Technical Papers: How to Save Energy in Buildings ?

Irrespective of the building to be built or managed, there is a need for solutions to control energy consumption. This holds true throughout the world for all types of buildings, in the industrial, residential or service sectors.

Before designing or upgrading a building, and in particular its electrical installations, it is essential: to study its energy needs and the available energy sources; to find the best balance between management systems, distribution networks and consumer equipment; to take account of operational requirements.

This technical paper presents a methodology for effective preliminary study work. The author therefore explores all of the elements which contribute to energy savings and which, depending on the installation, may or may not be selected.

Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 Players

1.2 Needs

2 Itemizing energy consumption and available energy sources

2.1 Energy consumption

2.2 Energy sources

3 Reducing energy costs

3.1 Analyzing energy bills

3.2 Using the existing contract

3.3 Renegotiating the contract

4 Reducing energy consumption

4.1 Savings in the HVAC system

4.2 Savings on domestic hot water

4.3 Savings on lighting

4.4 Reducing electrical energy losses

4.5 Other savings

4.6 Advantages of correct maintenance

4.7 Importance of metering

4.8 The energy audit approach

5 Case studies 5.1 Optimizing energy bills in a hospital

5.2 Installation of ventilation with a variable speed drive

6 Conclusion

Appendix: cogeneration