Five Hidden Sources of Energy Loss

Potential sources of energy loss are often hidden. Did you know leaks from ductwork and steam traps can waste energy? In addition, improperly tuned building controls can increase your heating and cooling costs.

Here are five sources of energy loss:

1. 1. Duct System: Leaky ducts can lead to higher heating and cooling costs. While some leaks are easy to locate, testing systems can help to identify the extent of system leakage by finding hidden leaks.
2. 
   
3. 2. Building Controls: Controls are designed to save energy. However, it is important to inspect and adjust building controls regularly to account for changes in building occupancy, seasonal changes, and to ensure that sensors and controls are integrated properly. A well-tuned building control system can save up to 30 percent on heating and cooling costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.  
4. 
   
5. 3. Steam Traps: Industrial plants and many commercial facilities use steam for process and space heating. In steam systems that are not maintained regularly, up to 30 percent of steam traps may have failed, wasting energy by allowing live steam to escape.
6. 
   
7. 4. Transformers: Distribution transformers reduce high-voltage power line electricity to the lower voltages needed for the electrical equipment in your facility. Transformers lose energy by being energized 24 hours per day, 365 days per year to serve a varying load.
8. 
   
9. 5. Personal appliances: Discourage the use of personal appliances such as space heaters by maintaining building temperatures at a comfortable range of 68°F to 78°F.
10. 
    

Reduce your operating costs and improve overall efficiency by uncovering these energy losses. Read the entire article by visiting Duke Energy.

Tips On Preparing Your Building For The Cooler Weather

You survived the grueling hot summer, but are you ready for the winter?  As the fall colors begin to show, now is the time to prepare your buildings for the impending colder weather.  A few areas to think about as we head into winter would include the following:

• Perform a mechanical inspection on the heating equipment.  Is your equipment ready to safely and efficiently run throughout the winter?
• Adjust or install timers or sensors to meet the changing daylight times.  Make certain outside lights are set up for the shorter periods of daylight in order to provide safety lighting for your employees and customers.
• Check all outside wall hydrants and fixtures that need to be shut down or adjusted in order to avoid freezing that could lead to broken pipes and damage to your building. This includes removing all garden hoses from the fixtures.
• Install snow and ice melting equipment. There were numerous companies affected by snow and ice damage last year.  Avoid costly repairs by updating rooftops, downspouts and gutters before the problems begin.

Winter will be here before you know it.  Now is the time to contact Stroh Corporation to prepare your facility for winter. Call to set up an inspection today at 800-243-8177.

Kick Your Building Into Shape By Reducing Energy Consumption

As the EPA kicks off the 2011 Energy Star National Buildings Competition, now is the perfect time to kick your building into shape. One of the largest areas you can reduce waste and save money is on energy consumption.

Before you get started, it is important to understand how your building is currently using energy. There are three things you should know about your building's energy use:

1.       How much energy does your building consume in a year and how much does it cost you?

2.       How does this compare to other similar buildings?

3.       What opportunity is there to improve the energy efficiency of your building and save you money?

Stroh Corporation has the ability to perform an Energy Benchmark on your facility.  We take a look at your past energy consumption and compare this to similar buildings across the nation.  This process takes into consideration the outdoor climate, the use of your building, and a number of other factors to calculate your Energy Benchmark Score.

We can use this information to determine how much opportunity your building has to save energy and save money.

For more information on Energy Benchmarks, contact Stroh Corporation at 800-243-8177.