New ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers) Building Labeling Program Can Help Norfolk Building Owners Save On Energy Costs
If you own commercial property in Norfolk, Virginia, a Norfolk factory authorized dealer can help you maximize energy savings by following the new ASHRAE building labeling program. ASHRAE, which stands for the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, developed a building labeling program known as the Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) to help building owners realize greater energy savings. The bEQ program also helps potential investors or renters understand the energy efficiency of a building before making a commitment to buy property or rent office space.
Professional energy auditors determine bEQ using a number of different factors. When an energy auditor from a Norfolk factory authorized dealer inspects your property, the primary goal is to determine opportunities for energy savings. This can be accomplished by replacing an inefficient HVAC system, adding insulation, using energy sources more conservatively and so forth. Before the energy auditor begins his or her work, you should receive a workbook printed by ASHRAE that outlines what will occur during the appointment.
At the conclusion of your appointment with a professional energy auditor, the building will receive a rating from ASHRAE. You will receive a certificate from ASHRAE indicating the bEQ, which you are free to post any place you see fit. In addition to providing the information to potential investors or renters, there are several ways you can use the building rating to your advantage. Since the ASHRAE rating is public information, you can compare your rating to nearby commercial buildings to see where you could make improvements in energy savings. The rating is also helpful for maintenance staff to interact with management on what needs to be done to improve energy savings for the entire building.
When you book an appointment with an energy auditor in Norfolk, be certain to ask if the auditor uses the ASHRAE building labeling system. The program assigns letter grades as part of bEQ ranging from A plus to F. This is a system that most people are already very familiar with, so you won't have to spend a lot of time explaining the energy efficiency of your building to others. To locate your nearest Norfolk Factory Authorized Dealer, click here.