From little nip-tucks to a complete shift, a lot can be done to slow down that manically racing meter
When 2.2 million homes and 2100 businesses in Sydney turned off their lights for one hour on March 31, 2008, it reduced the city’s energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour.
Just to give a better perspective, that is equivalent to taking 48,616 cars off the road for a year! Looking at the impact, Earth Hour 2008 saw 24 global cities participating, which included 286,000 people and over 20,000 businesses. While you are reading this piece, hundreds of companies and individuals are signing up, by the minute, for Earth Hour 2009.
That’s just about global warming. There’s also something closer to home—electricity consumption burns a big hole in the pockets of businesses. The good news is that there are things that you could do to slow down the manically racing meter.
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Air conditioning optimization
The most obvious cost-cutting can happen by using ceiling fans instead of air conditioners whenever possible. The differential in operating cost is approximately 30 paise per hour for fans as opposed to Rs 10 for air conditioning. Replacing the metal blades of a fan with fiber blades can save 20% energy overall.
However, if air conditioning is all that you have, each degree set above 22° Celsius will use 3-5% less energy. The recommended temperature to set the thermostat at is 25° Celsius, which is both comfortable and cost efficient.
Further, going for multi-coated glazing windows helps in restraining cool air escape. It is also advisable to install weather-strips under doors, windows, and ducts to avoid air leakage. Getting multiple coated glazes on glass windows also reduces air conditioning energy usage by about 40 percent.
It also helps to install green meshes on west facing windows and doors, so that it blocks direct sunlight heat and reduces the load on the air conditioners. This can be uninstalled in winters to let sunlight come in and reduce the need of heaters. Many businesses also have a large number of plants with drip irrigation, which helps to reduce the heat as it increases moisture in the air.
For those who are planning on installing air conditioning in new offices, it is advisable not to go for centralized air conditioning. The reason, says Lipika Sud, Honorary Secretary, Indian Institute of Interior Designers (IIID, Delhi), “Because it is a single unit, it has to be run for the entire office, irrespective of selective places where it is required after normal work hours. I would definitely recommend split air conditioning, which allows you to cool specific pockets where the cooling is required.” Besides this, cleaning the filter of air conditioners enables quick cooling while being energy efficient.
| DARE/electricity hogging elements |
| - Air conditioning - Backup (generators, UPS, etc) - IT components (PCs, data centers, etc) - Lifts/elevators - Lighting systems - Refrigeration - Water purification |
Backup equipment basics
“The rule of the thumb,” says Pratik Chube, Country Manager, Emerson India, “is to take high efficiency products. This depends on what the utilization of the product is going to be. You should map and synchronize the products efficiency to manage the load.”
For a new setup, there are three basic assessments when it comes to buying power backup solutions. First, it should be a reliable solution, which means that it should not disturb critical continuity. Second, it should have scalability, so that the solution is future proof and can be incorporated without making legacy equipment defunct. Third is that one should not look
just at the capex (capital expenses). The payback time should be quantifiable in terms of productivity or in finances.
| DARE/ITC green center |
| How they save on power |
| It is the largest building in India that has been awarded the highest rating of Platinum by the US Green Building Council. It saves over 50 per cent in energy costs compared to conventional buildings. All that glass you see on the building? It’s special e-glass, which filters out all the heat and noise, but not the light. The roof is coated with special high-reflectance ‘albedo’ paint. These two features alone are responsible for the building’s 375-ton AC plant as opposed to the 500-ton plant that was initially suggested. Walk into the large atrium and you immediately notice the absence of artificial lighting. This is possible because of the large skylight and windows surrounding the atrium. Also in the lobby is a touch-screen terminal, listing out ITC’s Green initiatives. Looking at a typical office inside the building, full-length glass ensures ample light. The electrical lights meanwhile have sensors, and will come on only when needed. Niranjan Khatri, GM of ITC’s WelcomEnviron initiatives explained, “An office building built using conventional methods is a ‘sick’ building.” Studies have also shown that working in natural light increases productivity and reduces lethargy. If employees fall ill regularly or are not at their productive best, the company actually pays for it through lifecycle costs. This kind of health cost has not been quantified yet. The Green Center however, uses special carpets and paints with low VOC (volatile oxide compounds). CO2 sensors refresh air if needed. A more productive workforce leads to greater profitability in the long run. The rooftop houses the solar power water heating system with a 4000-liter tank. Outside, all lights are capped to prevent night sky pollution. This is out of respect for nocturnal bird life and astronomers who find it difficult to view stars because of the excessive light given out from a city. |
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written by Insider, March 01, 2011
written by Atindra, January 05, 2011
written by ac on rent in noida, June 22, 2010
written by V Henderson, February 18, 2010
written by Lokesh, November 27, 2009
Thanks
written by NN Bala, November 06, 2009
written by Shahriar Hyder, August 25, 2009
http://technosiastic.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/saving-energy-by-saving-electricity-water-and-gas-at-home-or-offices/
written by Sidharth Gupta, August 21, 2009
Do get in touch for more information or demo.
written by Sidharth Gupta, August 21, 2009
Do get in touch for more information or demo.
written by Eldho Paul, June 25, 2009
written by Ajay, May 20, 2009
But affect will be seen when we take this important issue as practical in general life. And think lot of how can We save earth.
It's a good initiative by Dare.co.in and waiting for more in future.
written by Sonali, May 13, 2009
written by Maria, April 29, 2009
To reduce your power bills, visit my site. i think it will helps u a lot
written by DR SUSHIL KUMAR SHARMA, April 18, 2009
Minimize the use of bulb lights during celebrationsnad gatherings (reduce the no. of bulbs and replace the bulbs with CFLs)
Use of ACs in offices must be justified
written by David, March 10, 2009
David Wolff
HydroBreeze
written by ricky, December 18, 2008
This is a nice site and great article.
when i am reading this article then i know so many new things from your site.Thanks for that
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Ricky
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written by kamal, November 24, 2008
written by tushar, September 29, 2008
written by SANJEEV JAIN, September 10, 2008
- SANJEEV JAIN
written by R. Ramkumar, August 28, 2008
Employees could follow the SOS policy - Switch Off Something
written by r k mittal, August 27, 2008
regards
R K Mittal
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