In the spirit of learning from each other, here are a few tips on how to reduce gas consumption in the office:
Turn off your gas boiler
Some of our competition participants have turned off their gas boilers entirely over the summer. This is the most efficient solution to bring your consumption down significantly, without impacting comfort given the outside air temperatures.
Adjust the temperature
While gas may still be required for water heating and other purposes, there’s still an opportunity, to make significant savings by adjusting the temperature. No one actually likes scorching hot water coming out of the bathroom taps, so test with occupiers how cool you can make it without impacting comfort. Even if you are heating your space at some point, try to ensure the difference between outside and inside temperatures is no more than 5 degrees.
Use a building automation system
If your building is equipped with smart thermostats, you can use them to switch off the heating and avoid overconsumption when outside temperatures are high. This will also reduce your bills, especially during peak hours when the bills can really add up.
Clear Air Vents & Change Filters (operating with gas)
Air vents aren’t the most obvious target for energy-saving measures, but they could make a difference in your building’s energy usage. According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, air vent contamination can force your heating and cooling system to work harder to maintain the temperatures you require in your building.
Asses & Fix Air Leaks
Old windows, doors, and walls are common sites for air leaks, which may contribute to high energy costs. Address them with weather stripping and calking where appropriate. Window films, insulation and reflective roof coatings may also help to reduce your energy consumption.
Purchase Energy-Saving Equipment
A longer-term solution to reduce your natural gas bill is to replace some of your equipment with more energy-efficient products. The products you replace will differ based on your budget and building.
Maintain gas-powered HVAC equipment
According to the Building Efficiency Initiative, effective HVAC maintenance can reduce your energy costs by between 5% and 40% depending on the system. Thus, whether your HVAC runs on gas or electricity, you should take advantage of this simple, yet efficient measure!