Energy Conservation Measures

The Government’s 2050 net zero carbon strategy recommends a ‘fabric first’ approach to reduce the operational energy use of buildings. Newly constructed buildings are designed to be more energy efficient, but with 80% of 2050 buildings already built, there is a priority to decarbonise existing stock. Making improvements to building fabric not only reduces energy loss and improves internal comfort, it also means that the capacity of any new heating or cooling infrastructure can be reduced. We have experience in delivering building fabric improvements from simple measures such as draught proofing, cavity wall and roof insulation through to more complex measures such as glazing replacement and full building façade upgrade projects.

Significant technological advancements in efficiency, reliability and performance of HVAC technologies and the introduction of sophisticated controls replacing low-efficiency legacy technologies, we can reap the benefits of lower energy spend and maintenance requirements, and reduced carbon emissions.

Overall efficiency of low carbon heat generation can be reduced if the distribution system isn’t correctly insulated, resulting in excessive heat loss & poor control which reduces efficiency. Energy surveys can identify areas for improvement and calculate the carbon & energy savings they will deliver.

BEMS are essential in ensuring that internal comfort conditions are delivered as energy efficiently as possible. A good quality BEMS oversees the operation of your building's energy systems, utilising data to monitor performance, creating a cycle of continuous improvement. We can upgrade, optimise and expand BEMS, enhance control strategies, and introduce additional sensors to continually monitor essential areas.

Upgrading fluorescent and incandescent lighting to modern LED fittings with intelligent controls can deliver energy savings of 50-60% whilst reducing carbon emissions. Additional benefits include improved lighting levels, short return on investment, and significantly reduced maintenance costs.

The Governments net zero carbon strategy has a focus on replacing on-site fossil fuel usage with heat pump technology. Improving hydraulic distributions systems to optimise operating temperatures is key to ensure retrofit heat pump technology operates as efficiently as possible. We can provide detailed surveys of your existing heating systems and use hydraulic optimisation software to create a ‘digital twin’ of your systems to help understand the most suitable improvements measures, ranging from simple control strategy changes and system balancing, through to conversion of 3-Port constant flow systems to 2-Port Variable flow systems and replacing heat emitters with low temperature alternatives. We can also use the same approach to optimise chilled water systems.

Motors and drives are used in HVAC systems to convert electrical power into kinetic energy, particularly in pump and fan systems, and are responsible for ~40% of a building's energy use. Recent technological advancements in the efficiency of motor driven systems can deliver significant energy and carbon savings. Replacing existing motors and drives with new high efficiency direct drive permanent magnet motor systems can deliver the same operating performance whilst saving 30-50% on electricity usage.

We can deliver bespoke solutions based on the project environment. We’ve delivered enhancements including fume cupboard upgrades in labs, to improving ammonia-based cooling systems at ice arenas. Bespoke solutions are generated during energy surveys, and costed and presented as an investment grade proposal.

Harnessing waste heat plays a large role in the Government’s energy plans, generating substantial energy savings and providing low-carbon solutions to heat buildings. Our specialist teams can provide project specific advice.

Robust Measurement and Verification (M&V) of ECMs and continuous performance monitoring is key to ensure that true savings are realised and that energy saving measures continue to perform throughout the lifetime of the project. We have an in-house developed BMS and energy analytics platform called VitalView which we can use to assess and report on the operation and performance of your buildings BMS and Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems. The system ensures the ECMs we deliver are commissioned to operate as designed and continue to operate correctly over the longer term. We also have a team of M&V professionals to ensure energy savings are calculated and verified to industry best practice standards.