Carbon reduction – can it be that simple?

Buildings responsible for at least 40% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions can implement some simple tried-and-tested actions—some costing less than SG$170,000—to reduce their carbon footprint.

Here are some quick- and easy-to-implement measures that will reduce carbon use of existing structures.

1. Automatic Meter Reading
Smart Meter Reading using web-based wireless technology provides an efficient alternative to manual meter reading.
Modern databases and dashboard software instantly display and analyse energy consumption from all the buildings in a company and managers can see how much energy is being used and can focus on how much is being wasted. Automatic alerts can also warn them when energy use is spiking.

2. Regularly Review Control Settings
Heating, cooling and lighting controls left unchecked since building management systems were first installed may not accurately reflect a building’s current usage. If settings for time clocks and thermostats don’t align to building use, it is likely that power is being wasted.
For example, directly cooling after hours only to those areas where people remain at work is far more energy and cost efficient than air-conditioning the whole building to serve only a handful of people.

3. Reduce voltage
The official voltage in most Asian countries is 220V, but this can vary and in some cases, actual voltage can be up to 10% higher. To stabilize the voltage and avoid frequent equipment breakdowns and higher replacement costs, fit a regulator on the main electrical supply.

4. Good housekeeping
Dust and grime build up even in the best-run heating and ventilating systems. When grilles are blocked by dirt, fans have to work extra hard to force air through them and sensors can misread temperatures and force air conditioning to operate when it is not needed.

5. New lighting
Replacing old-fashioned lighting is one of the quickest ways to cut energy consumption and get a swift return on investment. Newer technologies such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are increasingly replacing halogen spotlights in shops, hotels and offices. They create more light with less heat, which also cuts the load on air conditioning equipment.
For bigger spaces, T5 fluorescent tubes are smaller and brighter than traditional fluorescents and have a longer life, which means lower maintenance bills.
Automatic light sensors in warehouses and other buildings, particularly in low-use areas such as escape stairs, plant and store rooms, means lights only turn on when people enter that area.

6. Free hot water
Air Conditioning units pump a huge amount of heat that has been removed from office spaces and inside buildings into the atmosphere. That waste energy can supply piping hot water for your building for free, if you fit a Variable Refrigerant Flow system.

7. Empower your staff
Changing people’s behavior can cut energy bills by 5% to 20%. Encourage staff to switch off lights and power down computers when not needed. With so much public concern about environmental issues, they are likely to welcome the opportunity to play their part.

Jonathan Berney
Head of Client Solutions
EC Harris