Introduction
The effects of climatic changes in the world over have caused threats to the survival of humankind (Griffith, 1995). The main cause of the climatic change is due to global warming resulting from carbon emissions. The recently held Copenhagen Climate Change at the end of last year was geared toward addressing the climate situation. A number of countries represented at the talks made commitments to cut down the amount of carbon emission. For instance, the UK made a commitment to reduce by 80% her total carbon emission by the year 2020. Such commitments require well-laid strategies from the top government administration to the common man in the village. We are all faced with the challenges of reducing our carbon footprint. The greatest challenge lies with the commercial and industrial sectors. As a result, company managers are faced with an uphill task of making a new recommendation in regard to reducing energy consumption to the board members in a bid to curb the rate of energy consumption.
This report will take a critical analysis of the composition of a business’s resultant carbon footprint. In the analysis, the focus is going to be laid on the main activities in a business setup, production procedures and services, and asset base. As a strategy, the plan will constitute a potential plan of making a 5% of carbon reduction for the next 20 years. This plan is workable if renewable energy is given priority, implementing energy reduction strategies are met, and if low carbon strategies are effectively adopted. The report will follow an initial plan of reducing energy consumption before considering the use of green energy or zero-carbon technologies. The main component of this discussion is these carbon reduction strategies will be focused on how various office and building types constitute the overall carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere and the overall impact on the environment.
Constituents of a Business’ Carbon Footprint
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a progressive analysis of the environmental situation resulting from the manufacturing of a product; taking into account all the design methods applied. In achieving this feat, a victorious LCA on any organization’s building component should reflect the future prospect of a comfortable living given the modern needs of our daily living. LCA should ensure we try to rectify our past harm to the environment as this is the most crucial sustainability strategy that any business set up must embrace (Weir, 1998). A responsible Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) has to reflect the well-being of its people and a move to conserve the environment is one such obligation. The main building goal of the 21st century is to significantly cut the level of energy in-take motivated by whole-life/ cradle-to-grave interpretation.
The Four Stages of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Defining Goal and Scope
The main goal of a planning phase is to analyze the major concerns at hand in a way that will look into product alternatives. In addition, goal and scope are able to fault limiting factors of a system in use, define the way that would be used to collect data, and outline environmental concerns and how to evaluate them. The process of evaluation could be done in a number of ways: identifying an inefficient process of production, new product design that is cheaper to produce than the current product, resource allocation process, and the burden a product would cost to the environment.
Inventory Analysis
Inventory analysis refers to the mechanisms set to monitor and sanctify both the inputs and output employed in the operations of a firm. Inventory analysis is a measure of the factors mentioned in the goal and the scope above and whose boundary lies within the planning phase. At this stage, all the production needs, products, and waste materials, and emissions are quantified. This process can be achieved by researching the mentioned parameters through historical study analysis, making database searches, and employing data acquisition methodologies.
Impact Assessment
Impact assessment lays focus on how a business’ activities affect and impact the environment. The impact assessment process is a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the information attained in the inventory analysis. This further step is aimed at interpreting the issues raised in a more focused way so that a format for decision-making can be laid. This stage aims at coming up with how real contributors like raw material use, effluent output, gas emissions, energy, and solid wastes among others contribute to environmental depletion. According to the School of the Built Environment (2009), “The burden to the environment from any single process may be measured in terms of human health, animal habitat disturbances, noise pollution, changes in water quality or aesthetic changes to the environment.” The effects thereof are adequately looked into in relation to how they impact the present scenario and forecasted implications they may have on the environment in the future.
Improvement Analysis
After establishing the business process products in line with how they contribute to the degradation of the environment, improvement analysis then follows; steps that can be taken to reduce environmental burdens. It requires looking at the overall view of the entire production process and validating how the environment would be made better following the changes yet to be made.
Implementation of LCA as an environmental management strategy has many benefits of improving the environment. Consumers are alert concerning manufacture turning of goods and services that are harmful to the environment due to increased concerns on the environment. As a result, customers will shy away from buying products and services whose production is detrimental to environmental sustainability. This is a concern to any business set up and by adopting environment conscious business processes; a sustainable business life is achievable. In addition, setting up an environment friendly process will minimize wastages and limit the amount of energy consumed; hence, an improved profit margin.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
As earlier mentioned in the LCA above, environmental management has become a crucial issue for the business community given the growing environment awareness. As a reactionary measure, businesses have made its conservation one of their key cooperate social responsibilities (CSRs). EMS refers to the general action plan that a business enterprise may take to meet the environmental concerns of the modern world. To achieve this feat, the EMS considers the laid policies, plans, outlined procedures, and processes that constitute the reactionary measure of resolving the environmental debacle. EMSs aim at ensuring compliance with set legislations to protect both the present and future environmental challenges; for instance, employee and human health prospects, and the other surrounding inhabitants.
EMS is bound to improve the cost of waste handling and make efficient and improved productivity. To achieve this requirement, the British Standards Institute came up with management standards for the environment. “According to BS7750, now ISO14000, the environmental policy of an organization should: Incorporate a commitment to continual improvement in environmental performance, be available for public consultation, and be understood at all employee levels within the organization,” (School of the Built Environment 2009).
An approach should be adopted in totality in line with the need of minimal environmental disturbances and to achieve this, there should be new product designs that will work towards no environmental burden. Compliance with legislation will avoid heavy fine imposition, improved image popularity, and increased asset value.
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM)
“The kinds of buildings that we set up for business use and other uses have a direct impact on the state of our environmental,” (Willis, 1995). BREEAM was set to come up with design labeling for buildings that can minimize environmental degradation. The designs enable developers, occupants, and financiers to become conscious about the contribution buildings have on the global warming. This strategy aims at creating awareness about how buildings might contribute to the forming of acid rains and the effects they may have to the depletion of ozone layer. In addition, the strategy of BREEAM seeks to reduce the long term environmental degradation as a result of building and to improve the quality of room/office environment. BREEAM has been able to achieve this obligation due to the rigorous design procedures it has undertaken to model generic office and building types. The designs are not perfect but at least they give a starting point in adopting energy conscious environmental policies practiced mainly in the UK.
Global Waste Emission
The emission of greenhouse gases: methane, carbon dioxide, chloro-fluoro carbons and nitrous oxides cause green house effect that is responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer. These gases absorb and re-emit infrared radiation emitted by the earth and this results into warming of the troposphere. It is, therefore, crucial to consider cutting the level of emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The production of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere results from combustion of energy resources to generate power and therefore by cutting down energy use, levels of waste emission are kept in check. In addition, building should be constructed in a way that they won’t need air conditioning. The construction of a BREEAM compliant building should minimize the use of non-renewable materials; for which the body gives credit awards for any use of sustainable resources.
Water economy is also an important aspect of environmental conservation given that there are environmental costs associated with the provision of clean water. A building should use BREEAM compliant equipment that reduces the amount of water used such as: WCs, wash hand basins and urinals. Another local issue addressed by BREEAM is transport and cycling facilities. “To encourage the reduction of pollution generated from cars and other vehicles, BREEAM awards credits for the provision of efficient public transport and cyclists‘facilities, including secure storage, drying facilities, showers, changing facilities. In an industrial context, the provision of facilities for goods vehicles should be designed to minimize maneuvering and shunting, which increase both pollution and noise,” (School of the Built Environment 2009). Lastly, BREEAM recommends the use of efficient energy and improved quality of air. Therefore, building should make maximum use of solar energy during the day to lower electricity use (Shorrock & Henderson, 1990). This strategy would be discussed into details in the succeeding section of this report.
Managing Energy in Buildings
The debate on effective energy use has been the focus on nation wide debate since the energy crisis of the 1970s. In the UK, the total energy consumption used in buildings alone constitutes 45% of national primary energy. The demand for electricity continues to rise to keep pace with development agendas of the modern society. 32% of this value is as a result of room heating, auxiliary power, and hot water, (Curwell et al, 1990). Reducing energy use has significant impact on an individual end user’s standard of living resulting to a major role in curbing environmental conservation. Therefore, economics of power saving is an important constituent of a business plans and managers are obliged to understand the main concepts of effective energy use for important decision making.
Energy Consumption
The rate of energy consumption for a firm depends on production energy output, efficiency of machines that are in the production lines, and the period of occupation among other energy utilization modes.
Production Energy Output
The amount of energy consumed in a business set up is a function of building constituents; also known as U-values. The constituents of building economics include: area of space occupied, desired inside and outside temperatures, and how many times air is turned in space at a given period of time.
Machine Efficiency
Manufacturers of boilers indicate the efficiency of the machines at full load for modern boilers compared to those that have been in use for at least ten years (BSJ, 1996). The efficiency of older boilers reduce significantly after ten years and so to make energy savings, companies should replace old boilers with the modern ones. “A well-designed boiler should maintain this efficiency down to 30% of full load. Below this its efficiency will diminish quickly, and hence modular boilers are recommended for loads below 100 kW,” (School of the Built Environment, 2009). The efficiency of condensing boilers is 90% excess if applied appropriately. They can be used in line with conventional boilers to improve overall plant efficiency, particularly at low temperature and low load.
Period of Occupation
Period during in which a building is occupied is a determinant of effective energy saving strategy. Places like the office are mainly occupied during the day and therefore at night and weekends the lighting should be cut. It is important though to consider frost protection when extreme weather conditions hit to ensure comfort of room occupants. Keeping a room’s temperature check is also crucial as it cuts costs associated with long time preheating when the room temperature falls down.
Thermal Inertia and Plant Operation Mode
Buildings that are operational at specific times like offices, mode of plant operation would depend on thermal mass/building inertia. Rooms with high thermal mass are resistant to heat loss and this makes them need longer preheat time while at the same time they take long time to cool. Therefore, for such a building, preheating should be done prior to room occupancy and the heating device be switched off before the room is vacated. On the other hand, for rooms with low thermal response, the period of preheating should be short and the cool down time will also be short. Preheating such a building will continue till the room is just about to be vacated and preheating resumes just when it is about to be occupied.
The duration of preheat is also dependent on the location of heat insulating material in the building envelope. “Insulation located on the inside surface of external walls and ceilings of an envelope which otherwise has a high thermal inertia will effectively change the characteristics to those of a low thermal inertia building i.e. there will be a rapid response to the switching of heating plant,” (School of the Built Environment, 2009). This statement is justified because preheat and cool down period will be short hence little thermal mass on the cooler sides of insulation. Y-values; heat absorption properties can be at times more significant than U-values (transfer properties). This is especially true for intermittently heated buildings like an isolated building because the building would be cold; hence, require longer preheat period and large quantity of energy.
Internal Heat Sources
Internal heat sources are normally considered when total plant energy is calculated, especially when they are not continuous. The internal heat sources include: heat gained from solar and temperature controls should include this gain when fuel consumption estimates are drawn. Other sources of internal heat gain are heat produced from machines and equipment like: cookers, photocopiers, computers, and heat from people among other sources of internal heat. Internal heat gains should not be under/over estimated because that may lead to room being under/over sized for heating or cooling.
Degree days
Degree days refers to the comparison made to the various heating load required at different times and places. By knowing the heat loads, it is easier to gauge the energy intake for space heating. When calculating Degree Days base temperature used is 15.5°C. The number of degrees that the daily temperature fall short of 15.5°C is the Degree Days usually measured over a month’s period.
Benefits of Energy Conservation
Energy conservation for business organizations is a key component of meeting a sustainable business life (Emsley, 1994). Mankind has always used energy in an irresponsible way leading to deteriorating environment that is a threat to the future survival of our planet. Energy conservation has a number of benefits some of which are already stated in this report. Firstly, energy conservation means a reduction of greenhouse gases’ emission such as carbon dioxide. Greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming; which is the greatest threat of environment the globe faces today. By burning fossil fuels we are releasing carbon dioxide among other wastes into the atmosphere, which would impact directly to the livelihood of human beings and other inhabitants. WCED, (1987), illustrates that use of energy conservatively will reduce the amount of gaseous wastes released in the atmosphere hence a sustainable future.
Secondly, in the UK, burning of fossil fuels in the main cause of air pollution in form of fine particles; more so in the urban areas. Burning fossil fuels is partly due to road transport and mainly due to power generation and domestic coal burning. This resultant effects lead to ozone destruction. If we can resolve to make reduction in energy use we will reduce the need for more power from both electricity and coal burning; hence, reduced air and ozone pollution. Also, energy conservation is a move that will ensure we use efficient machines and equipment. Use of ineffective machines leads to wastes discharges mainly because of partial consumption of energy and raw materials.
The need to reduce energy consumption by companies will lead to adoption of new technologies and the use of appropriate and efficient machines which will in turn lead to waste management (Greek, 1996). Energy conservation means efficient methods of production. This will ensure the available raw materials are used to the maximum benefits and this will save costs of production. “Walkers snack foods reaped a saving of £960,000 following the introduction of a waste management strategy. Pilkington identified 29 opportunities for waste minimization and made savings of nearly £500, 000,” (School of the Built Environment, 2009). In addition, energy saving measures is long time goals of environmental sustainability that most clients are nowadays concerned with. An environment conscious business will attract more clients and this will mean increased earnings and profit at the end of the day.
Office Strategies and Technologies for Reducing Carbon Emission
Good Practice Benchmark
Good practice benchmarks are examples that significantly lower the rate of energy use via the use of efficient and appropriate technologies, (EEO 1991). Good benchmarks are applicable in a number of situations; for instance, buildings, indoor environmental services (heating, air-conditioning and lighting), office and equipment, and period of use among other energy consuming utilities. Benchmarks discussed in this report refer to four office types. Annual fuel bills including Climate Change Levy (CCL) for offices are estimated in the range of £4 to £30/square meter of Treated Floor Area (TFA). Benchmarks under discussion have key considerations when arriving at the figures. This include: building standards, presence of air-conditioners, and proportion of open-planned offices.
Characteristics Influencing Costs of Energy
The first costs influencing energy costs is CCL; a tax that is charged on energy consumed by public, agricultural, industrial and commercial sector. CCL was introduced in the year 2001 and the levies are payable through the energy bills. Secondly, energy costs are influenced by room occupancy and management. How this cost affects energy use was illustrated in earlier discussion. The contributors to this costs are; for instance, hour of office occupancy, the size of office and equipment installed and how long they are put in use, effective maintenance, and unoccupied room. Thirdly, energy costs in an office are influenced by consumption in energy-intensive areas like cookers and other catering facilities, sport and leisure facilities, air conditioning, and mainframe computer rooms. Putting energy use in its minimum remains a challenge for many offices and this avails an opportunity for businesses to reduce energy costs. It is neither expensive nor hard to manage energy-efficient offices as the techniques are easy to follow, straightforward, and reliable.
Office Types
The office types have characteristic packages that can be used as reference for benchmark comparison (Moss, 1997). There is tailor made benchmarking kit available in the web that can be used to benchmark an office. Area under cover for a type 1 office is between 100m2 – 3000m2. This office type takes the design of a residential built structure with only one window. In addition, it has simple lighting and heating systems. Its catering facilities consist of a refrigerator, odd sink, and a kettle. The second office type is an open-plan (type 2) with designated special areas and cellular offices. Size ranges (500-4000) square meter with illuminance level higher than a simple office. It uses higher amount of power due to hours of use, machines and equipment are used more consistently and fro long time periods. Third type is purpose-built (type 3) ranging from (2000-8000) square meter. It is more complex than a large-type and has deeper floor plan. This sort of office are more extensively used and benchmarked by Variable Air Volume (VAV) air regulators. Lastly is the regional/national head office, administrative, or technical center (type 4). Size ranges (4000-20000) square meter with high standard refurbishments. Machines in this kind of office run for longer hours due to high occupancy periods. The catering facilities are more extensive that they include menus that serve at least half of its staffs. The mainframe computer rooms and the general communication equipment are air-conditioned. Storage, parking, and leisure facilities are all extensive.
Strategies for Reducing Energy Costs and an Annual 5% Carbon Emission Reduction
First Office Type
As has been mentioned in the above description, the first generic office (type 1) is a simple office whose size ranges between (100-3000) square meters. The office is a design of domestic resident with single windows and simple heating and lighting systems. Office type 1 energy use is influenced by six characters. A good strategy for reducing energy consumption; hence, carbon dioxide emission should focus on the six sources via which energy is consumed. Energy is used for lighting, heating and hot water system, fans and pumps control, catering (electricity), office equipment, among other electricity uses. Though there are minimal efforts that can be made to cut energy costs for this kind of office as compared to the other office types, minimum energy use can still be achieved. These include: putting off lights at night or when not in use, switching off office equipment when they are not used, and using natural ventilation instead of fans and pumps control systems. Since the kitchen equipments are just simple ones, it is highly likely to turn a type 1 office from typical energy use to good practice.
According to ECG (2000), the strategies would make an annual saving of about 100kWh/m2 of TFA (Treated Floor Area). This translates to about £2-3 saving per TFA and assuming an average area of 1,550m2, the total amount of annual savings is £3,100. The corresponding annual cut of carbon emission is equivalent to 35kgCO2/m2 of TFA.
- Total annual emission for a TFA of 1,550m2 = 54,250kg of CO2
- 5% annual emission for a TFA of 1,550m2 = 0.05 * 54,250
- = 2,712.5kg of CO2
The annual net amount of saving assuming £1000 cost of implementation = £2,100. A firm can use this money to annually give rewards to its employees for effecting the strategies since savings are made from annual electricity bills paid by a company.
Second Office Type
This office type has all the characteristics of a type 1 office. The only striking difference is that its typical office includes the use of cooling system. It uses a greater amount of energy compared to type 1 office above due to more lighting, equipment, and routine use of equipment among other needs. The strategies for reducing energy use are similar to the ones for a type 1 building. Further energy reduction strategy costs can be made through regulating time of cooling systems. Cooling should be done prior to room occupancy till the time occupants are just bout to leave.
For strategies that will ensure this office type moves from typical to good practice the following savings can be made assuming an average TFA of 2,250m2;
- Annual kWh/m2 = 110kWh/m2 * 2,250 = 247,500kWk
- Annual cost in £/m2 = £3.5 * 2250 = £7875
- Annual carbon emission reduction = 40kgCO2/m2 * 2250 = 90,000kgCO2
- For a 5% carbon emission reduction the needed cut = 0.05 * 90,000 = 4,500kgCO2, (ECG 2000).
Due to quite higher level of employees employed in type 2 as compared to type 1 office, we assume implementation expenses at £2,000; therefore, net savings =£ 5875. This amount of saving cannot only be used to reward policy implementers but also to buy power saving coolers and equipment.
Third Office Type
Type 3 is similar to type 2 in two aspects: occupancy and planning. Otherwise this type tends to be intensively used with deeper floor plan. Also, its key benchmark is based on VAV air-cooled water chillers for air-conditioning. Type 3 office furthermore includes both gas and electricity use for kitchen use and electricity for computers. The strategies implemented in this type are the different types of ventilation and cooling options as given under the Good Practice Guide 290. These in addition to energy saving modes are essential in turning type 3 from typical to good practice building. The resultant savings per annum are as follows assuming an average TFA of 5,000m2;
- Annual kWh = 5,000 * 180 = 900,000kWh
- Annual costs = 5,000 * 5 = £25,000
- Annual carbon emission = 5,000 * 70 = 350,000kgCO2
- 5% annual reduction of CO2 = 0.05 * 350,000 = 17,500kgCO2, (ECG 2000).
Annual accruals resulting from energy savings would mean availability of funds after a one year span. With the funds a firm may launch new products; for instance, venturing into carbon trading. Trading in carbon credits is a very good avenue for generating income to a given institution given the credit rewards as set by BREEAM.
Type Four Office
This office type is the most complex and uses the highest amount of energy compared to the rest as has been described above. The strategies for ensuring the office type moves from typical to good practice largely depend on machine efficiency and regulation of air-conditioning and humidification facilities. All these facilities call for in-time energy regulation for period of occupancy and control systems for mainframe computer rooms. Annual savings are enormous and can benefit a firm in a big way. Assuming an average TFA of 12,000m2;
- Annual kWh = 120,000 * 220 = 26,400,000kWh
- Annual costs = 120,000 * 7 = £840,000
- Annual carbon emission = 120,000 * 80 = 9,600,000kgCO2
- 5% annual reduction of CO2 = 0.05 * 9,600,000 = 480,000kgCO2
The overall energy saving rewards that a type 4 office can make has a wider meaning to reducing the carbon footprint of the nation at large; more so, after a period of 10 years. This is because of the huge amount of savings that can be made as demonstrated in the calculations above. Though some amount could be used to meet implementation needs, the net saving accruing from curbing energy costs give the real meaning to conservation of the environment and a sustainable business life. It is however crucial that the management take all the cost analysis of the implementation of BREEAM designs so that real and practical benefits can be arrived at. This is because the management needs to plough back the benefits accrued to further enhance energy saving efforts and to reward policies implementers.
Assessing the Energy Saving Strategy
One of the sectors of the UK economy to have implemented the practice of good office practices in the Higher Education sector. At the moment the sector is undertaking some building projects based on the basics of sustainable construction which has been neglected. The overall effects of reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint result in reduction of costs incurred in running buildings in their entire lifetime. In addition, it will help in combating future price increment in energy and enhance environmental conservation. An organization with reputable environmental conservation measures as its part of Cooperate Social Responsibility (CSR) has the ability of attracting more clients and attracting recruits.
It is important to assess environmental performances of buildings so as to ascertain whether the set objectives have been met. The reasons for assessment are to: know managerial policies to take, set practical energy saving targets, and to monitor the achievement or under-achievement of the targets set. This can be done through methods designed by BREEAM as discussed above. The use of BREEAM standards have been adopted by a number of private and public organizations and depending on the criteria used, carbon credits are awarded. However, the use of BREEAM seems to be ignored due to high costs of building the generic type offices and requirement for refurbishment for meeting the designed energy saving types. “Because there are no generic BREEAM building specifications relevant to HE each building has to be done on a ‘bespoke’ basis, which costs £10-15,000 to develop the specification and £5,000 for assessment,”
Given the above costs incurred to in implementation of the energy saving techniques, the monetary investment in curbing carbon emission should be compared with the forecasted benefits of reducing the carbon footprint determined through the criteria of awarding carbon credits/trade of carbon credits as determined by the BREEAM. Capital costs of implementing energy saving methods are higher with an additional shorter payback period. Research by an American institution; Innovest, done for the US Environment Protection Agency revealed that building types whose construction conformed to the EPA’s standards their costs of operation by a whopping 40% compared to the convectional buildings, (Innovest, 2002).
Plan of Action for BREEAM
The use of BREEAM can only be fully effective if the three under mentioned issues are addressed. The first one is whether or not the building standards should be made mandatory. At the moment, the good office practices are voluntary except for a few institutions like the NHS. Secondly, can there be better generic office types than the ones developed by the BREEAM and the third issues is justify the role to be played by Funding Councils and other bodies in acting as oversight institutions. It wouldn’t be right to make BREEAM standards mandatory because the methodologies used in designing the generic office standards have their own weaknesses. More so, the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are not aware of such measures. A short term goal would therefore to be to make aid those institutions that want to implement the ideals. This is also not easy given the costs incurred in initiating such projects. Consequently, it is necessary for the weaknesses to be eliminated by funding as long as the term benefits of instituting the values are energy conservative office types surpass the implementation costs.
The weaknesses mentioned above can be minimized if institutions form voluntary clubs. After pulling together it is easy to share the costs of adopting the office standards as designed by the BREEAM. Leicester and Sheffield Universities have volunteered to participate in one such club, for libraries/LRCs,” (James and Hopkins, 2004). Further cost reduction measures that can be taken include negotiations with BRE to lower the rates of implementation. Also, it is possible to avail pump priming funding to willing institutions that want to join BREEAM clubs. Thirdly, institutions should provide accurate information to BREEAM assessors concerning building specifications so that when they are viewed against the generic types, the best practice is selected. Some institutions don’t want to initiate BREAM office types simply because they do not know the benefits of Whole Life Cost of adopting measures of sustainable building types. Moreover, Whole Life Cost has the obligation of sustaining future HE cost increments, (UK Value for Money Steering Group Report, 2003).
Lastly, it is in order that whatever the BREEAM standards set, they should be able to reduce energy consumption and cut down on the carbon footprint for a sustainable environment that comply with both the Kyoto Protocol and the provisions of the recent Copenhagen world summit. BREEAM should aim at establishing the best environment practices ratings: new buildings’ ratings should be excellent while those of refurbished buildings should move to ‘very good’.
Fossil Fuel Consumption
Fuel use for heating should not exceed typical levels and if a building incurs costs beyond typical values, then it should institute serious managerial plans of action to counter the costs. For air-conditioned buildings, heat energy put to use mainly depend on maintenance, control of the equipment and operation. This is a very important area that significant energy use could be reduced substantially; for instance, by heat recovery and wall sealing. Kitchens in buildings are often extravagant and as a matter of keeping check, water, gas and electricity used should be separated from the main meters for close monitoring.
Fuel consumption is also encountered in hot water systems (UETP-EEE, 1995). Hot water values are comparable to CEIs and EUIs. Though these values may seem lower, the carbon dioxide emissions are normally quite high. Since centralized heating boilers are expensive to service during cold weathers, it is preferred that at such times independent electric/gas water heating mechanisms be used. When fossil fuel is used for heating, comparison between electricity and fossil fuel use can be determined through the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.
Electricity Use for Building Services
Amount of energy used in mechanical cooling devices are significant but not as much as the levels used in fans and pumps (Hanby, 1994). Cooling devices and pumps must only run when need is justified. The second electricity consumption source in a building is used in pumps, controls, and fans. The amount of energy consumed by this category of devices is highest in air-conditioned rooms. Fans utilize two-thirds of electricity used in air-conditioning. Adequate savings can therefore be tapped if air volume, hour of use, and pressure levels are articulately considered. The third electricity used in buildings is for humidification mainly in type 4 office. It is a really wasteful system when used in mild weather conditions. Lastly, lighting constitutes high end-use of electric energy. Though the amount of energy used depends on the office type, other factors such as use during daytime level of illuminance as well as period of use may raise or lower consumption.
Other Electricity Consumption
Office equipment like computers that are singly allocated to each staffs has considerably high electricity consumption figures (ECG, 2000). It is wise to turn any office equipment off overnight or when not in use to cut energy costs. The number of equipment in computer suite vary from one office type to another; hence variance in energy consumption. A secluded computer room should account for its own electricity use to minimize errors in figures for comparison with relevant benchmarks. Air-conditioning for computer rooms is extravagant as it consume as much energy as the energy used to run them (ECG, 2000). A significant saving can be made if the wastage can be avoided.
Conclusion
Energy use and environmental conservation are important aspects business sustainability and financial strength. In fact, most business organizations are judged by the community and client base by their efforts towards achieving a sustainable environment. Having looked at the constituents of business activities and how they influence energy patterns, it is it possible to point out the various production stages of a company and their energy consumption. This will make it easy not only for the company to plan its energy consumption level but also operate efficiently.
From the discussion of this report, it is also important to note the significance of building type and how the various office types influence energy consumption from both gas and electricity. This is because most business entities that are not involved in manufacturing processes have always neglected conservation efforts due to their ignorance about the level of energy consumption brought about by simply building conventional office types. The highlights given in this report should challenge all stakeholders to make efforts in cutting energy use in the office given the magnitude of savings that can result from such efforts.
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