Michigan’s spring weather is anything but predictable. A wintry chill can morph into sunny warmth in a single day.
For business owners, this yo-yo weather can challenge HVAC systems that must fluctuate between heating and cooling demands, a pattern that creates energy waste and high energy bills.
To counter this, businesses can leverage the milder days of spring using simple strategies that cost very little. Here are some ways you can outsmart the weather when Mother Nature is most fickle.
1. Install smart thermostats.
The biggest energy drain in spring starts with dual heating and cooling systems. When temperatures swing 20 to 30 degrees in a single day, manual thermostats often fail to keep up.
The solution? A smart thermostat. Modern smart thermostats align with outdoor weather forecasts. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, your business may be eligible to receive one for free with an energy assessment. Go to dteenergy.com/smallbusiness to schedule a complimentary assessment.
2. Capitalize on “free” cooling and economizers.
Spring’s warmer days are often tempered by cool mornings and evenings, and most commercial buildings have built-in equipment to take advantage of that.
An air-side economizer pulls in outside air when it is cooler than the indoor air. To make sure you are receiving the most benefit from your economizer, have your dampers inspected to make sure they aren’t stuck or dirty.
3. Seal the envelope.
Every crack and leak around doors and windows is draining your pocketbook. Take a moment to check weather stripping around doors and caulking around windows. These small fixes will seal the building’s energy envelope, which helps your HVAC system operate much more efficiently.
Using blinds and shades can be a great help in decreasing energy costs. On cooler spring days, keep south-facing shades open to capture solar heat gain. On unseasonably warm afternoons, close them to reduce your HVAC system’s cooling load.
4. Perform shoulder-season maintenance.
Michigan springs are a good time to prepare for humid days later. Dirty or uncalibrated systems are often the culprit when it comes to higher energy costs. Here are three quick and easy steps to make sure your HVAC system is ready to go when summer arrives.
- Replace your filters: Pollen and spring dust clog filters quickly, forcing fans to work harder.
- Clean your HVAC coils: Use a soft-bristle brush or shop vac with a brush hose attachment to remove as much debris as possible.
- Calibrate your fans: If you have ceiling fans, make sure they rotate counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze, then increase your set temperature.
5. Reduce “vampire load” and internal heat.
When spring’s sunny days arrive, take a walk around to see whether there are empty offices or other rooms. Close the vents and unplug unused electronics to eliminate “vampire load,” or the energy wasted by devices even when they’re turned off.
As you walk, take a moment to check the lights to ensure cool LEDs are in use instead of heat-emitting incandescent bulbs.
The bottom line
Spring’s unpredictable temperature swings require a solid HVAC strategy. With just a few minutes checking and implementing the above tips, businesses can smoothly navigate the seasonal changes Michigan is known for.