Heating & Cooling Guide

Use heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment efficiently to save as much as 30% on your total energy bill and to extend the life of your equipment. Collectively, HVAC improvements can also add up to significant CO₂ emission reductions.

Check out our tips as you or your energy manager, develop a cost-effective heating and cooling plan.

	Hire an Energy Manager Business owners and building managers may recognize energy-saving opportunities in their facilities but often lack the time or the skills needed to deliver on them. The solution for an ever-growing number of organizations is to hire an energy manager.
	Optimize Heating and Cooling Systems During winter (heating season), heat your building to a maximum of 21°C when occupied, 16°C when unoccupied. Heating and cooling set points must be set 2 to 3°C apart so that the air conditioner does not cycle (turn on and off) frequently.
	Minimize Heat Loss and Gain Heat loss through roofs, windows and open doors in a poorly-designed and insulated building adds to heating bills and can make it hard to deliver consistently comfortable temperature levels.
	Shut down equipment when not needed Turning off equipment when not required and turning off heating pumps during warm weather can help make your office more energy efficient.
	Only heat and cool spaces where necessary Reducing heating and cooling in spaces that are not used for long periods like stairwells and unused spaces and turning off fans when the building is unoccupied can increase energy savings for your building.
	Keep all HVAC components clean Keeping your heating and cooling equipment clean will help maintain the energy efficiency of your HVAC systems.
	Inspect all HVAC components and fix if necessary Maintaining your heating and cooling components in good repair will increase the energy efficiency of your HVAC systems.
	Adjust controls to energy-efficient, comfortable levels By using an adjustable energy management system, you can reduce building energy consumption at night and weekends when the building is not occupied.
	Implement an employee energy conservation awareness program Engaging your employees in energy conservation and changing workplace behaviour are the most important steps you can take to enhance efficiency and save costs.

Last Modified: Jul 24, 2009