Improved practices result in real savings

Being knowledgeable about energy consumption and costs is a good idea for all of us, but it’s especially so for business owners and operators. “When you renovate, acquire, or set up a new business, improving efficiency is a good investment opportunity,” says Stephen Dixon, owner of energy consultancy TdS Dixon Inc.

Businesses that don’t maximize the energy efficiency of equipment and facilities ignore potential savings and erode profits. In short, they’re leaving money on the table. Through its Save on Energy incentive programs, the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) is helping businesses identify their opportunities and make energy-wise investments.

Work with an experienced partner

The first step for any business interested in upgrading its equipment is to call their local hydro company or local program provider. They’ll help identify opportunities and help you apply for Save on Energy incentives. They may even help you look at historical consumption data and find patterns; evaluate your equipment and identify the most significant energy users; and benchmark your business based on square footage and other factors.

Dixon points out that some businesses chose to involve outside consultants, but many owners and operators chose to become more energy literate by speaking with their hydro distributor, he says. “They are a great source of information.”

Right-size your equipment

When it comes to heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and other motorized machinery, you need a good fit. “If you’ve upgraded your windows, added insulation or otherwise improved your building envelope, the old heating, ventilation and air conditioning system could be too big for your requirements,” says Dixon. If the equipment cycles on and off frequently, that’s a sign the equipment may not be the right size.

The system could also be overworked if it’s running 24/7. That was the case at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre: certain areas of the acute-care hospital were getting too much airflow, especially at night. Working with the local hydro company Thunder Bay Hydro, the executive director of Facilities and Planning decided that if parts of the hospital were unoccupied, the air handlers could be cut back. The energy savings were immediate.

Besides saving on energy bills, “right-sizing brings unexpected benefits,” says Dixon. “There’s increased comfort, and equipment isn’t as noisy when the output is smaller.”