Top 5 Ways to Get to True Energy Savings & BuildingSustainability bosscontrols.com /top-5-ways-get-true-energy-savings-building-sustainability/

Today’s commercial buildings are feeling the pressure to implement sustainable processes and get on thepath toward true energy savings.

In fact, buildings consume the most energy in the country. Even when buildings are empty – which isabout 72% of the time – they continue to use energy. Think about how that shrinks your budget. Poweringthese facilities is costing billions of dollars every year.

With numbers like those, it’s no wonder facility managers and management teams are looking for ways totighten up their consumption and find true energy savings. Where there are electricity and energy savings,there are considerable cost savings.

To start truly saving in your facility, start with these 5 steps. [Tweet this.]

1. Turn Off Electrical Devices When Not In Use

Because your building is continuing to suck up energy, even when no one is around, the first thing youmust do is turn off electrical devices. Get into the habit of turning off electrical devices when they’re not inuse.

This doesn’t just mean shut off the lights when you leave the building. Think bigger. Take all your officeequipment into consideration.

1. Implement Intelligent Energy Controls

If the thought of powering down and unplugging every piece of equipment at closing time was a bitdaunting, have no fear. Luckily, energy efficiency controls do just that for you without all the hassle.

For example, BOSS Smart Plugs use smart software called Atmospheres™ to automatically turn off plugloads. The software even allows you to monitor and control every plug load in your facility remotely from atablet, smart phone or computer. With that kind of control at your fingertips, you can turn your plug loads onor off at any time. You can set them on a schedule to turn off at night and power back up before the start ofbusiness.

Smart plug load controls like BOSS Smart Plugs ensure that your building isn’t wasting energy whennobody’s around to use it, which guarantees upwards of 30% in annual electricity savings. [Tweet this.]

1. Utilize Energy Efficient Products

Lighting, cooling, and heating are the primary uses of energy in your building. Advances in producttechnologies have resulted in dramatic reductions in the amount of energy utilized. For example, CFLs andLEDs have significant reductions in energy consumption compared to incandescent lights, with an addedbenefit of longer life and lower maintenance costs.Implementing equipment upgrades with energy efficientproducts reduces your energy and operating costs. Depending upon your electric utility provider, you maybe able to obtain utility incentives or on-bill financing to reduce your out of pocket costs.

1. Utilize Decentralized Power orMicro-grids

With decentralized or distributed power systems,electricity is made close to where it’s needed,rather than at large, faraway plants. Since thedistance the energy must travel is shorter, thereare less transmission losses and less carbonemissions. Plus, the price is extremely competitivecompared to traditional energy. By implementingonsite power generation (e.g., via combinedheat/power systems, solar, etc.) your facility cangain significant operating benefits.

A micro-grid connects buildings to traditional powersources. However, a micro-grid is capable ofbreaking off of that larger power grid and operatingon its own. Micro-grids are better equipped tohandle loads of energy without unnecessarylosses. When utilizing onsite power generation, consider whether a micro-grid approach makes sensegiven your business continuity needs and the likelihood of an extended outage such as a hurricane.

1. Find a Power Balance

Every building is different, so you need to find which balance between utilizing local clean powergeneration or a 100% utility generated. Find what works best for your facility based on your energy,sustainability, and operational needs.

1. Educate Your Workforce

Definitely get the entire team onboard! The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy says that“improving organizational energy efficiency requires commitment at all levels, from top management tomaintenance personnel, but the benefits are worth the effort.”

And it’s true. Implement energy efficiency programs and provide regular feedback on the progress ofsavings your facility sees. If you embed energy efficiency practices into the culture of your team, you’ll seebetter results.

Questions About Energy Savings Solutions? BOSS Can Help.

BOSS helps to make buildings more efficient and sustainable every day. We want to help you intelligentlyconsume energy.

Business owners and facility operations teams trust us to deliver next generation, intelligent energymanagement. They appreciate our growing product line, innovation, and our continuing commitment tobringing energy-smart, green and environmental solutions to market. We are motivated by creatingsavings and turning off devices.

With a customer-centered approach, we are working for you, the business owner. That’s our commitmentto bringing the 21st Century electric grid to the marketplace. It all starts with smart buildings. Contact us

today.