Government and public facilities play a crucial role in setting the standard for energy efficiency and sustainability within communities. By adopting energy-efficient practices, these institutions can significantly reduce operational costs, minimize environmental impact, and demonstrate a commitment to responsible resource management.
In this blog, we will explore a range of practical tips and strategies that government and public facilities can implement to enhance their energy efficiency. From upgrading infrastructure to leveraging renewable energy sources, these steps will foster a greener environment and create long-term economic benefits for public sector organizations.
Conduct an Energy Audit
Municipalities, local governments, city planning departments, and county and public facilities all have significant opportunities to improve energy efficiency. The first step in saving energy is to explore your current energy use.
Conducting an energy audit is a valuable way to understand how your facility consumes energy and identify areas for improvement. This assessment helps pinpoint where energy is wasted and provides a roadmap for enhancement. Consider hiring an energy consultant or utility company to perform the audit or use online tools that offer guidance on conducting a DIY audit.
If you have a county or public facility, adding submeters will allow you to see where you are using the most energy and can yield energy savings of up to 20% for your municipality facility.
Maintain HVAC Systems
Remember to change the filters on your furnace or air conditioning unit every month, especially if you use the system frequently. Regularly replacing the filters ensures that your HVAC system runs efficiently, saving you money on energy costs in the long run.
Additionally, it’s important to keep your HVAC vents open. Avoid closing off vents and doors to rooms with vents whenever possible. When vents are closed, or doors are shut, it forces your heating or cooling system to work harder, leading to increased energy consumption and potentially higher utility bills.
Upgrade Your Lighting
Did you know that new LED lights can last 50,000 to 100,000 hours or more, whereas the typical lifespan for an incandescent bulb is only 1-5% as long? Depending on the size of your municipality, government, county, or public facility, lighting can account for a considerable chunk of your energy bill. Switching to LEDs can cut your building’s wattage consumption by hundreds or even thousands.
When upgrading to LEDs, take it a step further by installing motion switches in rooms not frequently used, like bathrooms, conference rooms, and more. These switches can be set to keep the lights on for up to 20 minutes, so no one is left in the dark!
Choose Natural Gas
If the option is available, natural gas is the clear choice for fueling your government or public facility. Natural gas is affordable and typically costs much less than propane or oil heating, and prices are expected to remain inexpensive well into the next several decades. Plus, natural gas is the cleanest burning fuel option and emits fewer greenhouse gases than oil or propane.
Choosing natural gas is also predictable. Our fixed-rate pricing plan allows you to predict your monthly heating costs compared to the fluctuating costs of oil or propane (although we also offer the option of variable pricing).
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) are great options for fueling government fleet vehicles since natural gas is less expensive than gasoline and diesel, cleaner than fossil fuels, safe, and abundant in America (Pennsylvania is now a leading producer of natural gas thanks to a huge deposit of shale gas directly under the state).
Get the Team Involved
As government employees, your team should set an example for others by conserving energy. Educate employees about energy-saving practices and the importance of energy efficiency to encourage a culture of sustainability within the organization.
Create an employee challenge where everyone is encouraged to take ownership in reducing their energy consumption for a month. Offer prizes to motivate participation. This fun competition could involve multiple different departments or buildings.
Explore Long-Term Solutions
Government facilities should consider investing in energy infrastructure projects that prioritize renewable energy sources like solar power. By doing so, these facilities can be an example of environmental responsibility to their communities. By implementing these kinds of initiatives, government facilities can not only significantly reduce long-term energy expenses but also make a positive impact on the environment.
By implementing these tips, your government or public facility can achieve significant energy savings, reduce its carbon footprint, and set an example for the community in sustainable practices. If you’re looking for additional energy-saving tips for your government or public facility, download our Commercial Energy Guide or contact the experts at UGI EnergyLink today!