Q. Our frequently used facility, a church and school, is 100,000 square feet. It is all electric. Our last bill was $15,000 for the month (whereas an average month is $13,000). We use heat pumps and variable air velocity units for our heating and cooling. What can we do to evaluate our power usage and help us conserve?
Jerry Rockett
Facility Manager
East Cooper Baptist Church
Mount Pleasant, SC
This question was originally published in the January 2011 issue of Today’s Facility Manager. Read Elledge’s response here. Share your feedback and suggestions in the LEAVE A COMMENT section below.
Investigate converting to geothermal heating and cooling. If you do not have proximity to a body of water, which would be the least expensive way to install, use one of two underground methods: 1)if you have enough land, use a horizontal system; or 2) if you are limited to ground area, use a vertical system. Up until 2014, you will get a tax credit of 33% including materials and installation if you do any of these.