Start with how you use energy
Look at your utility bills for patterns. Heating, lighting, cooling and equipment each take a share. Knowing where the energy goes shows where to act.
A walk-through by our electrical and mechanical crews often finds easy savings such as worn seals, dirty filters or lights left on.
Common good performers
Lighting upgrades and controls, tuned heating and cooling equipment, better controls and setbacks, sealing air leaks and insulating roof and walls are well proven. Heat recovery can help in buildings with a lot of fresh air.
Compare each measure by cost, savings and effect on comfort.
Bigger projects like boilers, rooftop units or windows can pay back well, but they need careful analysis and often form part of a longer capital plan.
Timing with other work
The best moment to upgrade is when you are already doing work. Replacing a roof unit, renovating a ceiling or repainting is a chance to improve efficiency at lower marginal cost.
We plan upgrades inside a larger project so they do not need separate disruption.
Ask your landlord who benefits from savings. Some leases pass costs and savings through in different ways.
Be realistic about payback
Savings depend on rates, hours of use and the existing condition. Avoid projects whose benefits rely on optimistic assumptions. Ask for the assumptions behind any claimed saving.
Short lease terms may favour lower-cost measures.
Keep a list of ideas for later budgets, so improvements can be added when equipment reaches the end of its life.
Maintain the gains
Efficiency fades without care. Regular filter changes, calibration of controls and checks on equipment keep performance up. Our building maintenance service can help.
Questions we hear
Are there incentives?
Programs change over time. Check current utility and government offerings before you buy.
What is the first thing to do?
Review your bills and walk the building. Many gains come from simple fixes.