TUV.COMMUNICATION
Going up: Lift and Elevator Energy EfďŹ ciency VeriďŹ cation The latest studies show that the energy consumption of buildings accounts for 40% of global energy consumption. As the number of buildings increases, so does the amount of energy consumed. A lift, a crucial component of any modern building, consumes on average 3%-8% of all energy. There is then great potential to improve to increase energy efficiency by simply tuning the way they operate. As various countries pay more attention to environmental issues, more policies restricting emissions and focusing on energy saving will be introduced. More lift manufacturers and users are putting lift energy efficiency and relevant assessment on their agendas. Many countries have also started to research and prepare relevant standards and regulations on lift energy efficiency.
At present, VDI 4707 Part 1 of the Association of German Engineers is commonly used for the assessment of lift energy efficiency around the world. This standard was issued in March 2009, after the comprehensive testing and assessment of 33 lifts from eight major lift manufacturers in Europe by the Swiss Agency for Energy Efficiency in 2005. The standard is applicable for the energy efficiency assessment and classification of new passenger lifts and cargo lifts as well as existing lifts. There are seven classes of lift energy efficiency based on the energy required for operation and standby, indicated by seven coloured labels from A to G, among which Class A represents optimal energy efficiency and Class G means that lift energy efficiency needs to be improved urgently.
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