We recently read an article that provided property owners ideas for maintaining better efficiency during the worst of the heating season.  One of the major recommendations made to the readers of the article was that the thermostat be adjusted to save energy and money.

Adjusting room thermostat settings to maintain a temperature between 66 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months is a good idea, particularly in a residential setting. Just raising the temperature a few degrees on cold days can cause the heating system to run much more frequently, thereby increasing energy consumption.  Ultimately, that means that you can save a rather significant amount of money just by making the small adjustment to the thermostat.  However, when it comes to larger installations, with multiple heating and cooling zones, it becomes a bit more complicated. In order to keep heating and cooling costs to a minimum in large spaces, commercial systems rely on sophisticated systems and controls.

Large systems employ terminal heating and cooling units. So, in order to keep energy cost down, the air handling systems maintain supply temperatures to the spaces based on outdoor air temperature reset programming. For this reason, these systems are often referred to as ‘smart heating and cooling’. By resetting temperatures based on outside air temperature, the heating and cooling system actually operates more efficiently.

If a commercial property is overspending on heating and cooling, the use of- and condition of outdoor air temperature sensors should be considered.  Ultra Electronicshas uniquely designed outside temperature sensors that can be installed in conjunction with building automation systems (BAS).  These can be used to control the air handling system’s temperature reset programs, based on outdoor temperature. This inexpensive, accurate sensor could pay for itself in a single day of heating or cooling, if installed correctly.