How to Improve Your Commercial Property’s Energy Rating
Table of Contents
A Step-by-Step Guide to Improve the BER
Improving the energy rating of a commercial property is beneficial for reducing the operational costs. It is also essential for meeting environmental standards and regulations. By enhancing your property’s energy efficiency the BER energy rating will also be boosted making it more favourable on the property market. The steps below describe measures that will help make the commercial property more sustainable, energy efficient and cost-effective.
What Do BER/Energy Ratings Entail?
Energy ratings, often depicted on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), reflect the energy efficiency of a building. Ratings typically range from A to G, with A being very efficient and G being the least efficient. These ratings are determined by assessing various factors such as insulation, building fabric, openings such as windows and doors, heating systems, lighting, ventilation, and the overall energy usage.
In Ireland the energy rating is called a BER, a Building Energy Rating. A non-domestic BER assessor is qualified and registered with the SEAI to publish BERs for commercial properties.
The same as residential buildings it is a legal requirement for all commercial buildings for sale and rent to have a valid BER. It can also help with insurance too. They can also be done as a general audit to point out where energy improvements can be made.
Step 1: Conduct an Energy Audit/BER
Why Conduct a BER?
A BER/energy audit is the first step in identifying areas where energy efficiency can be improved. This comprehensive assessment provides a detailed analysis and survey of the property’s energy consumption, highlighting inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
How to Conduct a BER/Energy Audit
1. Select a BER assessor: Engage a registered BER assessor to perform a thorough energy inspection of your property. They will provide a detailed report outlining current energy usage and recommendations for improvement. They will assess all areas of the building such as fabric, ventilation, insulation, heating system, renewables, air conditioning, etc. They will evaluate how these components contribute to overall energy usage. You can select and connect with a registered assessor who is working in your area through Cleanergy. https://www.cleanergy.ie/find-a-commercial-ber-assessor/
2. Review Historical Energy Data: Examine past energy bills to understand consumption patterns and identify peak usage periods. If you are a public building you will also legally have to have a Display Energy Certificate(DEC) which must be displayed in a prominent place. This is in addition to any requirements for a commercial BER. A Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is based on your buildings energy usage which can be sought from your utility bills. A Display Energy Certificate (DEC) working in your area can be booked through Cleanergy https://www.cleanergy.ie/find-a-dec-assessor/
This is only required for public buildings. If you are just getting a BER of a commercial building for rental, sales, mortgages, etc. you will not need this.
Step 2: Upgrade Insulation and Glazing
Importance of Proper Insulation
Poor insulation can lead to significant heat loss, making your heating systems work harder and increasing energy consumption, i.e. increasing your utility bills. Upgrading insulation in walls, roofs, and floors can help reduce your energy wastage.
How to Upgrade Insulation
- Assess Current Insulation Levels: Identify areas with insufficient insulation. Common problem areas include attics, basements, and exterior walls. A commercial BER report will highlight areas where insulation could be improved.
- Choose Appropriate Insulation Materials: Use materials such as fibreglass, PIR insulating board, cellulose, or spray foam, which offer low thermal conductivity and a high thermal resistance, i.e. products with a low U-value.
- Install Double or Triple Glazing: Upgrading to double or triple-glazed windows reduces heat loss, improving the overall thermal efficiency of your building. Ensure doors have a low u-value which is an indicator that they lose less heat.
Step 3: Optimise Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
Enhancing HVAC Efficiency
HVAC systems are major contributors to energy consumption in commercial properties. Ensuring these systems are running efficiently can significantly improve your energy rating. Older systems will have lower efficiencies. In a BER/energy audit the assessor will assess the type of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system (HVAC) and it’s efficiency.
Steps to Optimise HVAC Systems
- Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular maintenance to keep HVAC systems running efficiently. Clean filters, check for leaks, and ensure proper refrigerant levels.
- Install Programmable Thermostats: Programmable thermostats allow for temperatures to be automatically adjusted, thus reducing energy wastage. Consider zones in your property. So instead of the heating being on at one set temperature throughout the property having zones means they can run separate and at different temperatures if you wish. For example, the offices could be on one temperature and the warehouse on another. TRV’s on radiators are also useful as it allows the temperature of each individual radiator to be controlled in your property. TRVs are easy to fix to radiators.
- Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Systems: Consider replacing old HVAC units with newer energy-efficient systems that comply with current energy standards. Newer systems will be more energy efficient.
Step 4: Implement Energy-Efficient Lighting Solutions
Benefits of Energy-Efficient Lighting
Switching to energy-efficient lighting can reduce electricity consumption significantly. Modern lighting solutions not only consume less power but also have a longer lifespan, reducing replacement costs.
How to Implement Efficient Lighting
- Install LED Lighting: LEDs are more energy-efficient compared to traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs. They last longer, reducing maintenance costs.
- Utilise Motion Sensors and Timers: Motion sensors allow lights to only on when needed. Timers can automatically turn off lights during non-occupancy times such as evenings or weekends.
- Maximise Natural Light: The use of skylights and large windows can reduce the need for artificial lighting during daytime. However, consider the u-value of these windows. There is no point taking out good insulated solid walls and/or roofs for windows that are not good heat retainers. A u-value of less than 1.4 for double glazed is an indicator of good thermal performance.
Step 5: Improve Energy Management Practices
Effective Energy Management
Proper energy management involves monitoring and controlling energy use to ensure efficiency. You need to develop a plan but also ensure that it is implemented, monitored and reviewed regularly or else it will be pointless. Verify that it is being implemented, this can be done by the use of checklists. Implementing an effective energy management plan will help you save money on heating and utility bills.
Steps to Improve Energy Management
- Monitor Energy Usage: Use energy monitoring systems to track your consumption. This data can help identify areas for improvement. Once you implement energy-saving initiatives it can help you measure the impact of them to see if they are useful or need further reviewing.
- Implement an Energy Policy: Develop an energy policy. The energy policy should include your goals, responsibilities, and procedures for energy management and prevention of heat loss. Keep your goals realistic. If the policy is over ambitious it won’t be attainable.
- Engage Employees: Educate and train employees in energy-saving practices. Simple actions like turning off lights and equipment when not in use can make a big difference. This can asking them to turn off their monitors when they are not in the office. Or using timers for big equipment such as printers and scanners so they are only on during your business hours. Engage employees and ask them what they think could be done to improve energy practices in your service. Engaging them means you will get realistic feedback, also engagement is essential for success.
Step 6: Upgrade Appliances and Office Equipment
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Modern, energy-efficient appliances and office equipment consume significantly less energy, similar to heating systems, boilers and ventilation units. Upgrading to more energy-efficient options will improve your property’s overall energy performance.
How to Upgrade Appliances
- Audit Current Equipment: Identify outdated or inefficient appliances and equipment that are major energy consumers. See if there is a rating on any equipment. This is an energy label with a A-G rating, similar as to what is done for buildings.
- Choose Good Energy Rated Appliances: Look for appliances and equipment with high energy efficiency ratings such as an A or B energy label.
- Dispose of Old Equipment Responsibly: Ensure that old appliances and equipment are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner, e.g. the use of the WEEE.
Step 7: Utilise Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable Energy Integration
Installing renewable energy sources can drastically reduce your property’s energy consumption and improve its energy rating. Depending on your business this could involve the use of solar panels, wind turbines and/or other renewable technologies. Renewable energy sources are increasingly accessible, cost-effective and reduce your carbon footprint.
Steps to Integrate Renewable Energy
- Assess Renewable Energy Potential: Determine the feasibility of renewable energy technologies based on your property. Consider your location, size, layout, structure and energy needs.
- Install Solar Panels: Solar panels are not just a popular choice for residential properties. Many commercial properties are installing solar panels also as they generate a significant portion of your electricity needs. Solar panels will reduce your dependence on grid power and save you money on electricity bills. If you have electrical heat sources they will work very well with these also.
- Explore Other Renewable Options: Other renewable energy sources include wind turbines, geothermal systems, or biomass energy. Again suitability of these will depend on your property’s suitability.
Step 8: Seek Professional Guidance and Financial Incentives
Importance of Professional Guidance
If energy management and energy performance is not within your area of expertise or you find it complex or time-consuming then seek professional advice. A commercial BER will come with an advisory report giving you recommendations on how to improve your overall energy. The commercial BER assessor can give you advice. This is a worthwhile tool to do even if you do not need a BER for sale, rental, mortgage. Book and engage with a BER assessor for your commercial property using this link https://www.cleanergy.ie/find-a-commercial-ber-assessor/
Guidance and Financial Incentives
- Explore Government Incentives: Investigate available grants and tax incentives for energy efficiency upgrades. Look on www.SEAI.ie or contact them to see if there is a grant for your property.
- Other Finance Options: Consider financing options such as green loans or energy performance contracts to fund your energy efficiency projects. This can often mean that if your commercial property has a certain BER energy rating that you will get lower interest rates. Speak to your building insurance providers too to see if you also get a yearly discount if you have a certain BER.
Step 9: Regularly Review and Update Energy Strategies
Continuous Improvement
Improving your commercial property’s energy rating is an ongoing process. You should always be striving to improve it. Regularly review and updating your energy management plan.
Steps for Continuous Improvement
- Conduct Periodic Energy Audits: Regular audits help monitor progress and identify new opportunities for improvement. Set the timeframe for how often you want eergy audits to be done, e.g. yearly, quarterly, etc.
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date on the latest developments in energy efficiency and regulations.
- Adjust and Review Energy Management Plan as Needed: If there are any changes in your building usage or new technologies used then you should review your energy management plan and adapt as needed. This might arise because of a known change or something that your energy audit has pointed out.
Conclusion
Improving your commercial property’s energy rating is a multi-stepped approach . It requires a commitment to sustainable practices and involvement of all employees. By….
- Conducting a BER survey,
- Upgrading insulation and glazing,
- Optimising heating, ventilation and cooling systems,
- Implementing energy-efficient lighting,
- Improving energy management practices,
- Upgrading appliances,
- Installing renewable energy sources,
- Seeking professional advice such as commercial BER assessors
- Regularly reviewing your strategies,
- You can significantly improve your property’s energy efficiency.
These measures lead to substantial cost savings. They will also contribute to a more sustainable environment and enhance the comfort of occupants and employees. Not to mention they will increase the value of your property.
