Energy-Saving Tips for Businesses
Energy-Saving Tips for Businesses In This Time of Pandemic
Meralco is constantly finding ways for you to save on your monthly energy expenditures -- so you can regain your momentum back and pick up where you left off.
By Meralco Power Club
Published April 11, 2022
How do you expect to win a game when the rules keep changing every time you make a move?
With regulations in constant flux, it’s always been an uphill battle. If your business is struggling to work out the impact of fluctuating allowable onsite operation capacities, practicing energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) measures could be the (LED) light at the end of the tunnel.
That’s why, and in accordance with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation law (R.A. 11285), Meralco is constantly finding ways for you to save on your monthly energy expenditures -- so you can regain your momentum back and pick up where you left off.
What is the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Law (R.A. 11285)?
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Law is a set of rules and regulations set by the Philippine Government incentivizing the efficient and sustainable operations of businesses. Energy audits are to be done by Designated Establishments (DEs) to ensure that energy is used responsibly, with each and every kilowatt hour (kWh) being maximized and not put to waste.
Your respective Energy Conservation Officer or Energy Manager may explore the benefits of tagging the services of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) for fiscal incentives of your EE projects to further your business profitability.
Get an in-depth look at how this law can affect your business.
Now, let’s get down to the business of energy saving with these tips:
1. Move Energy-Intensive Operations to Off-Peak Hours.
Go against the flow! When everyone else is on break, take advantage of the off-peak hours! Demand for electricity is lower than usual during this timeframe. Plants require less electricity to operate vs peak hours, resulting in lower overall costs required to generate electricity.
Take time to review your operations and see how you can relegate certain energy-intensive activities to the off-peak hours. Better rates await with our Peak-Off Peak program – Learn more about it here.
2. Switch to LED.
Consider using LED lights and lamps at offices, warehouses, and production areas. Although they cost more than incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), you save 87% on energy costs vs. incandescent bulbs and 50% vs CFLs. LEDs also last 5 times longer.
Check out how this learning institution was able to increase their savings with the proper use of lights and air conditioners.
3. Find the Right Temperature For Your Offices and Equipment.
For offices, though the usual advice is to keep the thermostat at 25 Degrees Celsius, keep in mind that maximizing employee productivity should also be a priority. Note that you can save 5% to 8% in energy costs for every one degree setback in your thermostat setting, according to Meralco Power Lab tests.
Freezers or chillers, on the other hand, have different temperature set-point requirements.
In industrial settings, cooling processes play an even bigger role in determining on-site productivity. Larger machines tend to produce a lot of heat. That heat must be allowed to circulate, dissipate, or leave via exhaust. Use a cooling tower, if necessary, to facilitate much needed drafts that discharge any excess heat. If left unmanaged, mechanical damage, weathering, and even costlier repairs will definitely stifle operability and profitability in the future.
4. Mind Your HVAC Filters.
Based on Meralco Power Lab tests done on a 1.0 window-type aircon at mid setting on for 8 hours/night, an unclean filter will cost you an additional P351 per month. That’s ONE small 1.0 window type cooling one bedroom. Now scale that to your office space, with its multiple wall mounted airconditioning system. The additional spend will be exponential if you don’t do anything about it.
Clean air filters will definitely help you filter out the unnecessary spend from added electricity usage and untimely repairs. Regular maintenance will also extend your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system’s lifespan and reduce your carbon footprint, too.
Learn more about maintaining your HVAC here.
5. Take care of your HVAC and it’ll take care of you.
Apart from incurring additional costs, neglected HVAC systems are also conducive to mold build up. Remember to strictly adhere to your AC units’ prescribed maintenance schedule. Don’t forget to check for anomalies in the operating trend in your chiller and cooling tower operations via your Building Management System or BMS. Shutdown and service dates must be scheduled ahead of time.
Learn more about how your HVAC improves indoor air quality and COVID-19 safety.
6. Maximize Efficiency with the Right Appliances.
Adjust the operation of common area lights, appliances, and more according to your production and/or office schedule. Make sure that each and every unit that requires electricity is working up to speed, and is tailor-fit to its environment. Even the smallest of defects can cause a dent in your efforts to curb electricity costs -- Be it from your office computers, the AC, or even the communal toaster.
In the case of air conditioning alone, the right horsepower matters depending on the amount of space that requires cooling.
Too much and it’ll keep turning on and off to keep the balance. Too little and it’s bound to overwork just to compensate. Either way, this can cost you up to P965 (or even more!) per month, based on our Power Lab tests.
If you need help doing an overall audit and finding tweaks that can improve your business’ cost-to-operate, contact your Relationship Manager or send us an e-mail over at corporatepartners@meralco.com.ph.
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Story originally posted on Power Club.
