Commercial Buildings Winter Energy-Efficiency Checklist

As winter approaches, commercial buildings face a familiar challenge: rising heating demand, fluctuating utility costs, and increased strain on HVAC and other building systems. For facility leaders, preparing for cold weather isn't just about keeping equipment running. It's an opportunity to improve building performance, reduce energy waste, maintain occupant comfort, and protect critical assets.

A proactive winter energy-efficiency strategy, supported by building data and preventive maintenance, can help commercial facilities reduce unnecessary energy use, improve reliability, and manage long-term operating costs without compromising safety or compliance.

Use this winter energy-efficiency checklist to identify practical steps for preparing HVAC systems, building envelopes, controls, lighting, and other critical building systems for colder weather.

Commercial Building Winter Energy Efficiency Checklist

1. Prepare and Optimize HVAC & Mechanical Systems

a. Complete Seasonal HVAC Tune-Ups & Safety Checks

• Perform a full HVAC system inspection, including burners or heat strips, heat exchangers, coils, and combustion safety controls.
• Check and replace air filters. Dirty filters reduce airflow, force longer run times, and erode system efficiency.
• Test and calibrate safety devices (high-limit switches, flame sensors, carbon monoxide detectors).

b. Optimize Building Controls & Heating Schedules

• Review and adjust thermostat schedules to match occupancy - avoid unnecessary heating during off-hours.
• Implement temperature setbacks in unoccupied zones, but maintain a minimum "freeze-protect" setpoint in perimeter areas.
• If using a building automation system (BAS), enable alarm thresholds for unexpected temperature drift or short cycling.

c. Check Economizers & Ventilation Settings

• Confirm economizer dampers function correctly; economizers can bring in "free cooling" when outdoor conditions allow.
• Adjust outside air intake scheduling to reduce unnecessary ventilation load during extreme cold, but maintain required air exchange for indoor air quality per ASHRAE 62.1.

d. Protect Hydronic & Piping Systems From Cold Weather

• Insulate all exposed piping, especially in unconditioned areas such as mechanical rooms or rooftop penthouses.
• Where needed, apply heat-trace or glycol protection to pipes that run through cold zones.
• Verify recirculation pump schedules and flow rates to prevent stagnation or freezing.

2. Reduce Heat Loss Through the Building Envelope

a. Identify & Seal Air Leaks

• Conduct a walk-through to identify air leaks around windows, doors, loading docks, and rooftop penetrations.
• Seal gaps with weatherstripping, door sweeps, or caulk. Reinforce insulation in walls, roofs, and overhangs.

b. Check Air Barrier & Insulation Performance

• Consider thermal imaging or blower-door testing to spot infiltration paths.
• For buildings subject to energy codes: IECC 2024 tightens air-leakage requirements; recent updates include allowed rates as low as 0.25 cfm/ft² for certain commercial envelope classifications. ^[³]
• Ensure ductwork is properly sealed with mastic or UL-rated foil tape.

c. Inspect Exterior Doors, Loading Docks & Openings

• Inspect loading dock doors, vestibules, and entryways; add or repair seals to minimize infiltration.
• Use insulated panels, draft curtains, or air curtains to reduce thermal stress on perimeter zones.

3. Lighting, Controls & Electrical Efficiency

• Transition or verify that lighting is LED throughout, if not done - LEDs have much lower heat output and higher efficacy.
• Install occupancy sensors, daylight controls, and/or daylight harvesting where feasible.
• Audit after-hours loads: conduct a "plug load" assessment, and identify devices or circuits that remain active unnecessarily. Use smart power strips or schedule power-downs.

4. Monitor Building Energy Use & Performance

• Enable or improve metering at key points: HVAC, lighting, and major systems. Data allows you to benchmark and verify savings.
• Track baseline energy use prior to winter, then monitor through the heating season to catch anomalies.
• Document all adjustments (filter changes, thermostat changes, insulation repairs) for future repeatability.

5. Review Energy Codes, Safety & Incentive Opportunities

a. Energy Codes & Standards

• Use ASHRAE 90.1-2022 as a guide: the latest version includes expanded efficiency pathways, updated equipment ratings, and new envelope requirements that may influence winter performance decisions. ^[¹,²]
• Align with building performance codes if applicable, especially in jurisdictions with carbon or energy benchmarking laws.

b. Prepare for Winter Safety & Operational Risks

• Confirm compliance with local fire codes, OSHA guardrail requirements, and mechanical room safety protocols.
• Prepare for freeze risk: establish a "cold snap plan" including alarm thresholds, freeze setpoints, and emergency heating strategies.

c. Identify Available Energy-Efficiency Incentives

• Check for utility or state programs that incentivize winter efficiency upgrades (e.g., insulation improvements, control upgrades).
• Many utilities offer rebates for tune-ups, LED retrofits, and BAS optimizations-these can significantly reduce first costs. ^[⁵]

Build a More Efficient, Resilient Building This Winter

By proactively preparing your systems, tightening your envelope, and deploying data-driven controls, you can mitigate risk, boost efficiency, enhance reliability, and reduce long-term energy costs-all while meeting code and compliance requirements. Optimization doesn't have to compromise safety or comfort.

Contact Mantis today to build a winter energy plan that works as hard as you do.

Key Takeaways

• Inspect early, act early: Preventive maintenance before winter can unlock big efficiency gains.
• Seal and insulate aggressively: Tightening your thermal envelope reduces heat loss and stabilizes comfort.
• Optimize HVAC control and scheduling: Smart setbacks, calibrated thermostats, and automation drive meaningful savings.
• Monitor and verify: Use data to catch inefficiencies, ensure safety, and document improvements.
• Plan for compliance: Align winter prep with current codes (e.g., ASHRAE 90.1-2022, IECC 2024) and utility program requirements.

FAQ

Q: How much energy can commercial buildings save by optimizing HVAC systems for winter?

A: With proper winter tune-up - including filter replacement, coil cleaning, economizer optimization, and setback scheduling - commercial buildings can reduce heating energy consumption by 5-15%, depending on size, envelope condition, and control maturity. ^[⁴]

Q: What energy codes affect commercial buildings during winter?

A: Yes. IECC 2024 includes stricter air-leakage limits (as low as 0.25 cfm/ft² in some commercial applications). ^[³]
ASHRAE 90.1-2022 also updates envelope requirements and efficiency interactions.

Q: How can commercial buildings use HVAC setbacks without freezing pipes?

A: Absolutely-with careful planning. Maintain freeze-protection setpoints, insulate vulnerable piping, use heat trace where needed, and configure BAS alarms for temperature drift.

Q: How can a building automation system (BAS) improve winter energy efficiency?

A: A BAS can automate schedules, manage setbacks, monitor alarms, and provide trend data. This increases efficiency while maintaining occupant comfort and safety.

Q: How should facilities measure winter energy-efficiency improvements?

A: Establish a pre-winter energy baseline. After implementing measures, use submeters, BAS trend logs, and operational records to validate performance and savings.

Sources

1. ASHRAE - ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2022: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
2. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) - Commercial HVAC Efficiency Standards & Updates
3. International Code Council (ICC) - 2024 IECC Commercial Provisions: Air Leakage Requirements
4. ENERGY STAR - Guide to Energy-Efficient HVAC Strategies for Commercial Buildings
5. U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR - Commercial Building Winter Energy-Saving Tips & Incentive Opportunities