Owning a multi-family dwelling can be costly and present multiple energy consumption challenges. Efficient energy management in such settings demands an innovative method that will cater to the residents’ various needs without compromising their comfort.
Especially when electricity rates in Texas are skyrocketing, having a robust plan is crucial to efficiently managing energy costs in multi-family dwellings. Technological advancements have opened a plethora of opportunities for efficient energy management. From utilizing renewable energy sources to leveraging modern energy management systems, there are numerous ways to manage and curb energy costs.
This blog will discuss the significant factors affecting energy consumption in multi-family dwellings and some practical strategies to manage it effectively.
Understanding Energy Consumption in Multi-family Dwellings
Certain factors must be considered when analyzing the means of energy consumption in multi-family dwellings. Let’s begin by categorizing energy consumption in common areas and individual units. This will help you group the areas in your apartment that consume energy the most and the least. Lobbies, hallways, gyms, and parking garages are common areas, and condos, apartments, and townhouses can be classified as individual units.
Factors Affecting Energy Consumption
Let’s discuss some factors affecting energy consumption in your multifamily properties.
- As the climate and weather conditions change, heating and cooling may increase energy consumption. The efficiency of the HVAC systems you use is crucial in controlling energy consumption.
- Lighting is another critical factor. Types of lighting, usage frequency, and volume are crucial.
- The energy consumption varies between a star-rated appliance and a standard appliance.
- Water heaters are a major culprit in increased energy consumption if improperly maintained.
- Energy usage will be higher if your multi-family dwelling has facilities like elevators, spas, or swimming pools.
Strategies to Effectively Manage Energy Costs in Multi-family Dwellings
You can implement and follow some practical methods to manage and reduce energy consumption and cost in multi-family properties. Let’s get into the details of some of those practical strategies.
1. Choosing Energy Efficient Appliances
Upgrading your existing appliances to energy-efficient ones will significantly reduce energy costs and consumption. Besides, they reduce carbon emissions, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Some of the benefits of Energy Star-rated Appliances are listed below.
- Energy Star-rated appliances are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.
- Star-rated appliances consume less energy compared to non-certified electronic appliances.
- These appliances perform better than regular ones, bringing in energy efficiency.
When purchasing energy-efficient appliances, some pointers will come in handy. For instance, select models that offer water-saving features when purchasing a dishwasher. Regarding refrigerators, look for features such as efficient compressors, automatic defrost, and enhanced insulation. In the case of washing machines, machines with high spin speed and front-loading water machines are more efficient in saving water and energy. Likewise, choose every electric appliance after considering the factors that make it far more energy efficient.
2. Utilize Renewable Energy Sources
Leveraging renewable energy to power your multi-family dwelling is a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources. Choosing renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power reduces your dependability on grid-supplied power, which will reduce utility bills and carbon footprints. Even though installing solar power systems will incur a considerably larger charge, the figures will eventually cancel out in the long run.
Before installing a solar or wind-powered renewable energy power supply system at your property, some factors must be considered. If you choose to install a powered energy system for your multi-family dwelling, evaluate the rooftop to ensure the feasibility of solar panel installation. Rule out the possibilities of shades and ensure structural integrity. Seek help from experienced solar panel installation experts to build a system that satisfies your energy needs.
Choosing to install wind turbines to extract wind energy comes with its own set of requirements. Wind turbines require bigger space than solar panels and must be placed at a certain distance from each other. Ensure you choose the right turbine size while setting up the turbines to meet your building’s energy requirements.
Community solar initiatives will benefit residents who are unable to install individual renewable energy systems. Residents can purchase solar energy from a centralized facility at affordable rates. Such community initiatives will enable residents to manage their energy costs by accessing renewable energy from a common source.
3. Implement an Efficient Energy Management Systems (EMS)
The Energy Management System is designed to monitor, manage, and optimize energy consumption in multi-family dwellings and other larger buildings. It will help users to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. Multiple models of EMS are available in the market based on customer needs.
Some significant features of EMS are listed below.
- Real-time Monitoring
- Automated Controls
- Demand Response
Energy management systems can be integrated with Building Automation Systems(BAS) to develop a complete building management facility. BAS is a system that manages the mechanical and energy systems in a building, while EMS manages energy consumption. Integrating these systems gives renewed insights into how the system works and how to enhance energy efficiency while managing consumption and costs.
The following points must be considered while choosing an EMS for your multi-family dwellings.
- Scalability
- Compatibility
- User Interface
- Vendor Support
- Cost-effectiveness
4. Enhancing Insulation and Weatherization
Proper insulation plays a crucial role in heat transfer, in or out of your building. It helps maintain a comfortable temperature, regulating the need for overheating or cooling the building. This will facilitate improved energy efficiency and lower utility bills in multi-family residences.
Let’s look at some of the insulation materials that are commonly used.
- Fiberglass
- Cellulose
- Spray Foam
- Rigid Foam
- Mineral Wool
Adequate weathering techniques will prevent air leakage and moisture intrusions. Apply weatherstripping around doors and windows and seal cracks and gaps around them. Install door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors to block drafts and improve energy efficiency. Other weathering techniques include sticking window films that control heat transfer and sealing ducts to improve the efficiency of HVAC systems.
Conduct professional audits to identify the areas you need to insulate or weatherize in your buildings. Such audits will give you a precise understanding of deficiencies in your multi-family dwellings. The findings can be utilized to take proper measures to rectify the errors and maximize energy savings and resident comfort.
