Your building systems account for a large percentage of your operating systems, but you don’t need a complete overhaul to see energy savings. Focusing on three areas can help your facility see the most significant return on investment: HVAC optimization, heating system upgrades and water heating efficiency.

Smart temperature and ventilation controls offer the fastest path to reducing your energy usage with minimal upfront investment.

Programmable thermostats

Why it works: In cold-climate regions, heating can account for up to 50% of your energy costs. Programmable and wi-fi thermostats provide more precise control, so you’re paying for heating only when your building is actually occupied.

Best practices: Set temperatures back 7-10°F during any period when your building is unoccupied for at least eight hours — such as nights, weekends or holidays. According to the Department of Energy, this simple step can reduce heating costs by up to 10%.

Best for: Office buildings, manufacturing plants, healthcare facilities and any commercial space with predictable occupancy patterns.

Demand control ventilation

Why it works: Many facilities ventilate at maximum capacity 24/7, wasting energy by heating and cooling more outdoor air than necessary. Demand control ventilation (DCV) systems use CO2 sensors to automatically adjust fresh air intake based on actual occupancy levels.

Best practices: Install DCV systems in spaces with variable occupancy to match fresh air volumes to real-time needs. You only condition the air you need, when you need it.

Best for: Conference centers, educational buildings, offices with flexible schedules and any facility with fluctuating occupancy patterns throughout the day.

Strategic upgrades to central heating systems may help deliver energy efficiency improvements through heat recovery, combustion optimization and proactive maintenance.

Condensing boilers

Why it works: Heating systems lose energy when heat escapes through the exhaust pipe. A condensing boiler is different because it catches that “wasted” heat before it leaves your building. By capturing this extra energy and putting it back into your heating system, it uses less natural gas to keep your building warm and comfortable.

Best practices: Condensing boilers can operate an estimated 10% or more efficiently than standard systems. Pair them with advanced controls like cut-out and reset systems to optimize hot water temperature based on actual demand.

Best for: Facilities with central boiler plants and consistent heating demands, especially those looking to reduce both operating costs and emissions.

Advanced combustion controls

Why it works: Linkageless controls are like “cruise control” for your boiler. While older systems have parts that can slip and waste fuel, these smart sensors constantly tune the mix of air and gas. By using only the exact amount of energy needed, your system stays in top shape and can save energy.

Best practices: Installing linkageless burner controls may help you achieve approximately 5% energy efficiency gains. Schedule professional boiler tune-ups at least every two years to maintain 1-5% energy efficiency improvements through regular maintenance.

Best for: Any facility with boiler-based heating systems, particularly those with aging equipment that could benefit from modernized controls.

Steam trap management

Why it works: An estimated 5% of steam traps fail annually, silently venting expensive heated steam into the atmosphere. Each failed steam trap wastes valuable heat energy.

Best practices: Conduct annual professional steam trap surveys to identify failed traps before they impact your bottom line. This preventive step helps keep latent heat energy in your system where it belongs.

Best for: Manufacturing facilities, hospitals, universities and any operation relying on steam systems for heating or industrial processes.

Simple fixture upgrades and advanced water heater technology may help you reduce energy costs while maintaining user comfort.

Low-flow aerators

Why it works: Low-flow aerators mix air with water to maintain pressure while reducing volume. This straightforward retrofit cuts hot water consumption without affecting user experience — users won’t notice the difference, but this can lower energy usage.

Best practices: Install low-flow aerators at all faucets and sinks throughout your facility. This simple upgrade can deliver an estimated 25% savings on water heating costs by reducing the amount of hot water you need to produce in the first place.

Best for: All commercial facilities, especially those looking for high-impact improvements with minimal investment and no disruption to operations.

Condensing water heaters

Why it works: Condensing hot water heaters recover heat from combustion flue gas that traditional systems waste. By capturing and reusing this energy, these advanced systems reduce the fuel needed to heat your water supply.

Best practices: Condensing water heaters can help you save approximately 10-15% on water heating energy costs. Size systems appropriately for your peak demand to maximize energy efficiency gains.

Best for: Healthcare facilities, hotels, food service operations, manufacturing plants and any facility with high domestic or process hot water demands.

These commercial energy efficiency strategies can help deliver measurable energy savings while supporting your sustainability goals. Start with the quick wins — programmable thermostats and low-flow aerators — then plan strategic upgrades based on your facility’s specific heating and cooling needs.

These kinds of improvements put you in better control of your operating costs while supporting your environmental objectives.