How to Make Your Elevator Eco-Friendly

Elevators can be a necessity in commercial buildings. However, they can be a hindrance to the environment and use up a lot of energy. In recent elevator trends, the focus has been on modernization with changing factors like increased efficiency, sustainability, and technology. As more people and companies become energy-conscious, elevators will become more eco-friendly. There are many ways to modernize your elevator to make it more sustainable and energy efficient.   

What Makes an Elevator Green?

Estimates report that buildings consume about 40% of the world’s energy, with elevators making up 2% to 10% of the building’s energy use. While energy consumption is the main focus of eco-friendly practices, it’s also important to look at the materials, processes, and technologies that go into creating the elevator. Elevators use products like steel as their framework, which produces carbon gas emissions.  

Why Should Elevators Be Eco-Friendly?

Building eco-friendly elevators can help the environment while also helping your business save money. For example, if an elevator uses energy-efficient technology, it will consume less power. Your elevator will reduce its carbon footprint and electricity bill. 

Ways to Improve Elevator Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

LED Lighting 

Elevators typically have fluorescent lighting. These kinds of lights often contain toxic substances like mercury and lead, which can harm the environment and humans. 

LED lighting is more energy efficient which is beneficial for the environment. By replacing fluorescent lights with LED lighting, maintenance costs will be lower and carbon emissions will be reduced.

Regenerative Drives

Elevators always exert energy, even when they stop at different floors. In buildings with many floors and foot traffic, elevators can waste a lot of their energy. Adding regenerative drives will help capture that energy when an elevator stops and reuses the energy as it descends. 

Since less energy is used, there is less heat produced, which reduces the need for machine cooling.

In-Cab Sensors

Elevators can use in-cab sensors that put the elevator in idle mode when there are no passengers inside. If no one is in the elevator, then the light and ventilation systems will turn off, conserving energy.

Destination Control Systems

This kind of software creates an algorithm that can group passengers on where they’re going. The system collects data answering questions like:

• Where does this person work?
• Is there a special entry?
• Which elevators are available? 
• Are there multiple people going to the same floor? 

This will help prevent multiple stops which saves energy. 

Eco-Friendly Materials

There are various materials in the makeup of an elevator that can be harmful to the environment. Try using bamboo flooring, linoleum, recycled and cradle-to-cradle carpets, and wall coverings for your elevator to help make an impact.

Companies are starting to think about how their elevators might contribute to the environment. From implementing LED lighting, regenerative drives, in-cab sensors, destination control systems, and eco-friendly materials, there are several methods to help your elevator conserve energy and lessen its carbon footprint. If you’re looking to update your elevator to be eco-friendly and save costs, contact us.