Tips for Reducing Energy Use
When a Reduction Event is called, you should reduce electricity consumption as much as possible. The following list will give you an idea as to what reductions you could make and the preparation involved. For an estimate of the payments your company would receive in a PowerPay! program, fill out the Request $$$ Estimate form.
| Electricity Reduction Strategy | Preparation | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Run back-up generators, if available |
Make sure generator(s) are fully fueled & connected to as much load as practicable. |
Start generator(s) 15 minutes before Event and continue running at desired capacity for Event duration. |
| Shut down manufacturing processes, as practicable |
Determine which equipment & processes can be shut down for 1 - 4 hours upon day- ahead notice. Make sure equipment operators are aware of what to do when an Event takes place. |
Shut down any & all equipment & processes as feasible for Event period. Shift employees to other tasks or switch the time of their lunch break to coincide with Event. |
| Raise thermostat setting by 6 degrees F (summertime) |
Determine how temperatures are controlled on site. Consider announcing a relaxed dress code for days that an Event is anticipated. |
Run HVAC at a much higher level (i.e. cooler) for 2-3 hours before Event. If an energy- management system is available, reprogram it to change the set point during Event. Otherwise, manually adjust wall-mounted thermostats throughout facility. |
| Turn off 50% of the lights |
Label switches that are to be turned off during Events. Identify all areas where lighting can be reduced (in some areas, you may be able to reduce 75 - 100% & in others only 25%). |
At beginning of Event, turn off half the lights in office areas & anywhere else lighting can be reduced without disruption of normal activities. |
| Turn off lights by windows |
Label switches for lights near windows that are to be turned off during an Event. |
At beginning of Event, turn off lights near windows. |
| Reduce chiller capacity (summertime) |
Investigate options for running chiller(s) at reduced capacity. Various modes of reduction are available. Use energy management systems, if available. |
Reduce chiller capacity 25 - 50% during Event or shut down completely if possible. |
| Reduce air handler airflow |
Confirm the air handler can run at reduced speed. Use energy management system (if available) to reduce motor speed. If air handler is at constant speed but has multiple-speed taps in the motor, a control relay can be used to shift to low speed. |
Reduce airflow by 10 - 20% during Event. |
| Take 50% of elevators off duty |
Consult life-saving code for buildings with special health/safety requirements. |
Manually turn off no more than 1 out of every 2 elevators for Event duration. Place "out of service" signs on each floor. |
| Reduce exhaust & outdoor air ventilation |
Determine how outdoor air dampers are controlled. Identify any that should NOT be turned off. Consider mitigating effects by slightly increasing outdoor air ventilation before an Event. |
Reduce outdoor air intake during Event. Turn off fans that serve bathrooms, janitor's closets, conference rooms & all other non-critical spaces. DO NOT turn off exhausts or other fans that exhaust harmful contaminants. |
| Kitchen ovens/ dish Washer |
None | At time of Event, turn off all ovens, dishwashers & laundry facilities. |
| Turn off water coolers/heaters |
Identify locations of water coolers/heaters & label them so they are not turned back on during an Event. |
Unplug or shut off units during Event. |
