Building Energy Efficiency Upgrades: How to Assess What Pays Back

Air conditioning and lighting account for much of the energy a building uses in the UAE. Owners looking to cut bills often jump straight to a big upgrade. A better approach is to find where energy is actually being used, fix the cheap problems first and then test each larger upgrade on its merits.

Step 1: Establish the baseline

Collect at least a year of utility bills, and note building area, occupancy and operating hours. Without a baseline, you cannot tell whether any change has worked.

Step 2: Walk the building and look for waste

•     Lights left on in empty areas.

•     AC running in unused spaces, or set too low.

•     Units with dirty coils and filters working harder than they should.

•     Doors and windows leaking cool air.

•     Old equipment running continuously.

Step 3: Fix the maintenance issues first

A badly maintained AC system wastes energy. Cleaning coils, replacing filters and correcting refrigerant levels are often the cheapest efficiency gains available. Our guide to chiller performance shows how fouling raises running costs.

Step 4: Consider the upgrades

•     Lighting: replacing old fittings with LED, and adding controls such as sensors or timers, reduces both electricity use and heat.

•     Controls: better thermostats, scheduling and zoning stop systems running when they are not needed.

•     AC replacement: newer equipment can use less energy, but only makes sense where old equipment is near the end of its life.

•     Building envelope: shading, glazing treatments and sealing reduce heat gain.

Step 5: Test the payback

For each option, estimate the cost and the expected annual saving. Divide cost by saving for a simple payback period. Be cautious about savings claims that no one can substantiate, and ask for the assumptions behind them.

Step 6: Sequence the work

Do the low-cost, quick-payback measures first, and fit larger replacements into your lifecycle plan, as set out in our guide to asset lifecycle planning.

Step 7: Measure the result

Compare bills before and after, adjusting for weather and occupancy. Good records also help support any green building or sustainability reporting you need.

Check for programmes and requirements

Utilities and authorities sometimes offer programmes or set standards that affect upgrades. Check what applies to your building before you commit.

Want to cut energy costs in your building? Book a free site survey and we will identify maintenance fixes and upgrades worth considering. See our electrical and HVAC services.