Additional savings justify building services energy appraisal.

According to ABB Drives, significant energy savings are achievable not only through technology, but also by thinking differently. One example is an NHS Trust initiative to change staff behaviour to save energy.

Doctors, nurses and other staff are encouraged to turn off unused equipment, switch off lights when not needed and to close doors to stop heat loss. Overall, it is estimated the NHS could save some £35 million a year by implementing this zero-cost approach. Add to this automatic energy savings and the benefits multiply.

Savings from HVAC

Energy efficient lighting is important, but the single most effective automatic energy saving is achieved through the installation of variable-speed drives (VSD). They offer great scope for cutting the energy used by pumps, air handling units, extraction fans and compressors that make up the HVAC services that run 24/7.

RETAIL ENVIRONMENTS

It is widely estimated that electric motors consume 65 percent of the energy used in commerce and industry.  A VSD can dramatically cut this energy use, in both public and retail buildings. The Carbon Trust estimates that a twenty percent saving in energy is equivalent to an eight percent increase in sales.

Balancing HVAC load with demand is the way to keep these energy costs in check, best done with VSDs working with energy efficient motors. Linked to a building management system, they can provide the best conditions for the shop, staff and customers without wasting energy.

SWIMMING POOLS

Another sector is swimming pool halls. They are among the most energy intensive buildings constructed, due to the large volume of water in the pool, water that continually needs to be circulated, heated, treated, filtered, topped up and replaced.

After installing ABB VSDs Sandcastle Water Park in Blackpool is saving money and energy. Following an energy appraisal, it was found that running costs were nearly £33,000 per annum.

Once four ABB VSDs were connected, the circulation system was run in both a three pump and four pump configurations. An original power consumption of 34.8 kW fell to 21 kW for three pumps and 17.5 kW for four pumps, giving an estimated saving of £13,000 and £16,000 respectively.

Payback time

What can a typical ABB 11 kW HVAC drive with a purchase price of £1,145 save in a year?

-Running the motor at 80 percent load = £2,599 saving -Time clock to switch on motor only when needed = £877 saving -Eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances = £217 saving -That’s a total of £3,493 a year -a payback of only four months. And the energy savings will continue every year for the life of the VSD.

Contact us if you are interested in an energy appraisal

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