Facility
When thinking about energy-saving measures, it can be common to just focus on equipment and practices inside your building. But what's outside - the building envelope - can be just as fertile an area for finding OneThings.
The building envelope consists of all the elements that separate outdoor air and temperature from indoor spaces. It includes walls, windows, doors, roofs and foundation. The building envelope is critical to saving energy because it can minimize the buildup of humidity, moisture and drafts which can affect the efficiency of systems inside.
OneThing you can do is treat your building like your home. Check for and repair any leaks in seals, walls, foundation, insulation, especially around building partitions and ductwork. Install high efficiency doors and windows, whenever possible. If replacement is not possible, consider using glazing or films to improve the efficiency of windows.
Remember, efficiency is made in the shade. Techniques to improve shade can be the most cost-effective and simplest way to reduce solar radiation. Consider architectural elements like roof overhangs, fins or slats. And, of course, properly placed trees can contribute to building shading.
You might also want to look into cool roofs. These are roofs with special coatings or surfaces that reflect heat. Seems simple, but cool roofs can lower HVAC operating costs significantly. Installation is usually cost-effective and non-disruptive to operations.