KEEPING COOL THIS SUMMER
I’ve been asked, “What’s the best way to help keep building users cool this summer?”
I always say, “Reduce energy consumption and make absolutely sure you are only using what you need”. In simple terms, more energy = more heat!
Yes, you also need to check your air-conditioning systems and change-over to summer settings. And it’s also a great time to ask those challenging ‘why not’ questions again!
As an aid, I have compiled a very simple checklist to help for summer readiness – which often delivers multiple benefits to the organisation and its people.
SUMMER READINESS CHECKLIST – THE FOUR ‘R’s
REDUCE. To avoid overheating in summer, this has to be the first thing to do. Look for and exploit cost effective opportunities for reducing energy consumption and thereby reducing your internal heat gains. In simple terms, look at everything: where you can, ‘Switch it off’ earlier and ‘Turn it down’ sooner.
RECOMMISSION. Regularly service and recommission your equipment to make sure energy is used efficiently and is not wasted. This is particularly important for your air-conditioning systems so they are able to operate at maximum availability. This includes changing over to summertime settings and time schedules – typically allowing internal temperatures to rise up to 22-24 degrees Celsius for most UK buildings. These settings should be specified in the building’s energy logbook.
RECYCLE. Take advantage of night time cooling strategies where you can. The idea is to bring in more of the cooler, fresh air from outside, than you would normally do to help cool down the building (and its contents overnight). A building’s thermal capacity is then able to absorb some of the heat generated during the day – helping to keep everyone cool and also saving energy.
RETHINK! When ‘making absolutely sure you are only using what you need’, this is a great time to ask those challenging ‘Why’ and ‘Why not’ questions again. Often called the 5 Whys (Why, Why, Why, Why and Why not’), the process of asking why helps challenge and look for the simpler ways of meeting customer demand. It’s a great way of getting people involved in energy and converting the impossible into the possible. Remember to feedback successes and lessons when replacing equipment, developing new assets or organising new services.
SPECIAL OFFER: FREE ‘ON-DEMAND’ REVIEW. In conjunction with your ‘Summer Readiness’, we are offering a free ‘On-demand’ review at your location; giving you a chance to discuss how well you are doing at ‘making sure you are using only what you need’ or, if you like, a fresh pair of eyes. Click here for more information.
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