ENERGY
THE HEAT IS ON TO MAKE ENERGY SAVINGS
mark northcott, managing Director, Remeha Commercial, gives some pointers on how to achieve significant energy and carbon savings from heating with effective, affordable energy-saving measures
poverty. The impact on the public sector is also significant. Budgets already slashed by cuts to public spending must now stretch to cover increased energy bills. Amidst the confusion surrounding what some see as David Cameron’s U-turn on the green levies policy and general uncertainty over how the self-professed ‘greenest Government ever’ will prepare the nation for a low-carbon future, the case for energy efficiency has never been stronger. The International Energy Agency (IEA) names energy efficiency the ‘first fuel’ in its recently published inaugural energy efficiency market report which shows how energy savings from energy efficiency measures in the 11 IEA member countries far exceed the output from any other single fuel source. Energy consumption is directly linked with greenhouse gas emissions, so adopting energy efficiency measures not only reduces fuel bills and operating costs but helps organisations fulfil their environmental commitments. The good news for local authorities is that relatively simple, affordable energy efficiency measures will bring rapid financial savings and significantly lower the carbon footprint. Take heating, for example. Together with hot water generation, it can account for as much as sixty per cent of total
A 24
s the energy companies announce a proposed 10 per cent hike in fuel bills, concern rises over how many more householders will slip into fuel
energy use, according to the Carbon Trust, yet around half of this figure is likely to be wasted – often due to the old inefficient heating systems in place.
Replacing old boilers with a modern condensing boiler is the simplest, most cost-effective and often the only solution to achieving
rapid reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. As a general rule, building managers should look to replace any boiler over 10-15 years old with a modern condensing boiler. Today’s high-efficiency, fully-modulating condensing boilers already exceed the required efficiencies standards outlined in the Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive that is expected to come into force in 2015. Smaller, lighter, easier to install and maintain, they are highly efficient and reliable and proven to more than halve energy bills and reduce the levels of harmful greenhouse gases such as CO2
and nox by as much as 90 per cent. Smart system design is an essential Public sector sustainability • Volume 3 issue 9
component for maximum energy efficiency in boiler plant renewal and it is advisable to include an allocation for additional complementary technologies in the budget. Controls are the first point for consideration as they ensure that the boiler operates at its highest efficiency level. As a guideline, the minimum control strategy should encompass valved zone control, thermostats and timers. The Carbon Trust suggests that lowering set points by one degree could bring a reduction in an annual heating bill of up to eight per cent. Further improvements can be achieved by two-zoned temperature and time control, weather compensation, and sequential control of boilers. To achieve optimum energy efficiency
from heating, consider adding super condensing, passive energy saving technologies such as flue gas heat recovery. These devices deliver around 10
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32