Seven ways smart property owners can achieve energy savings mandated by law

Experts have proposed practical energy saving measures that can help building owners comply with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Law.

Lylah Ledonio, executive director of Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) and chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) Real Estate Committee said there are practical ways building owners can easily adopt. Here are some of the suggestions from real estate developers, landlords and design experts.

• Work with your tenants and occupiers to purposely turn off lights and airconditioning during slow hours. Install sensors that turn off the lights and turn down airconditioning when a room is unoccupied. Moreover, modify the number of energy-using devices within a designated space.
• Appoint an energy efficiency and conservation champion who will get up to speed on the latest available technologies and strategies, seek professional help, and measure and track energy use digitally. The energy law mandates that an establishment using 500,000 kilowatt-hours annually or more must hire a certified energy conservation officer, while those using 4 million kWh annually or more must include a certified energy manager in the organization.
• Focus on components that use up the most energy: lighting and cooling. Use energy-rated materials like LED lights. Review the airconditioning system and prioritize installing newer, more energy efficient models. A landlord may want to inspect doors and windows to see if the seals are intact or need replacement.
• If you own an older building, consider retrofitting it to achieve energy savings in an efficient least-cost way. Analyze the efficiencies of the existing electrical and mechanical systems and review the building envelope to determine the level of heat penetration and ways to reduce this
• If you are constructing a new building, go for a green-rated design. Prioritize the health and well-being of building occupants by providing views, reducing heat and thermal discomfort, and utilizing non-toxic materials. A three-star building rated under the BERDE system will cost no more money than a non-rated building.
• Consider sourcing your renewable energy requirements from producers of geothermal, solar and other green sources.
• Futureproof your rental revenues by providing highly energy-efficient surroundings. Because energy laws have been in effect in the West for 40 or so years now, many multinationals headquartered in key global cities value sustainable spaces. The benefits of these spaces include lower operational costs and better health for occupants. They also command higher resale value.