Can Your Elevator Go Green? 

We live in a world where humans are concerned about sustainability. Many Americans seek to reduce their daily carbon footprint using methods such as recycling, using electric vehicles or public transit and shifting toward renewable energy sources to heat our homes. It should come as no surprise that there is still more we, as a human race, can do to be more eco-friendly, even in our buildings and their components, such as passenger elevators. 

Let’s explore elevator energy use and how your building can make changes to its elevator cabs and machinery to become more eco-friendly. 

Understanding Energy Usage of Buildings & Elevators 

Did you know that buildings consume approximately 40% of the total energy and 75% of the electricity in the United States? (International Energy Agency) In a typical office building, the elevator systems can take up to 10% of that total energy usage, making them one area that can be improved upon when considering energy efficiency and going green. 

While every elevator system is different, and energy usage is determined by how many elevators are in use, the traffic patterns, and the number of people using them, a typical commercial elevator consumes 3,000 to 35,000 kWh per year, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. In addition to consumption for moving and lifting elevators, most elevator braking systems dissipate energy as heat, which can add up to 30% to a building’s total cooling load.

The Path to a Greener Elevator System 

There are several strategies that can make your building’s elevator system, including the cab, more sustainable. 

Modernize with Machine-Room-Less Technology

Building owners can work with their professional elevator companies to increase energy efficiency by upgrading to a gearless machine or a Machine-room-Less (MRL) elevator, which reduces energy consumption. These systems are generally more efficient than traditional hydraulic or geared options. 

Use Smart Software

Destination control systems can analyze traffic patterns of riders heading to the same floor and reduce the number of stops, thereby reducing energy consumption. Modernization of the controllers can also enable putting the elevator into “low power mode” or standby mode when not in use. 

Turn Gravity into Gold

Using Regenerative Drives allows the elevator system to capture the energy generated during braking. It then feeds that energy back to the building’s electrical grid, potentially saving the system up to 35% of energy. 

Use Eco-Friendly Materials/Components 

Inside the cab of the elevator, there are also opportunities to use eco-friendly materials and components that can help keep your system more sustainable, such as LED lighting, reclaimed wood paneling, low-VOC paints and coatings, and low-energy sensors. 

Looking for ways to make your building and elevator system more sustainable and green? Talk to the professionals at Buckley Elevator about how we can help you green your elevators.