Energy Saving Tips

April

comes from ....http://www.energyland.emsd.gov.hk/eng/tips/saving_cat1.htm


Category 1 Measures: Housekeeping

Here are some simple measures that can be undertaken today to kick-start an energy efficiency programme for your organisation.

Air Conditioning (AC) and Ventilation


Minimise Energy Use

Turn off AC in the facility/room right after use. Affix "Save Energy" stickers near the exit as a reminder.

Use ventilation or fans where possible, especially during cool seasons.

Relocate where possible seats under direct sunlight that require strong AC for thermal comfort.

Organise "Dress Casual Day" on a weekly basis where the AC is adjusted to a slightly higher temperature.

Dress lightly to minimize use of AC. In cool/cold days, remove your suit or jacket once entering indoor. Thermal comfort achieved through wearing thick clothes under very low indoor temperature is simply not energy efficient.

Avoid pre-cooling. Switch on centralized AC system not more than 30 minutes in advance in the morning. For units serving smaller areas, such as room coolers, you should switch them on only when you arrive in the facility/room.

Turn off some or all AC 15 minutes before leaving the facility/room.

Turn off some AC units when the occupancy is low (e.g. on Saturdays or after normal office hours).

For premises where the AC systems are provided with heaters, avoid operating the heaters when the outdoor air temperature is above 20oC.




Use Energy Efficiently

Preferred AC temperature set-point should be 25.5oC when the outdoor air temperature is above 25.5oC for acceptable comfort conditions of least energy consumption. Adjust the air distribution or rate of fresh air supply to an appropriate level when necessary.

Install thermometers to monitor the room temperature. Reduce the AC output (i.e. raising temperature set-point, setting to "low cool" instead of "high cool", etc.) if the temperature constantly stays below 25.5oC.

Set the AC system to the most energy-efficient operational mode when the outdoor air temperature is below 25.5oC. When necessary, adjust AC temperature set-point to achieve comfort conditions.

Set fan coil unit at "low" fan speed as usual setting. Use higher fan speed rather than decreasing the temperature setting to cater for increased cooling demand when necessary.

Set room cooler or packaged air conditioner at "low cool". Where possible, use fan to improve air flow in order to achieve thermal comfort.

Clean AC and dust filter regularly.

Establish a maintenance programme to ensure AC is operating efficiently.

Replace as necessary room coolers with new, more energy efficient models/systems affixed with Grade 1 or Grade 2 Energy Label.




Minimise Energy Loss

Keep windows and doors closed to minimise air infiltration when AC is running.

Lower window blinds or curtains to reduce direct sunlight during summer time.

Lower window blinds or curtains before leaving the facility/room to reduce direct sunlight on the following day.




Lighting

Turn off lighting if it is not needed. Affix "Save Energy" stickers near the switch as a reminder.

Turn off some lighting when the occupancy is low (e.g. on Saturdays).

Cut down number of lamps/luminaires in area over-lit by artificial lighting and in perimeter area sufficiently lit by natural daylight.

Turn off lighting in public areas (e.g. pantries, lavatories, circulation space etc.) during lunch and after office hours.



Computers

Set PCs to hibernation mode or standby mode where applicable.

Turn off monitors during lunch and after office hours, or when you are away from the workplace and after office hours.

Turn off the monitor the time you leave your office even for a short meeting. Using "screen saver" does not save much energy (less than 10%).

Turn off the master switch of printers connected to PCs when not in use.



Servers

For good heat dissipation, maintain adequate air flow around computer equipment rather than reducing the room temperature. Monitor indoor temperature of server rooms (e.g. by installing thermometers) to avoid excessive cooling.

During period of low power demand from servers, such as on Saturday afternoon and on public holidays, consider switching off some AC in server rooms.

Where possible, consider turning off non-essential servers at night, on Saturday afternoon and on public holidays.



Office Equipment

Set office equipment to energy saving mode during office hours. Turn them off after use.

Unplug equipment chargers and adapters from socket outlets when not in use.

Identify and replace equipment that is not operating well e.g. fickle lights, noisy fans and leaking water from air-conditioners. They usually consume more energy.

Replace, where appropriate, CRT monitors with more energy-efficient LCD monitors.

Replace, where appropriate, electrical appliances and office equipment with more energy-efficient models affixed with Energy Label.

Arrange for the last-man-out to check and turn off all AC, lighting and office equipment.



Water

Water uses energy in being filtered, cleaned, transported and pumped to your premises.

Conserve water.
Shut off tap properly after use.


Lifts and Escalators

Encourage using the stairs (for one or two floors up or down) rather than taking the lift. Affix "Save Energy" stickers near lifts as a reminder.

Shut down some of the lifts and escalators during non-peak hours.

Switch off the lighting and ventilation fan inside the lift car when the lift is in standby/idle mode.




SPECIAL TIPS FOR FACILITY MANAGERS

Facility managers in charge of non-office premises, such as theatres and indoor game halls, should also observe the following:

Keep windows and doors shut for all air-conditioned areas.

Avoid pre-cooling. If pre-cooling is necessary, switch on AC not more than 15 minutes in advance.

Use "high" fan mode, rather than lowering the temperature, to provide adequate ventilation when high level of occupancy is expected.

Turn off some lighting and AC units when the occupancy is low.

Turn off AC and lighting right after use.

Turn off AC (and use ventilation as necessary) when the venue is closed to the public.

Turn on exterior lighting only when required.

Turn off unnecessary lifts and escalators during non-peak hours and when the venue is closed to the public.




GET PEOPLE INTO ACTION

Now that you have learnt about the various housekeeping practices, how do you get your colleagues into action? Here are some tips that could help you smoothen the process.

Get support from senior management. Where possible, senior management should announce an energy efficiency and conservation policy. Senior management should also demonstrate commitment to making the policy a success

Explain your energy policy and housekeeping practices (and an incentive or encouragement scheme as appropriate) to all staff through briefing sessions, staff newsletters, or other communication channels such as notice boards or emails.

Affix "Save Energy" stickers at critical locations e.g. switches, doors, exits, lifts and escalators as a reminder.

Create a system to keep track of organisational performance, both quantitative and qualitative, in energy saving and benchmark results against the targets set.

Organise forums or brainstorm sessions to identify areas of inefficiency and to develop new ideas for energy saving.

Remind all staff to check that all lighting, air conditioners, fans and office equipment (including photocopiers, network printers, air cleaners etc.) are switched off if he/she is the last person to leave the premises.

Assign designated officers to regularly inspect public areas and workplaces of staff and check adequacy and effectiveness of housekeeping measures (e.g. check the temperature setting of thermostats, check if office lights are off during lunch, check whether unnecessary lights are turned off after office hours, etc.)

Hold regular (bi-weekly) meetings with designated officers to report on the housekeeping measures.

Conduct walk-through every quarter to identify areas requiring improvement.

Continuously keep track of energy consumption pattern of venues and tighten energy saving measures if necessary.

Communicate the energy saving measures to staff, make them aware of energy consumption, and get them committed to good energy saving practices.

Carry out energy audit annually.