Maintenance and refurbishment must be part of an effective energy policy
Jim Dainty argues that Government targets for reducing carbon emissions cannot be achieved without effective maintenance of building-services equipment and using the opportunities presented by refurbishment to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.
With the creation of the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK committed itself to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80% (from 1990 levels) by 2050. Many factors that, in combination, will contribute to meeting this target — from the use of fuel-efficient cars to the expansion of renewable energy sources and change in each of our established behaviours as individuals. The effective maintenance of building services and the refurbishment of existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint will be key to reducing emissions significantly. These measures should be the minimum steps taken by companies, as part of their contribution to a solution CarbonFree, an organisation that researches and analyses alternative energy related fields and publishes the results, quotes figures on its website (www.carbonfree.co.uk) that in the European Union, energy consumption for buildings-related services accounts for between 33% and 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption. In addition, energy used for heating, lighting and powering buildings can account for up to half of a country’s total energy consumption. Along with the environmental and social responsibility reasons, reducing the amount of carbon a building emits quite simply makes sense. It is one of the fastest and most effective ways for a company to save money. The businesses that take such green measures will also improve their brand and reputation by enforcing their commitment to tackling climate change. Building-services providers, like Inviron, can offer businesses and organisations a host of solutions, from the innovative to the straightforward, which will effectively maintain systems like lighting, heating and air conditioning to reduce the carbon footprint of their buildings. With the UK in recession, businesses in all industries have to reduce costs as a priority. In the medium to long term, investment in energy-efficient methods will allow cutting costs in energy bills, rather than cutting costs in critical business areas, such as operational costs or even in staff cuts. An example of how energy efficiency can save businesses money and carbon emissions can be seen in Inviron’s support of E.ON, one of the UK’s largest energy suppliers. In its continuing efforts to lower CO2 emissions and improve the energy performance of its buildings, E.ON has introduced a number of initiatives, such as, smart metering, engaging the Carbon Trust to survey buildings and undertaking building thermal imaging. Together, Inviron’s national facilities management team and E.ON successfully operated a pilot scheme at Newstead Court in Nottingham, to analyse E.ON’s energy usage. This led to further reductions in its impact on the environment and a reduction in its carbon footprint. The scheme saw Inviron first analyse the building’s gas and electricity consumption records, which were reviewed and input into the energy analysis program CIBSE TM 22 ‘Energy assessment and reporting method’. By applying the information to this programme, the building’s energy consumption was benchmarked against ‘typical’ energy usage for a building of its size. The data was then analysed, and Inviron was able assist E.ON with further energy-saving opportunities. It is crucial that the controls of lighting, heating, air conditioning and other systems, are set up correctly in the first place. The Carbon Trust, which was created by the Government as a independent company to position the UK as a low-carbon economy, estimates that 90% of all building control systems are inadequate and cost industry and commerce over £500 million a year in additional energy costs. Once these building controls are correctly configured, they will prevent unwanted or out-of-hours operation of systems, reduce running costs, energy consumption and pollution associated with energy use, as well as limit excessive wear and tear on systems — thereby minimise maintenance, repair and replacement costs. Along with maintenance, the refurbishment of existing buildings has an important role in helping the UK meet its long-term target for reducing emissions. The refurbishment of buildings presents an opportunity to improve energy efficiency. While refurbishing existing buildings may not be as glamorous as fitting out a brand new building, it is equally, if not more important. New buildings are built to higher standards of energy efficiency than ever before, but older buildings have to be upgraded to reduce their carbon footprint. The refurbishment can include the installation of advanced technology such as solar panels, winds turbines or biomass boilers. Meanwhile, simple but energy-efficient methods can also be adopted, such as fitting low-energy light bulbs and double-glazed windows, buying office furniture that is made from wood from sustainable sources, and correctly insulating walls and roofs. Improving energy efficiency by refitting an older building will often have a faster effect on reducing carbon emissions than what can be achieved with a brand new building. Meanwhile, retrofitting (adding new technology or features to older systems) will also make a positive impact on reducing a building’s carbon footprint. In the long term, by completing an energy-efficiency retrofit, businesses will be able to achieve the following. • Lower energy costs. • Protect against future increases in energy costs. • Improve comfort for building users. • Cut system repair and maintenance costs. • Increase overall energy efficiency. • Reduce the risk of costly emergency repairs. In summary, it is the combination of both effective and innovative maintenance of building-services equipment and using the opportunities presented by refurbishment and retrofitting that will greatly reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. This, with the actions of owners, occupiers and other involved in the built environment, will help the UK meet its target to reduce carbon emissions. Jim Dainty is contracts manager with Inviron's national facilities-management division.
he maintenance and refurbishment of buildings are both crucial to reducing the UK’s carbon emissions — as illustrated by Endeavour House of Suffolk County, for which Inviron is responsible for mechanical and electrical maintenance.
The maintenance and refurbishment of buildings are both crucial to reducing the UK’s carbon emissions — as illustrated by the sensitive restoration of the historic Carvers Warehouse (right) in Manchester to provide six storeys of office space.
