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Facilities management Case study
It’s often
thought that
there is little
to be done in
terms of energy
savings with
older buildings,
but we found
that basic
conservation
measures
can have a
significant
impact
– Tony King
An assessor was brought in to review the HVAC system at the Tower and propose energy-saving measures.
F
acilities management at the Tower of London has and help commercial buildings to increase their energy
come a long way since William the Conqueror efficiency, King was determined to steal a march on
appointed the first constable there in the 11th incoming air conditioning legislation, bringing in an
century. The prisoners may be gone but Tony assessor earlier this year – well ahead of the deadline.
King, head of maintenance and facilities, does have the This gave plenty of time to put efficiency measures in
Crown Jewels under his care – not to mention the two place, and even to reduce energy bills before a heavy
million visitors who flood through the gates each year. tourist season.
King knows the Tower intimately in its present ‘As a self-funding charity, we are affected by the rise
Savings
configuration – but also how it has changed over in energy costs and we were aware that inspections
Big cuts in
the years. ‘The Duke of Wellington, who was also a of the air conditioning plant could make significant
energy and
constable, could be considered one of the first FM- cost savings,’ said King. ‘It’s often thought that there
CO
2
emissions
minded managers of the Tower,’ he says. ‘The Tower’s is little to be done in terms of energy savings with
moat has been dry since 1830 after he deemed it a older buildings, but we found that basic conservation
The Waterloo block’s
total electricity
health hazard and drained it.’ measures can have a significant impact.’
consumption in 2007
As late as 1960 the Tower still housed Wellington’s The building gets its main heating from a range
was just over 1m kWh,
original barracks, Waterloo, with 1,500 residing or of boilers in the old hospital block basement. An
costing £75,750 based on
a tariff of 7.5p/kWh.
working within the Tower’s walls. Today, across its underground constant temperature circuit leads to a
Gas consumed in
numerous buildings, there remain only around 150 header in a roof void, where a constant temperature
2007 was just under
residents and 200 staff – but in King’s care are also pump works for the air handling units (AHUs). 950,000kWh, costing
countless treasures and antiquities. The roof void is a far cry from the darkened,
£23,711, based on
2.5p/kWh.
Priceless exhibits, including the Jewels and regal respectful exhibit areas on the lower floors. Light filters
costumes, require a constant temperature. Ensuring in from several large windows to reveal AHU pipes and
Of the total £99,000
electricity and gas
that the plant keeps the building cool is of major heating ducts – some only inches in diameter, others
expenditure, it took
importance, and efficiency has a huge impact on more than a foot across; all are now well lagged. King £60,000 to run the
energy bills. But King, who arrived at the Tower 10 says that his M&E team had been operating what they
heating, ventilation and
air conditioning system.
years ago, had a problem. thought was a well-proven preventative maintenance
‘The plant was last refurbished just before I came plan, so they would change the roof cavity air filters on
The HVAC survey from
Efficient Air estimated
here and it was probably installed 15 to 20 years before a predetermined basis. ‘But we noticed that sometimes
that, by following report
that. It would break down because there had been they were as black as they could get, and it was all recommendations, there
certain neglect on the M&E side. If a chunk of the because of recent building works nearby. So we should
could be a 22 per cent
saving on kWh to run
building falls off, I can cordon off the area. But if I have changed the filters more frequently.’
the HVAC system. This
have a heating or electrical failure, I usually have to This is where the real value of an air conditioning equates to around 37 per
shut the building down.’ assessment comes in, he explains. Current assessment
cent cost savings and
also an annual reduction
Attention to planned preventative maintenance led legislation is the minimum requirement. If you have
of carbon dioxide
to an improvement but efficiency of plant was still an a lot of plant under building management system emissions of 236 tonnes.
issue. As part of a package of initiatives to encourage control, then you would probably want equipment >
www.cibsejournal.com October 2009 CIBSE Journal 41
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