Elevator energy optimization is important in reducing energy usage in commercial and residential buildings. Elevators are one of the most significant sources of electricity consumption, accounting for up to 45% of total building energy use. To reduce this energy demand, building owners can consider several strategies designed to improve elevator efficiency and reduce power consumption.
One effective strategy is installing elevators with modern, efficient drives and offering improved performance and lower operational costs than their outdated counterparts. Elevators fitted with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) can save up to 50 percent in energy compared to traditional models. Additionally, VFDs help regulate the elevator’s speed, preventing drastic changes between floors and providing a smoother ride.
Other energy-saving strategies include installing occupancy sensors, upgrading LED lighting systems, and implementing Elevator software solutions that monitor elevator usage and detect inefficiencies. These software solutions can help reduce power consumption by up to 70 percent. Elevator monitoring solutions use AI and analytics to provide actionable insights into performance, allowing facility managers to quickly identify any issues that could lead to increased energy consumption.
By taking advantage of these strategies, building owners can experience significant energy costs and carbon emissions savings. Elevator energy optimization is important in reducing electricity usage and helping the environment. With the careful implementation and regular maintenance, you can ensure that your building operates as efficiently as possible.
Here are some strategies to achieve this:
Intelligent tracking
Submetering can help you determine how much energy your elevators are using. This involves installing data logging equipment to measure current and voltage in upcoming electrical lines. Submetering offers the most accurate measurements, and some utilities will subsidize energy efficiency upgrades depending on the results. Some companies disregard submetering because of the initial investment—meters can cost from $2,500 to $6,000—but it’s worth considering for its many benefits.
Finding the waste
Components that use the most energy should be closely examined. The drive system is where most energy can be saved in many cases. For example, older drives like motor generator sets are constantly running and generate a lot of heat, requiring extra energy to cool down.
Every bit counts
From a safety, financial, technological, and efficiency perspective, there are many benefits to upgrading elevator systems. A full upgrade can cost upwards of $120,000 to $130,000. Upgrading elevator components over time can prevent owners from forking out a ton of money at once. If a full-scale upgrade is not in the budget, smaller changes can be made without gaining huge expenses.
Lighting and buttons:
Lighting is an efficient way to reduce electricity consumption. In addition to being green, replacing elevator car lighting and push buttons with LEDs can save money.
Starter replacement:
This upgrade can save elevator owners an extra $300-$500 annually. A new starter is necessary to guarantee protection against poor-quality power, which can lead to brownouts.
Controllers:
Controllers that feature a standby mode are another great way to cut costs. Standby mode enables an elevator to “sleep” or shut off when not in use, when a passenger pushes the call button, the elevator powers back up.
Destination dispatch:
This system permits passengers to enter their desired floor onto a screen or tablet before entering the elevator. The elevator will use this information to group riders by floor, directing them to a particular elevator.
Regenerative drive:
A regenerative drive recycles the energy it produces while the elevator is slowing down or braking and feeds it back into the building.
Gearless modernization:
A gearless modernization eliminates the motor generator, which decreases noise levels and power consumption. With strict code requirements, upgrades and modernization can ensure that Elevator Analytics are up-to-date and safe to use.
New technology features help cut back wait and travel time and increase efficiency and reliability. The benefits of modernization are evident, and through this process, businesses can be guaranteed that their elevator systems are safe, reliable, and cost-efficient.
