Winter can be tough for commercial buildings. When it gets cold, buildings that aren’t ready can have problems like high heating bills, broken HVAC systems, frozen pipes, and unhappy workers or customers. That’s why getting your building ready before winter is a smart and important choice.
Whether you own or take care of a store, office, warehouse, or apartment building, planning ahead helps keep your building warm and working well. These 9 easy tips will help you get ready for winter. They will save energy, cut costs, and keep your inside space comfy all season.
Keep Your HVAC System in Good Shape
Keeping up with regular HVAC maintenance is one of the best ways to make sure your commercial space for winter runs efficiently. HVAC systems, just like any other machine, can wear out over time. Without regular check-ups from a trained technician, parts can stop working as they should. This can lead to higher energy bills and bigger problems down the line.
Parts like coils, fans, and belts need to be in good condition to save energy. If these parts don’t work well, the system has to work harder, and your energy bills can go up. The best way to find problems early, like leaks or broken parts, is to have a professional check your system regularly.
Easy Ways to Make Your Building More Energy Efficient This Winter
Getting your building ready for winter doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Whether you own a business, manage a building, or rent commercial space, making your building use less energy can save you money and help the planet. One of the best ways to do this is by improving your HVAC design and installation. HVAC systems use a lot of energy—sometimes up to 40%! But with the right changes, like retrofit services in Sydney or a better commercial ventilation system in Glendenning, you can waste less energy and keep your building comfortable all year.
Here are some simple ways to make your commercial space more energy efficient this winter:
1. Stop Heat From Escaping Through Doors and Windows
A super easy way to save energy in winter is by keeping your windows and doors closed when you’re not using them. Most of the heat in a building escapes through windows, so even just closing them properly can help lower your energy bills.
If you have a shop, warehouse, or apartment building, lots of people coming in and out means more open doors—and more warm air lost. This makes your HVAC system work harder, which uses more power. But there are simple fixes! You can use automatic door closers or weighted doors so they shut on their own. Adding window seals also helps keep the warm air inside and the cold air out.
2. Check or Upgrade Your Heating System
The heat exchanger (for gas or propane systems) or heat strip (for electric systems) is an important part of your commercial HVAC system. It helps keep your building warm and comfortable in winter. But if it’s old or damaged, it can waste a lot of energy and make your system work harder than it should.
One of the best things you can do is ask a professional to check it. They’ll tell you if it’s working properly or if it needs to be repaired or replaced. Regular checks like this are a smart part of good HVAC design and installation.
3. Install Revolving Doors to Keep the Warmth In
If you own or manage a commercial or multi-residential building, adding revolving doors at the entrance is a smart way to save energy. These doors stay closed while people come and go, which helps stop warm air from escaping in winter and hot air from getting in during summer.
Revolving doors also act like airlocks, blocking cold drafts and helping your HVAC system work more efficiently. If revolving doors don’t work for your building, you can install an airlock door system instead. It does the same job of keeping the inside air in and the outside air out.
4. Use Thicker Glass for Better Insulation
If your commercial building—like a restaurant or office—has big windows or glass doors, you could be losing a lot of heat in winter. One smart fix is to use thick glass or double-glazed windows. These types of glass act like a blanket, keeping the warm air inside and the cold air out.
Double-glazed windows are not only good for saving energy, but they also help reduce noise from outside. This means your space stays warm and quiet, and your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard. When your heating system runs less, you save more on energy bills.
5. Let the Sunlight In to Naturally Warm Up Spaces
One easy and free way to warm up your building in winter is by letting in as much sunlight as possible. Sunlight helps heat your space naturally, so you don’t have to rely only on your HVAC system. This means your heater won’t have to work as hard, which saves energy and money.
Plus, with more sunlight during the day, you won’t need to use as many lights, so you save on electricity too. Making the most of natural light is a smart move and can be part of an energy-saving HVAC design plan.
6. Clean or Replace Air Filters Regularly
Cleaning the filters on your commercial air conditioning units is something you can easily do yourself. Make sure to clean them at least once a month. When filters get clogged with dust and dirt, your commercial air conditioning system has to work harder to cool the building, which wastes energy and raises your bills.
During summer, you might need to clean the filters more often because of extra dust and pollen in the air.
The filters are usually easy to access and remove. You can hose them down, let them dry, and then put them back. Keeping filters clean helps your commercial air conditioning services run smoothly, saves money on energy, and protects the long-term health of your system.
7. Turn Down the AC When You Don’t Need It
This tip is simple but powerful. Did you know that for every degree you set your air conditioner below 25.5°C (78°F), your energy use goes up by about 8%? That means if your monthly bill is $100, you could save around $8 for each degree you keep above 25.5°C.
Here’s a helpful tip: Let your air conditioner cool the room fast by running it on high for a few minutes. Then, raise the temperature to save energy but still stay comfortable.
8. Set Your Thermostat to Save Energy
In winter, rooms in a commercial building should stay around 68–74°F (20–23°C) to keep people comfortable. It sounds simple, but using your thermostat the right way can save a lot of energy—and money!
By programming your thermostat to match your building’s schedule, you can avoid wasting heat. For example, set it to warm up during busy hours and lower the temperature when rooms are empty. This helps your HVAC system work smarter, not harder.
9. Keep Radiators at a Low, Steady Temperature
This might sound different from the last tip, but you should keep your radiators on at a low, comfortable heat—even when no one is in the building.
If your building gets too cold, your HVAC system will have to work much harder to warm it up again. By keeping a steady, minimal temperature, you help your system run more efficiently and save energy in the long run.
10. Lower Water Pressure to Save Heating Energy
In multi-story buildings, it can be hard to pump water up to the top floors, especially in winter. The water needs to be heated to stop it from freezing and damaging the pipes.
One way to help your plumbing system work better is by lowering the water pressure. This makes it easier for the system to pump water and uses less energy overall.
11. Switch to Solar Water Heaters If You Can
Even in winter, there are sunny days that can help heat your building. Using solar water heaters to warm some of your water can save a lot of energy and lower your bills. Just remember to keep your solar system connected to your regular water heater so the water in the pipes doesn’t freeze during cold days.
Your heating and cooling systems don’t need to work hard to keep your building warm. This also helps you save money on energy bills. You can do simple things to take care of them. You can also make smart changes like retrofit solutions in Sydney. Getting help with HVAC design can also make your building use less energy in winter.
Seal Up Drafts and Leaks in Your Building
You can make your commercial air conditioning system work better by keeping your building well-sealed and insulated. Stopping air leaks helps your HVAC system use less energy and work better. Here are some easy ways to do this:
- Always keep windows and doors closed when your HVAC system is on.
- Install tinted windows to block strong sunlight. This helps cool your building naturally.
- Add better insulation to walls, ceilings, and floors. This keeps heat inside during winter and keeps your building cooler in summer.
- Make sure the air ducts in your HVAC system are sealed well. Leaky ducts, especially in cold or unheated areas, waste a lot of energy.
- Put seals or door sweeps on the bottoms of outside doors to stop cold air from coming in and warm air from escaping.
Quick Tips to Save Energy With Your Commercial AC
Reducing energy costs in a commercial building can be tricky, but your air conditioning system is a great place to start. With a few small changes, you can save money without making your space less comfortable.
Here are some simple tips to help:
- Clean or change the air filters often so the air flows easily and your system doesn’t have to work too hard.
- Set the thermostat between 24–26°C to keep the room cool without using too much energy.
- Use a programmable thermostat to turn the system off or down when no one is in the building.
- Close and seal all doors and windows well so the cool air stays inside.
- Get regular check-ups from air conditioning experts in Glendenning to find and fix small problems before they become big ones.
To Conclude
Getting your commercial building ready for winter doesn’t have to be hard or costly. But it does require some planning and attention. By following these 11 simple tips, you can save energy, help your HVAC system last longer, and keep your building warm and comfortable for everyone inside.
Whether you manage a small office or a big building with many floors, getting ready for winter now can help you avoid problems later. Stay warm, save energy, and keep your building working well all winter long.
Need help getting started? Contact Answer Air Services today for expert advice, maintenance, or a custom plan to get your building ready for the cold weather.