Energy saving tips

• General
• Space heating
• Water heating
• Make-up air units
• Building structure

General

• Try not to open windows. If your workplace is too hot, turn the heating down. 
• Use exhaust fans only when necessary.
• Check and clean (or replace) filters regularly.
• Install thermostats and automatic timers to save on heating.
• Insulate your building to greatly reduce heat loss.
• Draft-proof windows and doors with weatherstripping.
• Use suspended ceilings to reduce heating costs and act as extra insulation.

Space heating

Boilers

• Make sure boilers and associated systems are part of the annual maintenance schedule. Ask your maintenance contractor to measure boiler efficiency at least once each year.
• Use electronic controls to operate boilers and heating pumps only when needed.
• It's critical to have your maintenance contractor check the control systems. Inadequate or incorrectly operating controls can increase your costs by 20 per cent or more. One key area for savings is night setback. Controls should be set so that general areas, offices, etc., are set back to 16° outside hours of usage.
• If your boiler is over 25-years old, it may need replacing. Installing new, high-efficiency units can reduce your natural gas usage by 30 per cent or more.
• Ensure all bare heating pipes, valves and flanges are insulated in mechanical rooms and unheated areas. Often the pipes are insulated but the valves and flanges are not and this lack of insulation can result in wasted energy.
• Insulate expansion tanks and heat exchangers.

Water heating

Tank-type heaters

• Make sure these heaters are part of the annual maintenance schedule.
• Flush the tanks yearly to maintain proper heat transfer and improve life expectancy.

Volume water heaters (domestic water boilers)

• Make sure these water heaters are part of the annual maintenance schedule. 
• To ensure proper operation, set the boiler operating control to a temperature above 65°C (150°F).

Storage tanks

• Make sure storage tanks are well insulated.

Pipes and valves

• Ensure that all hot water pipes, valves and flanges in accessible areas are insulated to reduce heat loss.

Water temperature

• Set the water temperature to 55°C (131°F). Settings above this temperature wastes energy; settings below this temperature can lead to increased bacterial growth.

Make-up air units

• Use electronic controls to operate the heating only when required.
• Set temperature controls to 16°C (61°F). This temperature is usually sufficient for corridors, stairs and hallways.
• Insulate all heating ductwork located in unheated areas.
• Ensure air filters are changed regularly to maintain proper air flow.

Building structure

Insulation

• When renovating, check insulation levels and upgrade to current standards where possible.

Windows and doors

• Draft-proof windows and doors with weather-stripping.
• Install double-glazed windows to reduce your use of natural gas. Double-glazed windows also help reduce noise levels and improve comfort levels. The payback period on this capital cost is typically 10 – 15 years.