What are the best ways to maintain energy efficiency measures over their life cycle?

To ensure sustained energy efficiency throughout the life cycle of a system, proactive maintenance is crucial. While maintenance may contribute to increased life cycle costs, it is indispensable for optimizing efficiency. Regular inspections, timely repairs, and upgrades enhance performance, preventing gradual declines in efficiency. Establishing a comprehensive maintenance plan that includes routine checks, predictive maintenance based on data analysis, and responsive interventions ensures that energy-efficient measures consistently operate at peak performance. This upfront investment in maintenance guarantees optimal energy savings, justifying the initial costs and contributing to long-term sustainability.

Studies by the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggest that poorly maintained efficiency measures can lead to a significant decline in their effectiveness, potentially negating up to 30% of the initial energy savings For example, Installed a high-efficiency HVAC system. Implementing a regular maintenance schedule that included filter changes, coil cleaning, and system calibrations ensured the system operated at peak efficiency. This resulted in 15% sustained reduction in cooling costs over a 5-year period

Consider external accreditation and joining an energy management organisation. In the UK EnCo (Energy Conscious Organisations) has been set up to harness significant savings that can be achieved through all the people involved in an organisation including staff, the board of directors, stakeholders and shareholders. EnCO provides a great framework to engage, equip and empower organisations and energy professionals to enable significant energy savings through people. Interacting with energy professionals outside your organisation also enables the sharing of good practice and provides opportunities for training and development.

The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that effective staff training on energy-efficient equipment operation can lead to an additional 5-10% reduction in energy consumption For Example, Incorporate gamification elements into training programs to make learning engaging and promote friendly competition between teams or Offer incentives to staff who demonstrate leadership and commitment to energy-saving practices.

Continuous monitoring is vital for sustaining energy-efficient system performance. Over time, factors like wear and tear may lead to deviations from intended efficiency levels. Regular checks and data monitoring are essential to identify and address these shifts promptly. Proactive oversight ensures that energy efficiency measures align with initial objectives, preventing performance deviations and maximizing long-term benefits. Regular assessments are crucial for safeguarding sustained efficiency and operational success.

Real time energy monitoring solutions are key. As well as data accuracy. To many times temporary measures are used and not continuous. The only way to ensure energy efficiency over a long period is to monitor it continuously. By using the best accurate and most cost effective solutions, not legacy systems. Utilise, for the most part and where applicable, non invasive non intrusive strap on and snap on Metering and Sensors for Gas, Electricity, Water, Compressed Air and any other critical resource

Without a proper Measurement and Verification (M&V) process in place, the energy savings achieved through efficiency upgrades can erode over time, leading to decreased performance and lost benefits A study by the US DOE found that projects without M&V experienced an average reduction in savings of 20-30% over 5 years M&V is not just about verifying initial savings; it's a continuous process for ensuring sustained energy performance. By implementing a well-designed M&V plan based on the IPMVP framework, you can maximize the long-term benefits of your energy efficiency investments ; Without M&V, you can't track actual energy savings. Operational changes, equipment degradation, or behavioral shifts can erode these savings if not monitored.

For Example, Conducted an energy audit five years after implementing LED lighting throughout their stores. The review identified inefficiencies due to sensor malfunctions and improper lighting controls. Addressing these issues resulted in an additional 5% reduction in lighting energy consumption or Regularly reviewed building energy consumption data. This led to the identification of an outdated ventilation system contributing to excessive energy use. Replacing the system with a more efficient model resulted in a 12% reduction in overall facility energy consumption

A study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) found that involving occupants in energy-saving initiatives led to an average reduction of 15% in energy consumption Best Practices & Guidance: 1. Develop a communication plan: Outline key messages, target audiences, and communication channels like workshops, newsletters, or social media campaigns. 2. Empower champions: Identify and empower building occupants or employees who can act as internal advocates for energy conservation. 3. Regularly assess and adapt: Monitor the effectiveness of your engagement strategies and make adjustments as needed to maintain stakeholder interest.

In order to maintain energy efficiency measures throughout their life cycle, the ISO 50001 Energy management system must first be established and maintained. Thus, energy consumption will be systematically monitored and energy performance will be continuously increased. On the other hand, devices or systems should be operated at optimum value (operational control). Reducing the pressure set point in the compressed air system by 1bar will provide approximately 10% energy efficiency and also lowering the ambiant temperature set point by 1C in heating or increasing it by 1C in cooling will provide approximately 6% energy reduction.