Everybody needs an economizer, right? Have you ever heard of such a thing?
All the talk, these days, is about economizing, and building owners are no exception. Costs are high and budgets are tight.
What’s a property manager to do?
How to keep occupants comfortable without breaking the bank?
In today’s era of sustainability and rising energy costs, one technology stands out as a game-changer for commercial buildings: an air economizer.
What is an economizer?
An economizer is a component of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that lets buildings pull cool, outside air into the building and circulate it.
In the industry, we call the use of economizers, “Free Cooling”! (You want that, don’t you?)
If your system is new, it probably includes an integrated economizer.
If your system is older and doesn’t include one, don’t worry. Economizers are often retrofitted to older systems.
Economizers typically consist of dampers, controls, sensors, and an advanced control system that optimizes the balance between mechanical cooling and outdoor air intake.
5 big reasons why your commercial property needs an economizer
ONE: Cost savings
The number one reason that your property needs an air economizer is to lower your cooling cost.
When you pull in cool air from the outside, your mechanical system doesn’t have to run to cool the air. By cutting the time the equipment runs, you lower energy consumption and fuel cost.
Studies cite energy savings of up to 60% depending on climate conditions.
TWO: Sustainability
Using an economizer reduces the amount of time your mechanical equipment is using energy.
Less energy means fewer carbon emissions, and investors and tenants concerned about the environment will appreciate the smaller carbon footprint.
THREE: Longer lifespan of equipment
Elite Heating and Air Conditioning goes above and beyond in providing you with quality equipment that fits your property and your budget. But – no doubt about it – commercial HVAC systems are expensive.
You want to make your equipment last as long as possible.
An economizer prolongs the lifespan of your system because you don’t have to run it as much. Less operating time means less wear and tear on mechanical parts, extending the lifespan of your unit.
FOUR: Improved indoor air quality
Fresh outdoor air brings a multitude of benefits to the occupants of a commercial property. Economizers help improve indoor air quality by providing ventilation and reducing the buildup of pollutants, allergens, and odors. This leads to a healthier and more productive environment for tenants and employees.
One academic study in Texas found that an economizer reduces energy costs significantly, but there are other ways that it saves money, too. Buildings with air economizers had significantly fewer employees taking sick leave because of improved indoor air quality, saving between $6000 and $16,000 per year.
What a great selling point if you’re filling vacancies!
FIVE: Conformity with building codes and compliance laws
Many building codes and energy efficiency standards now mandate the use of economizers in commercial buildings. By implementing economizers, property managers can ensure compliance with these regulations, avoiding potential penalties and legal issues.
Three great options for you
You may not know if you have an air economizer built into your system. You may not have one at all.
Here are three great options for you.
- Call Elite Heating and Air Conditioning of South Jersey and schedule an appointment to check for an economizer. If you have one, we can properly align the damper vents, check the sensors, and make sure that you are using it to its fullest potential.
- Call Elite Heating and Air Conditioning South Jersey and schedule an appointment for a quote to retrofit your existing equipment.
- Call Elite Heating and Air Conditioning of South Jersey to give you a quote for new, energy-efficient equipment with an economizer built-in.
Get “free cooling,” decrease your costs, and keep your occupants comfortable with the proper use of an economizer!