LB Insights: Energy Efficiency

Energy consumption is an essential factor in any building’s design, which means your vertical transportation assets’ energy efficiency is vital. On average, lifts and escalators contribute 3 to 8 percent of a building’s total energy consumption. To reach overall energy targets, an efficient vertical transportation system must be employed.  

When looking to buy an appliance or rent a property in the United Kingdom, you will have seen the Energy Efficiency Rating chart, these same principles of assessing energy efficiency apply to vertical transportation assets. Lifts, escalators and moving walkways are all assessed by lift manufacturers using BS EN ISO 25745 Part 1 & 2 which form the basis for identifying the energy performance of vertical transportation assets. This is how technical experts ensure your lifts, escalators and moving walkways are as energy efficient as possible.  

The two key elements when assessing energy efficiency in vertical transportation are product and component design. Manufacturers consider items such as regenerative drives, variable frequency and voltage motors when assessing energy efficiency. Additionally, LED lighting and lighter building materials are utilised to reduce energy consumption when the lift is operating. Even counterbalance design is being reconsidered to evaluate if counterbalancing lifts at less than the standard 50 percent of the car’s weight is possible to reduce power consumption.  

While lifts and escalators utilise a large amount of energy when operating, they are also energy consumers when not in use. It has been shown that lifts can even use more power when idle, this is due to standby power systems which can keep lights on and fans running when a lift is not in use. Manufacturers of newer lift systems have implemented sleep modes which shut down lighting and fans when a lift is idle. Similarly, escalators and moving walkways are beginning to include features that ensure they operate at a reduced speed or are stopped when not in use.  

It is not only new equipment that can take advantage of energy efficiency, lifts, escalators and moving walkways can be modernized with similar components and control systems to dramatically reduce energy consumption. Maintaining equipment can also improve energy efficiency overtime.  

Manufacturers, suppliers and service companies that have embraced these challenges and implemented energy saving strategies are gaining a competitive edge. Building owners are demanding greater energy efficiency – and vertical transportation is no exception.  

Is your lift, escalator or moving walkway as energy efficient as it could be? Contact Lerch Bates Europe today to get in touch with one of our technical consultants.  

Article prepared by Greg Harris, Technical Director, Lerch Bates Europe.