More Efficient Elevators Can Lift Energy Savings, Says New Study
CHICAGO—More energy-efficient elevators can significantly reduce the costs of operating a building, but the information needed to help building owners identify the appropriate elevator system—and the savings associated with it—aren’t readily available, according to a new study published by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy {ACEEE}. According to the study, elevators and escalators make up 2% to 5% of the energy used in most buildings, but can reach as high as 50% during peak operational times. It adds that the technology exists today to reduce that consumption by 40% to as much as 75%, especially by cutting energy use between trips, when an elevator is idle. However, without a standard way to measure energy savings and a rating system to distinguish more efficient elevators, building owners may be unaware of the benefits of upgrading to a more efficient system or choosing a more efficient system for new construction.
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