Energy Efficiency Checklist

By improving the energy efficiency of their building, building owners and managers can find long-term financial savings while also reducing emissions, enhancing tenant comfort, and helping relax strain on the electrical grid. Use this checklist to identify opportunities for your building.

Low-Hanging Fruit: No-Cost and Low-Cost Improvements

1. Check Your Building Scheduling 

• Building Controls 
  Ensure your building controls or automation system is properly scheduled to avoid lighting and conditioning spaces when unoccupied. Check out this brief video from Slipstream for examples. 

• Programmable Thermostats 
  If you don’t have an automation system, install programmable or smart thermostats and communicate regular set points with building occupants. 

2. Regular Preventative Maintenance 

• Routine maintenance keeps equipment running efficiently.
  For example, replace air filters, clean evaporator and condenser coils, and tune up systems per manufacturer recommendations. Following these practices can reduce energy costs by 5-20% annually. 

3. Address Plug Loads 

• Plug and Process Loads (PPL) 
  Nearly a third of electricity used in U.S. commercial buildings powers devices like computers and printers. Turn off unused devices, enable power management settings, and reduce unnecessary plug loads. Learn more here. 

4. Encourage Energy-Efficient Behavior 

• Occupant behavior significantly affects energy use. Encourage employees to turn off lights and equipment and communicate energy goals within your building. Check out the Building Energy Hub’s Plug Loads and Tenant Energy Use Reduction Tech Primer to explore additional strategies. 

5. Weatherize and Reduce Air Infiltration 

• Seal Air Gaps 
  Use weatherstripping and caulking to seal doors and windows, and close roof and freight entrances when not in use. Review the Building Energy Hub’s Tech Primers on High Performance Windows and Wall Insulation for more ideas. 

6. Upgrade Lighting 

• LED Lighting 
  Switch to LEDs for substantial energy savings. Additional savings can be realized by installing occupancy sensors and daylight-responsive lighting controls. 

7. Retro-Commissioning (RCx) 

• What is RCx? 
  RCx is a building "tune-up" that optimizes existing systems for efficiency. This is ideal for large buildings and can identify low- or no-cost improvements.  

8. Get an Energy Audit 

• An energy audit or energy assessment identifies energy-saving opportunities, potential costs, payback times, and available incentives and rebates. 

• There are three types of energy audits, established as industry standards by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.) They are listed below from simplest to most detailed. 

  • Walkthrough Audit (ASHRAE Level I Audit). Provides an initial, cursory walkthrough of the building and its systems and equipment, which is accompanied by a review of a building’s utility bills. It is intended to only provide a high-level overview of no- or low-cost energy savings measures and should be considered a starting point to understanding potential savings opportunities. 

  • Detailed Audit (ASHRAE Level II Audit). Provides an analysis to identify measures with greatest energy savings and financial cost-benefit based on a fuel-use analysis alongside interviewing on-site staff. 

  • Investment Grade Audit (ASHRAE Level III Audit). Highly detailed engineering analysis of capital-intensive measures alongside financial analysis for potential investments. 

Invest in Your Building: Medium-Cost Measures and Long-Term Investments