Improving energy performance in UK buildings - William Dyer Electrical UK Ltd

Improving the energy performance in UK buildings

William Dyer Electrical (UK) Limited

Improving the energy performance in UK buildings Buildings account for in excess of 40% of the EU’s energy demand and are one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2002, guidelines were set out for European Nations to reduce their energy usage by 20% by 2020.

Reducing energy usage by this amount would equate to approximately 780 million tonnes of carbon emissions saving the EU around €100 billion in fuel costs.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the main tool being used to enable the EU to achieve its’ carbon reduction emissions by 20% by 2020.

There are substantial opportunities for cost effective energy efficiency measures to be implemented within buildings which could then lead to significant reductions in energy usage and a reduction in carbon emissions.

In 2010, the EPBD was revised to include both domestic and non‐domestic buildings. The EPBD also aims for European Nations to move towards all new and retrofitted buildings becoming ‘nearly zero energy buildings’ by 2021. In the case of public buildings, the target for nearly‐zero energy buildings is 2020.

The energy performance of buildings is calculated by measuring the following five end uses     

Heating Lighting Cooling Ventilation Hot water

In article 2 of the EPBD review, a ‘nearly zero‐energy building’ is defined as “a building that has a very high energy performance. The nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on‐site or nearby”.

Opportunities for energy reduction Every organisation has the opportunity to improve the energy efficiency within their building.

Reducing energy usage equates to lower utility bills and a reduction in carbon. Investment in energy efficient measures leads to continued savings, savings which can be offset against the initial outlay.

In order to improve upon the energy efficiency within a property, it is necessary to firstly understand the current usage through energy measurement. Once energy can be measured the consumption can then be monitored as energy efficiency improvements are made.

There are a variety of methods that organisations can employ to reduce energy consumption, lower utility bills and reduce carbon emissions, many of these have a short payback period and a long term benefit to the organisation.

In order to become more energy efficient, organisation must first measure their energy output so that they have a starting point from which to improve upon. Smart Meters can be installed which allow energy managers to track and monitor the daily output.

Organisations that make the savvy investment of installing low energy lighting can reduce their energy bills by up to 50%. This is an astonishing figure and should be a particularly appealing insight for larger organisations.

By adopting lighting best practices, installing low energy lighting solutions and sensor‐based controls, UK companies are in a position to reduce annual energy bills by up to £700 million a year.

This also equates to 4.4.million tonnes in carbon emissions.

Although lighting is just one of the end uses mentioned in the EPBD, changing to low energy lighting solutions could enable organisations to make significant steps towards improving the energy performance within their properties.

Electrical Energy Efficiency William Dyer Electrical (UK) Limited has been trading for over 20 years and has continually sought to progress and develop the business in line with new technologies and best practice. They have grown the business and subsequently become one of the UK’s leading Electrical Energy Efficiency Contractors.

All of their recommendations are made with environmental impact at the forefront. Having progressed the business with green initiatives in mind, their service offering includes Solar PV installations. This means that as well as saving energy through electrical energy efficient installations, their clients also have the opportunity to produce energy of their own.

Helping businesses to significantly reduce energy bills and meet green objectives For energy management and energy reduction guidance, contact William Dyer Electrical (UK) Limited – one of the leading Electrical Energy Efficiency Contractors in the UK to find out how your organisation could make significant savings in financial terms as well as energy and carbon emissions.

Electrical Energy Efficiency Contractors – William Dyer Electrical provide electrical energy management and energy efficiency solutions including Solar PV, Low Energy Lighting Installation and Smart Metering.

These services allow their clients to significantly reduce energy bills. For information from William Dyer Electrical including a portfolio of case studies, visit www.wmdyer.co.uk. You can also follow WM Dyer on Twitter @WM_Dyer or call 01706 212815 for a free energy survey.

William Dyer Electricals Services: Power Distribution, Low Energy Lighting Installation, Emergency Lighting Installation, Fire Alarm Installation, Data/ Structured Cabling, Closed Circuit Television, Intruder Alarm Installation, Electrical Heating Installation, Electrical Maintenance, Ventilation Installation, Smart Metering, Solar PV Installation

To discuss your energy management or to find out how your organisation could make significant savings, email info@wmdyer.co.uk or call 01706 212 815