Space heating

What's the cost of heating up your business?
Energy efficiency and space heating
Space heating case study
Space heating tips

What's the cost of heating up your business?

Heating systems can consume a large amount of energy in an office building. With only minor adjustments or simple maintenance procedures, it is often possible to not only make the indoor environment a more comfortable and productive work place, but to also save energy and money.

Energy efficiency and space heating

Most businesses use heating, cooling and ventilation systems to help create a pleasant environment for employees and customers. Without this, your employees' efficiency may decline, along with your customers’ business. After all, nobody likes an uncomfortable environment.

Providing a comfortable atmosphere through heating can take up a large proportion of overall energy costs within a business. This is particularly the case for small businesses where heating accounts for around one third of typical energy costs. If you’re in this situation, effectively managing your heating systems could save you hundreds of dollars each year.  

Space heating case study

How to save energy with space heating

Reverse cycle air conditioning (heat pump)

Reverse cycle air conditioning is a very efficient form of heating and has significant advantages over other heating sources:

• Heating costs are lower than natural gas or electric element based heating
• Where air conditioning is required for cooling, the incremental cost of adding a reverse cycle feature is not high
• No combustion occurs in the space so air quality may be higher
• New air conditioning systems are quiet and unobtrusive with good control of space conditions

The following figure shows the savings you could achieve by replacing your natural gas or electric element heating with reverse cycle air conditioning.

Figure 1: Costs of space heating
(Based on 13 weeks heating per year, Electricity cost = 13 cents per unit, gas cost = $15 per GJ)

Source: Energetics 2002

Summary

Efficiency measure(s)	Installation of reverse cycle AC for space heating
Potential users	All organisations which have space heating requirements
Cost of implementation	10 to 15% premium over ‘standard air conditioning’
Expected payback period	3 to 24 months dependent on application

Note: Whilst care has been taken in the preparation of this material, it is intended to provide a general idea about what can be achieved in a particular situation. Quantitative indicators may vary with time and changing circumstances. Each situation is different, requiring its own evaluation; and therefore the results given above should not be taken as being directly transferable to other circumstances. Names and addresses have been withheld for privacy reasons.

Space heating tips

Turn heating off when not required

Leaving heating on 24 hours a day can more than double your heating costs. The easiest way to cut costs is to turn off heating when it is not required. Check that all heating is turned off at the end of each day – especially before weekends.

Set thermostats at appropriate levels

A comfortable and economical maximum winter setting is 21C. This temperature is comfortable for employees and customers – any higher and you’re potentially wasting energy. In fact, for each degree over 21C, annual heating costs may rise by up to 20%.

Reduce heat losses

Many buildings, particularly older ones, have significant air leaks. Poorly fitting windows and doors and permanently open vents all contribute to unwanted heat loss and most can be easily fixed by installing curtains, blinds and door seals.

Use the correct heating application for a particular task

The system best suited to your circumstances will depend on the energy sources available, energy tariffs, and the type of area being heated. The selection of a heating system will also depend on its compatibility with your cooling system, and vice-versa.

Only heat appropriate areas

Heating unoccupied areas is inefficient and costly. Storerooms, toilets and other occasionally used areas usually do not need heating at all. If heating is required, a temperature of around 16C is usually adequate. Make sure you close doors to rarely used rooms, storerooms, toilets, and passageways – if there are no doors you can install curtain doors across entrances to these areas – and turn off heating to these areas where possible. Also, fitting automatic door closers will ensure that doors stay shut.

Maintain your equipment

Well maintained equipment operates better and costs less to run. Bear in mind that the running cost of most equipment is five to ten times the initial purchase price. So regular maintenance according to the manufacturers recommendations will help reduce costs.

Don't reheat cooled air

Cooling air down just to heat it up again is a complete waste of energy. If you think this situation exists in your business consider decommissioning the heating facility in the months when heating isn’t likely to be required.

Make sure the system is correctly sized

Undersized systems won't deliver the required level of heating while oversized systems will cost more to purchase and may cycle frequently in an attempt to maintain temperature. This can cause unpleasant temperature fluctuations and will reduce the life of the system.

Further information

Find out how to reduce your energy costs, by contacting Synergy's Energy Consultants. Just email us at  energyreview@synergyenergy.com.au or call 1300 859 333.
For more information on energy efficiency in your business visit the Sustainable Energy Development Office at http://www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/