Reduced Energy Consumption
Heating and cooling are major expenses for commercial building operators and many rely upon automation to reduce their energy usage. It’s a good move, since experts say that automation can cut energy costs by as much as $0.40 per square foot. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting makes up a whopping 20 percent of the energy used by commercial buildings. Then there’s the expense associated with operating machinery. Automated systems can reduce these expenses by turning off, or dimming lights, and reducing the power flow to equipment when it’s appropriate. In fact, the DOE estimates overall savings, on average, of 15 percent with automation.
Decreased Maintenance Costs
Maintenance and repairs are a fact of life for commercial building owners. Not only are they important for the proper operation of equipment, they also reduce downtime and improve productivity. However, companies must work diligently to manage these costs to realize improved profit margins. This can be accomplished by automatically shutting down equipment during non-peak hours, turning off or dimming lights, and adjusting thermostats and other controls for HVAC systems minimizes maintenance and repairs which decreases the cost of maintenance staff, both of which improve a company’s bottom line.
Extended Equipment Life
Replacing an HVAC system or large piece of machinery is a massive cost, especially for a very large commercial space. These important systems often have a life expectancy of 30+ years, if well maintained. However, excessive use, such as running the air conditioning system when no one is utilizing the facility, increases wear and tear and minimizes the equipment’s useful life. Savvy owners and operators understand that replacement is sometimes necessary, however, they work to minimize the frequency of such purchases. This equates to substantial savings, and allows the company to take advantage of the full depreciation of these assets.
If you would like to learn more about how your company can improve its profit margins with commercial building automation, please contact us. We will be more than happy to discuss your current systems, and we’ll work with you to develop a system that benefits you, your employees and your customers in the long run.