The electrical trade offers tips on how businesses and public institutions can save energy and costs with minimal effort. (Photo: © ArGe Medien im ZVEH)
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Electricity prices in Germany are expected to reach record highs in 2020. Read how companies and public institutions can reduce their energy consumption.
Due to the rising EEG surcharge and higher grid fees, electricity prices are expected to increase by an average of five percent in 2020 compared to 2019. In public buildings such as schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and administrative buildings, rising energy consumption is among the biggest cost drivers, reports the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (ZVEH).
How can companies and public institutions increase their energy efficiency? And which measures offer the greatest savings potential? "There is significant potential for savings for companies and public authorities, especially in the areas of lighting, space heating, and IT technology," explains Andreas Habermehl from ZVEH.
Warehouses, access roads, workshops, or offices – the demands on lighting in industrial, commercial, and public buildings are particularly high and very specific. The safety of employees and visitors is paramount. To nevertheless ensure high energy efficiency, the association recommends dividing large areas into individual zones, each equipped with its own presence sensors . This way, full illumination in each zone is only activated when people approach or are present within it.
The use of motion detectors is also beneficial for lighting dark hallways and outdoor areas: This increases safety and simultaneously helps save electricity. Another option is the installation of daylight-dependent lighting controls . "This only switches on when natural sunlight is insufficient, and thus, for example, up to 50 percent energy can be saved in office lighting," explains Habermehl.
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For outdoor advertising in the form of illuminated signs or shop windows, the use of twilight switches can be worthwhile. These automatically switch on the lighting at dusk and thus also help to halve energy costs.
You can find a certified electrical contractor at www.elektrobetrieb-finden.de
The German Association of Electrical and Information Technology Trades (ZVEH) states that air conditioning and heating in commercial spaces offers considerable savings potential . "After all," they say, "it's rare that all rooms need to be heated or cooled to the same temperature." Rooms that are rarely used can, for example, be kept slightly below the ideal room temperature. The so-called comfort temperature is between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius with a humidity level between 50 and 65 percent , and this should prevail in rooms where employees spend a lot of time. Rooms that are not always occupied can be heated to around 18 degrees Celsius; however, the temperature should not fall below this level to prevent mold growth.
Individual room temperature control is best achieved with smart radiator actuators . Savings of up to 30 percent are possible. A simple trick to save even more energy is to automatically lower the room temperature after business or office hours. In summer, sun protection systems in front of windows in offices and commercial spaces can reduce the heat load and decrease the need for fans or air conditioning. In a smart building, sun protection can also be controlled automatically, further increasing comfort and energy efficiency.
Energy-saving potential also lies dormant in IT. "The operating costs of servers, PCs, notebooks, and copiers are far higher than their purchase costs over their entire life cycle," experts report. Those who implement a comprehensive "green IT strategy" that considers both technology and users can save up to 75 percent on energy.
Many companies have large roof areas on their commercial buildings, production facilities, and warehouses. This is the ideal place to become independent of rising electricity prices with a photovoltaic system .
Source: ZVEH
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