When it comes to making your building more energy efficient, spend your money where it counts. You probably only have a certain amount set aside for these kinds of improvements, and it makes sense to spend it on the things that will make the biggest difference in the building’s energy footprint. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Use equipment replacements as a chance to go green.

If existing equipment like your HVAC unit or light fixtures still have life in them, most of the time it’s better to leave them in place until they need replacement, and then switch to a more energy efficient option. One notable exception is equipment that’s so old that it’s costing you a significant amount in energy costs, while a more efficient alternative would pay for itself within the short term — two years or less.

Lights are a great way to dip your toes into going greener.

Depending on the size of your building, replacing fluorescent lights in the common areas with LEDs can lead to significant energy savings. The nice thing about going this route is that you don’t have to spend the money all at once. Instead, you can make the conversion floor by floor, or in whatever other way makes sense to you.

Don’t skip HVAC system tune-ups twice a year.

In our climate, heating and cooling costs are likely the majority of your building’s energy expenditures. Even if your HVAC system is running fine, having a professional tune it a couple of times a year can help to prolong the life of the system and get every bit of performance out of it. This involves replacing the filters, calibration for the thermostat, and fine-tuning equipment sequencing.

We hope these steps will help you better allocate your budget and make your building more energy efficient this season!