When winter is approaching, many building managers know that they can expect heating costs to go up significantly. But the increase in your electric and heating bill doesn't have to break the bank. There are things that you can do to make your office HVAC system more efficient to help offset some of your energy needs.

Get an HVAC and Heating Inspection

First of all, call in your heating installation and repair contractor to make sure that your HVAC system is working as well as it can. For one, you may need to replace filters that are clogged and preventing efficient airflow. Your HVAC contractor might also look at your ductwork to address any air leaks. As far as your heating source itself is concerned, a heating contractor like those at Sparks Refrigeration can inspect the unit and refill any fluids, while also checking that the thermostat is working correctly.

Consider Adding Energy Efficient Heating Tools

Right before winter is a great option to consider adding new heating control tools. For an office space, a tool that's really helpful is an occupancy sensor. It can be set to crank up the heat when more people are in the office and then adjust to a lower setting when the office is empty. You could also program your thermostat to turn off after business hours are over. Other heating control tools that could be helpful are an economizer or heat pump. Both of these add-ons help move air in and out of the building to boost your heating power.

Evaluate Your Insulation

Another thing that's important to inspect is your insulation. There are some key aspects here. Your roofing insulation is a big area to invest in; you want to make sure that heat isn't rising and then dissipating from a leaky roof. Your building's corners may also be another spot where air can leak through the seams. An energy auditor can perform testing to tell you where the most energy is being lost.

Review Energy Saving Practices

You should also review energy practices with the whole office. Discuss your expectations that employees make sure the doors and windows are shut. Talk about thermostat use; are employees allowed to change the temperature settings?

Consider Getting Heaters for Individual Use

Still, even if you have a great office heating system, there is some individual difference in the temperatures they will find comfortable. You could try leaving your heater at a lower setting overall and then providing personal heating fans to employees who are still chilly.