Building energy efficiency refers to the point of balance between the energy actually consumed (useful energy) and the energy expended by the buildings themselves to ensure their operation. Seeking to improve energy efficiency means reducing the difference in level between the useful energy that the building produces and the energy it absorbs.
The challenge of energy efficiency is therefore to consume less energy, but also to consume better. For companies in the industrial and commercial sectors in particular, energy efficiency in buildings is becoming a criteria for their competitiveness.
So what can be done to improve a building’s energy efficiency?
Measure your energy consumption in order to define goals for improving your energy efficiency.
Measuring your energy consumption is the first step in the process of improving the energy efficiency of your buildings. Without indicators, it would be difficult to identify what needs to be improved…
The data resulting from the measurement of your energy consumption allows you to set achievable targets, in accordance with your optimization project and the nature of the building concerned. At completion of the actions to optimize your building energy efficiency, you will be able to consult them to know if your targets have been achieved or not.
Of course, the measurement of energy consumption does not stop at a number of KWh in the case of electricity consumption for example. It is also a question of understanding which are the most energy-consuming elements, those on which optimization can be the most important.
Adopt consumption display solutions
Reducing energy expenses requires a change in energy-related uses. In a professional environment, the simple fact of putting energy consumption display solutions in everyone’s sight is beneficial.
Over a defined period of time, the display of consumption data allows you to identify areas for improvement related to the behavior of building occupants, bad habits that can lead to energy waste, or flaws in your energy contracts.
Integrate renewable energies to improve your energy efficiency
The integration of renewable energies is not a mandatory step in optimizing the energy efficiency of buildings. However, it is proving to be a sustainable solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions as part of an energy transition process.
Renewable energies can produce more energy than the building and its occupants consume. All or part of the energy required, for example heating, can come from its energy sources. The ratio between energy produced and energy consumed is reduced, and energy efficiency is therefore improved.
Focus on active energy efficiency
Active energy efficiency is defined as a stability between energy consumption and energy expense achieved through automation, regulation and measurement of energy. It is in opposition to passive energy efficiency, which in turn refers to the structure of the building itself and its equipment.
Aiming for active energy efficiency is more promising in the sense that the actions implemented are part of a long-term approach and do not involve any building renovation.
These may include BMS actions, monitoring of climate systems, constant analysis of energy consumption data, installation of intelligent sensors, or regular maintenance and monitoring actions.
The Optimzen solution is perfectly adapted if you wish to initiate a process of improving the energy efficiency of your building without having to perform renovation or insulation work.
By using a building management system
The implementation of technical management systems in the building sector is increasingly recommended as part of improving the energy efficiency of residential buildings. This can vary from the installation of a simple thermostat to a more complex and structured energy management system.
The BMS (Building Management System) allows the centralization and analysis of all the building’s energy data in order to control the energy consumed on a day-to-day basis. As a long term solution, BMS allows you to reduce your energy consumption and therefore your bills and to improve the comfort of your occupants. All of this is beneficial to improve your energy efficiency and to place your company in an ecological transition perspective.