Energy is a precious resource and an expensive one at that. There is a reason that so many businesses across every sector are looking for ways to adopt sustainability practices, and it doesn’t just have to do with optics. At least when it comes to energy usage, there is a clear financial benefit to becoming more sustainable. The question is, how can businesses use less energy without sacrificing things that are crucial to their day-to-day operations?
The Cost of Heating and Cooling
In the United States, consider that the average office building spends more than $30,000 a year on energy costs, which breaks down to electricity and natural gas. That figure is roughly a third of the operating expenses budget for most office buildings. Heating and cooling account for approximately 21 percent of electricity use in these buildings, and for about 86 percent of natural gas usage.
In restaurants, energy usage looks slightly different. In most cases, cooking accounts for the most substantial energy use. However, in the United States, heating and cooling can still account for between 11 and 23 percent of the average restaurant’s energy consumption, depending on climate zone.
In other words, heating and cooling add up for businesses, both regarding energy use and spending. One of the best ways for businesses to cut down on their energy consumption and start saving money is to look for ways to cut back on heating or cooling.
Reducing Energy Usage for Temperature Control
Of course, turning off the air conditioning isn’t an option. In the summertime, air conditioning might be part of the draw for a restaurant, and it might be the only thing keeping an office staff productive. Having the AC on to cool the building is worth more than what most businesses would save by turning it off.
Still, there are other things that businesses can do to reduce the amount of energy they are using on temperature control. The first areas where most business owners look are typically insulation (installing more or replacing an old design) or the HVAC system itself (replacing or servicing components). However, there might be an even easier way: air doors.
Installing air doors at the entrances and exits to an establishment—especially a restaurant or retail store, where people enter and leave often—can do wonders to reduce energy consumption and spending.
Think of it this way: when a door is left open during the summer, or when people are going in and out every few minutes, there are several opportunities for hot air enter your building. That warm air gradually warms the space, which in turn pushes your air conditioning system to work harder to maintain the temperature you’ve set on your thermostat. The extra strain on the system leads to higher energy usage and higher bills.
Air doors act as a barrier that prevents the usual heat transfer that happens at doorways. As such, they are an effective way of controlling interior temperature, reducing strain on the HVAC system, and cutting down on energy usage and spending.
At Air Door Distributors, we can help you find the right air door(s) for your business so that you can start reaping the energy and monetary savings these installations can provide. Give us a call today to start shopping!
