For many organizations, the HVAC system is relatively old and has been getting more inefficient as the years go by. The systems are somewhat complex and as they are based on a system of cycling according to external triggers, typically rack up energy costs very quickly. Very few organizations can exist without an HVAC system these days, even though years ago it might have been considered as a luxury. In some parts of the country it certainly is a necessity during certain months and as such represents the lion's share of monthly utility costs.

When gathering HVAC cost estimates, remember to completely reassess the construction plans of the building. The chances are that the system would have been installed when the building was initially set up and alterations may have been made along the way necessitating a different approach to reinstallation. Time would be very much of the essence when a reinstallation is attempted and any nasty surprises will not only be outside of the budget, but also could have significant knock on effects for overall business productivity.

Rather than consider a complete replacement of the system, retrofitting is becoming a much more palatable option for the business owner. This refers to the act of bringing an existing asset or product up to a high level of efficiency without actually replacing. The government has recognized that retrofitting could help to jumpstart the economy and put businesses in a much more competitive position, due to greater efficiency. The feds are currently looking for workable plans on a nationwide basis, that can be rolled out across the country as part of a project called “retrofit ramp-up.” Likewise, in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, several significant clauses suggest that grants and incentives be made available to businesses to help them pay for the cost of retrofitting.

A retrofit does not have to be a significant capital outlay, especially if financing can be arranged to pay for the cost while savings are being realized. Some HVAC retrofit software solutions have been shown to save 30 to 40% of the cost of utilities and can go a long way to helping the business become sustainable for the carbon economy ahead.