21 SUSTAINABILITY
according to Rycraft that’s just the beginning: “We are continually working to reduce our CO2 emissions even further.” The centre is heated by air handling units (AHUs), which heat
and circulate air around the building using the existing ventilation system. These were regularly in use for longer than they needed to be. The Carbon Trust suggested making sure the operating hours of the AHUs matched the opening hours of the centre, reducing the amount of energy wasted. It was also found that some ventilation units were unnecessary, and as a result the centre was able to switch them off altogether. As Middleton Grange had already planned to focus on the
lighting, Rycraft asked the Carbon Trust for advice specifically looking at how this area could be improved. The existing internal tungsten-halogen floodlights were removed, as they consumed large amounts of energy without adding much to the lighting levels. The centre also swapped the light fittings for more efficient alternatives, and installed passive infrared sensors (PIR) so that
the lights are now only used when needed. It has also developed a simple, one-page environmental policy statement for staff throughout the centre to use. Middleton Grange has since been awarded the Green
Environmental Standard for Property Management by EcoPerspective, which works with businesses to reduce their environmental impacts. The centre is currently working towards the Gold Standard. Future plans to continue the suggestions of the Carbon Trust
include insulating the pipes throughout the building to retain heat, and an ongoing training programme to raise awareness amongst staff of their contribution to energy efficiency. “Through these measures we are running a more cost effective business and dramatically reducing Middleton Grange’s impact on the environment,” says Rycraft.
BUTTERMARKET Situated in the heart of Ipswich, the Buttermarket shopping
centre has an annual energy bill of £128,000, equating to more than 960 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The centre contacted the Carbon Trust for advice to help prioritise measures within its limited budget. Colin Roberts, centre manager at the Buttermarket shopping
centre, also sought the Carbon Trust’s advice. The Buttermarket shopping centre hosts both local and national
traders including high street names TK Maxx, Boots, TJ Hughes and New Look. With 500 members of staff, the centre trades between 7.30 and 18.30 Monday to Friday with extended hours on a Saturday and reduced hours on a Sunday. Spread over 280,000 sq ft, the centre was originally built in 1992. With an annual energy bill of £128,000, equating to more than
960 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, the centre contacted the Carbon Trust for expert advice to build on the progress it had made in identifying energy saving opportunities in order to help prioritise measures within its limited budget. The Carbon Trust tailored action plan for the company included
the following recommendations: Create a formal action plan and strategy for achieving further
energy savings. Keep this regularly updated and managed by an energy committee and include monthly electricity and gas consumption figures. To improve staff awareness, these figures should also be published via existing notice boards Begin a lighting awareness campaign to ensure that all staff are
aware of potential savings, are making good use of natural light and are switching off lighting in unoccupied areas. Automatic lighting controllers could also be considered to reduce wastage. Bulbs should be replaced by energy efficient ones. Fit time switches to vending machines which are currently on 24/7 despite not all serving perishable foods. Within just one year, the centre has implemented over half of
the suggested actions including fitting lighting controls and time switches to vending machines. It was estimated that if all prioritised measures were implemented the centre would make an annual saving of more than 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide and cost savings of £19,366.
Colin Roberts, centre manager, explains: “Every member of
our team is fully committed to this project and we will continue to implement the recommendations with the aim of making the full potential savings.”
Find out more: For more information, please contact the author:
graham.parker@
jldmedia.com
www.shopping-centre.co.uk June 2011 SHOPPING CENTRE
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