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Emissions from buildings

Energy costs in offices (even those newly-built or recently refurbished) are often far
higher than is required. Reducing energy use makes business sense: it saves money,
may improve comfort and increase productivity, enhances corporate reputation and
reduces GHG emissions. 1

There are nine principle end uses of energy in office buildings: 2

heating and hot water

cooling
fans, pumps and controls
humidification
lighting
office equipment
catering
other electricity
computer and communication areas

Optimising an office buildings emissions involves a wide range of factors, as illustrated

in Box 28.

Box 28. Steps in reducing emissions from office buildings

Housekeeping As a first step, simple awareness-raising and good housekeeping
(turning off lights and appliances, turning down thermostats, etc,).
Quantifying Monitor use to identify reduction opportunities.
energy use
Where metering is lacking, install additional metering, so that
consumption can be tracked (see row below on monitoring).

If there is only a single electricity or gas meter, little data is readily

available. However, it is possible to estimate consumption by
individual items of equipment, by referring to manufacturers
specifications to determine typical consumption rates and then
estimating the duration of operation.

Planning activities Check timings and temperature settings on HVAC systems. Ensure
that hours of operation are consistent with working patterns; how
soon before the working day commences should the boiler fire up?
Is it necessary or desirable to heat and light an entire floor because
one individual is working late?
Procurement Ensure that procurement decisions take account of whole life
costs; an energy saving device may cost more to purchase, but will

1CTG002: Technology Guide: Heating Control: Maximizing comfort, minimizing energy consumption (Carbon Trust)
2Energy Consumption Guide 19: Energy Use in Offices. Best Practice Programme.
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/publications
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save money, energy and emissions throughout its working life.

Also, try to match the capacity of any item of equipment with the
demand that will be placed on it, to ensure efficient operation.
Maintenance Well maintained equipment functions more efficiently. Ensure that
regular maintenance programmes are established and are
followed.
Training Ensure that staff understand how to use equipment efficiently to
minimise energy consumption.
Monitoring Track levels of consumption, by taking regular meter readings.
Investigate any unusual consumption patterns.

Metering systems can be sophisticated. Utilities companies provide

half-hourly consumption data for larger uses, and organizations
themselves can install sophisticated metering systems providing
detailed profiles of consumption. The data can be analysed to
reveal consumption patterns and identify opportunities for
reduction. The Moy Park case study demonstrates how half-hourly
meter data was used to achieve a reduction of over 30%, with
minimal capital expenditure.

Set targets Establish short and long term energy consumption targets.
Communication Ensure that people are aware of the opportunities for reducing
emissions, for example by using posters on notice boards, table-
top displays in canteens, stickers on equipment and by switches,
newsletters, etc. Ensure that energy and emissions performance is
included in inductions, briefings and on meeting agendas.
Develop a Develop an energy reduction plan, which should include all of the
reduction plan elements identified above. Assign responsibility for plan
management.

The physical characteristics of the building itself will influence energy consumption.
Existing buildings can be modified to reduce energy demand, for example by:

installing more efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems

improving thermal insulation; and
modifying to reduce solar gain.

New buildings should be designed and constructed to high standards of energy

efficiency, addressing not only energy consumption during use, but also the embodied
energy of construction materials. Additional considerations are location and orientation,
to minimise commuting distances and to ensure that the building optimises natural
lighting and ventilation. Further guidance can be found at the BRE Environmental
Assessment Method website3.

3
www.breeam.org
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In developing a building energy and emissions management programme, consideration

should be given to short, medium and long term options.
Short term Medium term Long term
raising awareness; installing a building replacing boilers and
installing metering; management air conditioning
carry out an energy survey; system; systems;
boiler and heating system improving major structural
adjustment; insulation; alterations to improve
procurement policy for refurbishing boilers ventilation, solar gain,
energy-efficient office and air conditioning insulation, etc.; and
equipment; units; and complete rebuilding or
fit push taps to reduce hot installing on-site relocation.
water use; generation.
cleaning light fittings; and
replacing inefficient lighting
(very short payback).

Box 29. Type of Buildings and Energy Savings for Heating Methods4
Type of Common Energy saving tips Benefit
building heating
method
Commercial Radiators Service boilers regularly Servicing boilers every year
and replace after 15 maintains their efficiency
years (or when it shows and longevity.
signs of inefficient
operation) 6

Electric heaters Fit Thermostatic Can be set to minimum

Radiator Valves (TRVs) temperature; lowering
Add timers and temperature by 1C can
thermostats reduce an annual heating
bill by 8-10%
Air-handling Turn off fans when
units ventilation not required;
use locally situated
thermostats
Industrial Unit heaters Only heat areas worked Improves comfort, moral
Radiant in; add controllers and and productivity
heaters timers

Fit interlock controls Switches off heating when

doors are open; reduces
waste

4 Energy Saving Fact Sheet: Heating (Carbon Trust) http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/publications

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Box 30. Type of Buildings - Energy Savings for Lighting Methods

Type of Common Energy saving tips Benefit
building lighting
method
Commercial Fluorescent Replace tungsten lamps Could save up to 75% in
overhead with plug-in compact energy
lighting fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

Choose CFLs over spot Use considerably less

and display lights energy

Industrial High bay Replace with low level More lights but lower
lighting (over lighting wattage with less emitted
5m) heat; easily controlled.