Energy Use & Mangement

EVC ensures that energy is effectively reduced through behavioral changes, recorded as our Energy Reduction Standard Operating Procedures, which we expect our staff to engage in. Eagle Valley Commercial will track and record energy on a monthly basis.

With a baseline established, EVC will determine and enact the best procedures to reduce energy consumption, recorded in our Energy Reduction Action Plan. Eagle Valley Commercial plans to monitor each type of energy use, including renewables and electricity, by measuring each systematically.

Eagle Valley Commercial has identified the following strategies for reducing energy consumed by our business and has listed these below.

1. We will utilize our electric utility bill to determine monthly use, and to observe seasonal trends related to heating.
2. Home office is a rental unit; therefore, Green Team members will communicate with the owner to suggest opportunities for adjusting our heating; condo envelope; and lighting fixtures to more sustainably use energy.
3. EVC has already received a free energy walkthrough from Tiger Home and Building Inspections, we will utilize this service to better inform our project selection.
4. Green Team members will work with Holy Cross Energy to explore the feasibility of enrolling in their Peak Time Payback Program to receive credit on future electricity bills by reducing energy use during peak demand events.
5. EVC has already received a free lighting audit from Tiger Home and Building Inspections. We will utilize this service to ensure all lighting has been upgraded to LED bulbs.

LIGHTING

• Use daylighting when available. When this is the case, any unnecessary lights near windows should be turned off.
• When possible, keep reading lamps/floor lamps/sconces/pendants and other small lighting fixtures turned on instead of overhead or other larger lighting fixtures.
• Turn lights out each time you are done cleaning a room. Encourage others to do this as well.

COMPUTERS & APPLIANCES

• If using a computer, ensure each computer’s power management settings are enabled, which will allow the computer to enter sleep mode (the monitor powers down) when not in use. *Note: screen savers do not save energy!
• When working at home, at the end of each workday, turn off computers and their monitors, overhead projectors, printers, copiers and any equipment that require a warm-up period. (Turn this equipment off sooner if no additional use is expected.)

HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) AND BUILDING ENVELOPE

• Always ensure floor, wall, and ceiling vents are not blocked, and are free from clutter for proper and efficient ventilation.
• Staff who finds gaps under doors to the exterior of buildings (light is visibly shining under the door) and around windows should report this information to their direct supervisor to communicate with costumers for necessary replacement and/or repair if they choose to.
• Only those with disabilities should use automatic door openers. Frequent use by those who are not disabled allows for loss of heat or conditioned air.
• Adopt the following procedures during summer months to ensure buildings envelope and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, if present, are operating as efficiently as possible.
  • Only open windows or doors to the exterior of the building when needed to clean and close immediately if HVAC systems have been turned on.
• Adopt the following procedures during winter months to ensure our building envelope and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, if present, are operating as efficiently as possible.
  • When heating systems have been turned on in the winter, only open windows and/or doors if needed to clean and close immediately.
  • During the day, uncover windows from blinds/shades/drapes to help heat indoor spaces.
  • At the end of the day, close blinds/shades/drapes to reduce heat loss at night.