighting lasts longer and integrates with your BAS.
Choose products with reliable warranties and compatible dimming protocols. Future-proof lighting by selecting drivers that report failures and support networked control where possible. That reduces maintenance costs and keeps light quality high.
What savings expect from high-efficiency chillers?
High-efficiency chiller upgrades can reduce cooling energy ten to thirty percent, depending on system age and operating strategy. Buildings with long cooling seasons see larger absolute savings. Adding VFDs on chilled water pumps and condenser fans often further increases savings. Sequence multi-chiller plants to operate the most efficient units first and avoid frequent cycling.
Include performance guarantees and a clear M&V plan in chiller replacement contracts to ensure expected savings are realized. Weather-normalized pre/post analysis helps prove the value of the upgrade to stakeholders and utilities.
How to prioritize low-cost high-impact measures?
Prioritize projects that reduce HVAC runtime, lower monthly peak demand, and maintain occupant comfort. Start with LED swaps, BAS schedule fixes, and occupancy sensors. These steps cost little, reduce runtime, and show measurable savings quickly. Use those early wins to fund higher-capex upgrades like VFDs, submeters, and chiller work.
Sequence projects so control fixes occur before large equipment replacements. Fixing schedules and sequencing first prevents replacing equipment that appears oversized only because control faults caused extra runtime. Use utility incentives and phased CAPEX to spread cost and reduce payback periods.
What measures deliver fastest payback?
LED lighting, occupancy controls, and simple BAS fixes typically return investment fastest. These measures lower immediate waste and do not require long shutdowns. When hours of use are high, lighting upgrades can pay back in one to three years. Occupancy sensors and schedule corrections commonly pay back within two years.
Track savings and use early results to fund mid-capex items. An early performance record improves stakeholder confidence and helps secure approvals for more complex projects.
How to rank lighting versus HVAC projects?
Compare dollar savings per dollar invested to identify the best next project. If lighting makes up a large share of your site energy, upgrade lighting first. If HVAC control faults drive major loads and peak demand, focus on controls and HVAC. Short-term metering and benchmarking provide the measured data needed to avoid biased choices.
Make decisions on measured returns rather than perceptions. Use simple payback and net present value where relevant, and show transparent assumptions to owners and tenants.
What role does benchmarking play?
Benchmarking shows building performance versus peers and tracks trends over time. Use ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager or a similar tool to set a performance baseline and targets. Benchmarking helps qualify for incentives, sets clear goals, and guides priorities.
Share benchmark results with tenants and stakeholders to build buy-in. Monthly or quarterly tracking highlights regressions early and keeps teams focused on persistence of savings.
What incentives or rebates reduce cost?
Local utilities, state programs, and some federal programs offer rebates for lighting, HVAC controls, VFDs, and retro-commissioning. Rebates vary by region and project type. Many programs will also fund a portion of RCx or provide incentives tied to measured savings.
Work with contractors who know local incentive rules and can handle applications. Rebates often shorten paybacks significantly and improve project economics. Check with your utility account manager before finalizing equipment choices.
How to measure and verify savings?
Use accepted measurement and verification (M&V) protocols for major projects and keep interval data to show persistence. The International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) gives options for meter-based, estimate-based, and sampling approaches. Choose the method that matches project size and risk tolerance.
Combine pre/post metering with weather normalization to compare apples to apples. Keep raw interval data for at least a year after major projects to support incentive claims and to detect performance drift early. Simple spreadsheets can work for small projects; use analytics platforms for larger portfolios.
Which meters help pinpoint savings?
Install submeters on HVAC plants, lighting circuits, and major plug loads to isolate large uses. Circuit-level meters reveal problem areas quickly. Temperature, flow, and pressure sensors on chilled and hot water loops help diagnose plant performance and inefficiencies.
Use portable logging meters for short-term diagnostic work before investing in permanent submeters. Short-term tests can reveal runtime patterns and peaks that guide project selection and sizing.
How does interval data inform actions?
Fifteen-minute interval data highlights night runs, start-up spikes, and cycling that hourly or monthly data hides. Plot intervals to find where systems run when they should be off. Use interval patterns to tune BAS schedules and set alarms for anomalies.
Interval data also helps size VFDs, detect oversized equipment, and spot increasing trends that indicate maintenance needs. Regular review prevents drift and keeps savings real over time.
What is persistence testing for projects?
Persistence testing checks whether measured savings hold months after installation. Re-measure key KPIs at six and twelve months to confirm performance. If savings decline, address control drift, faulty sensors, or operational changes that reversed gains.
Include persistence checks in incentive applications and contracts to ensure long-term benefits. Use the findings to adjust maintenance plans and operator procedures to lock in savings.
How to engage tenants and staff?
Communicate goals, share benchmarks, and give simple, actionable steps tenants and staff can follow. Behavior and coordination often determine whether technical fixes persist. Align janitorial, security, and tenant schedules with HVAC and lighting operations to prevent conflicts like cleaning crews forcing HVAC on overnight.
Offer clear policies and training for common behaviors that create waste. Visible metrics and short updates help tenants see progress. Involving tenants early reduces complaints and increases the likelihood that savings stick.
What tenant policies reduce plug loads?
Require powering down monitors and chargers overnight and in unused areas. Provide smart power strips and shared charging stations to limit phantom loads. Include simple plug-load rules in tenant handbooks and fit-out guides so tenants know expectations from day one.
Measure plug loads before and after policy rollout to show impact. Typical reductions from targeted plug-load policies range from ten to twenty-five percent in many office spaces.
How to run a staff energy awareness campaign?
Create short training sessions, posters, and monthly email tips that show simple actions and the building-level impact. Use contests or small rewards to encourage power-down habits and quick wins. Share energy data so the results are tangible and repeat messages to build long-term behavior change.
Keep campaigns short, focused, and repeated seasonally. Behavior change takes reminders and visible targets to stick across teams.
What signage or nudges improve behavior?
Place reminders at light switches and near shared equipment to prompt power-downs. Use short, actionable stickers with steps like "Turn off when you leave" or target setpoint reminders at thermostats. Combine physical signs with digital nudges in tenant portals for broader reach.
Design nudges to be simple, clear, and visible. Small visual cues are low-cost and often change habits quickly when combined with data feedback.
Start saving: next steps and resources
Begin with a Level 1 walk-through and benchmark performance in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Short-term metering will identify the biggest wins and support incentive applications. Scope LED and BAS fixes first as phase one and use savings plus rebates to fund mid-capex projects and retro-commissioning in phase two. Document measurement plans and define KPIs for each phase so stakeholders can track progress.
If you need local support, pick contractors with BAS and RCx experience. If you are in Las Vegas, call The Cooling Company at 17029308411 to schedule a building walk-through, LED retrofit, or BAS tune-up. The Cooling Company serves Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas and offers experienced crews for BAS tuning and retro-commissioning. If you are outside this area, ask contractors for NATE-certified technicians and proven BAS, RCx, and M&V experience.
Related reading: what to explore next?
Expand your knowledge with these related guides from our experts. Each article provides in-depth information to help you make informed decisions about your HVAC system and home comfort needs.
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