Match operating hours to the real building
In offices, hotels and public buildings, unnecessary operating hours can create recurring energy costs even when equipment is relatively new. Compare BAS/BMS schedules with occupancy, cleaning, security and special events. A building with occasional evening use does not necessarily need every zone conditioned all night. Review holiday settings and temporary overrides, while preserving required ventilation, frost protection and critical services.
Find heating and cooling that work against each other
Review heating and cooling setpoints, deadbands and terminal-unit behaviour to identify systems fighting one another. Trends may show reheat operating while central cooling remains active, or valves failing to close when demand is absent. Check sensor accuracy, physical valve operation and actual space conditions before changing settings. Some processes legitimately require cooling and reheating for humidity control; an apparent conflict is a hypothesis to investigate, not automatic evidence of waste.
Sequence plant around demand
Chillers, boilers, pumps and fans should respond to measured load rather than habit. Examine lead-lag rotation, minimum run times, variable-speed operation and pressure or temperature reset strategies. In mixed-use properties, tenant hours and competing thermal needs affect the sequence. In hospitality, guest comfort and hot-water availability are essential boundaries. Equipment limits and manufacturer guidance must remain part of any proposed control change.
Use trends and a controlled change plan
Collect sufficiently detailed trends to see starts, stops, hunting and overrides alongside weather and occupancy. Agree changes with the facility team, record original settings and define rollback conditions. Introduce changes in a manageable sequence so their effects can be understood. Safety interlocks and critical systems require competent review; energy reduction should not come at the expense of air quality, process requirements or equipment protection.
Keep the improvement from drifting
Compare energy use under similar conditions and check comfort complaints, alarms and maintenance outcomes after changes. Assign ownership of schedules and overrides, and review trends periodically to catch drift. Document successful settings and retain operator training as part of the handover. Better controls may reduce energy waste and inform a smaller or better-targeted capital project, but the opportunity depends on the starting condition and must be verified.
Reference & further reading
Official technical resource. Confirm applicability to your facility and engagement.
Related insights
What a commercial energy audit should deliver