Fact Sheet 1 Why you should know all about...

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GCIS ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN PRACTICAL FACT SHEETS AND ENERGY SAVINGS HINTS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY RADIO’S; NEWSPAPERS AND CONSUMER DIRECTED MEDIA FACT SHEET 1: WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT ENERGY

WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW ALL ABOUT ENERGY Energy is the life blood or power that you need for everything you do: from waking up in the morning and eating or drinking to

walking; driving; thinking and working and even for having fun. The energy that we need to perform our daily tasks, generally

comes from the sun and the food we eat. But, there is another very important type of energy which we simply cannot do without. It

is the kind of energy that we need to run our households; do our work at our places of business and to produce the goods that we

need to live. We need it for hot water; to make food and every time we switch on lights or appliances such as irons; washing machines; heaters; televisions; computers; power tools; industrial equipment and many more. Currently, this kind of energy is

mostly supplied to us in the form of electricity. But, as electricity resources are diminishing rapidly worldwide, it is critical that we all

need to know all about electricity and energy and how each of us can be more energy efficient.

WHY THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF ENERGY For many generations, mankind has mostly been using energy resources such as coal; gas; liquid fuels and electricity for power.

Because these sources of energy are not renewable, it is not unlimited. And due to the rate at which the population has grown and

development has taken place, the demand for power has increased and our usual sources of energy is depleting fast.

WHY IS RENEWABLE ENERGY IMPORTANT

Renewable energy is an alternative source of energy, because it comes from natural sources that are readily available and that can

easily replace itself, such as sun; wind; waves or water; biofuels and geothermal heat. Energy that comes from the sun is called

solar power. Energy derived from the wind is simply referred to as wind power. Energy from waves or water is called hydro power.

Biofuels are fuels that are made from natural materials such as corn; sugar cane or soya beans. And geothermal heat is created

through harnessing the heat energy that is ever present under the earth.

WHAT OTHER SOURCES OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY EXISTS

There are other sources of alternative energy that could replace electricity as well, such as gas and nuclear power. But these are artificial sources of energy that is not limitless and that is not as kind to the environment as renewable energy.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE ENERGY EFFICIENT? To be energy efficient does not mean that we have to completely stop using energy. It simply means to not waste any unnecessary

energy, to use less energy to perform the same activities and to learn how to make use of other, renewable sources of energy that

is kinder to Mother Earth. Basically it means to use energy smarter.

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WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO SAVE ENERGY AND BE MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT IN SOUTH AFRICA? Our energy in South Africa currently mainly comes from electricity. This electricity is made at coal-fired power stations and the

processes release too much green gases that are harmful to our environment. Because of the considerable socio-economic

development that has taken place in our country since 1994, much more electricity had to be produced to supply the demand of so

many more people and businesses. This caused us to emit even more of these harmful gases into the environment. It is therefore

important that we learn to use less electricity and be more energy efficient, to not only save the Earth for our future generations, but

also to ensure that there is enough energy for all.

WHY IS GOVERNMENT BUILDING TWO LARGE NEW COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS?

Government is building two new power stations named Medupi and Kusile to provide more power for the fast growing needs of our country and reduce power blackouts. While this is happening, Government is also conducting research and putting measures in

place, to ensure that we can gradually start switching over to become more dependent on other, renewable forms of energy.

ARE THERE MORE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD BE ENERGY EFFICIENT? Manufacturing so much more electricity to meet the needs of our developing country, requires large sums of money. To raise this

kind of money requires steep increases in the rates that we pay for electricity. By saving energy and electricity, we reduce our

electricity bills, keep more money in our own pockets and we help to keep these increases at a minimum.

WHAT BENEFITS DOES SAVING ENERGY HOLD? It saves the environment

It saves you money

It ensures energy for all

IS IT DIFFICULT TO START SAVING ENERGY? Saving energy is not difficult at all, as it only takes a few simple changes in our households and in our behaviour. These are some

of the things that all of us can do to start saving energy:

Do not let lights burn unnecessarily and switch off the lights every time you walk out of the room

Replace your light bulbs with CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) as it uses less energy Do not fill your kettle up, but only boil enough water for what you need

Cool hot food off before you put it in your fridge and do not leave your fridge door open

Empty your fridge and switch both your fridge and geyser off when you go on holiday

When you make food in your oven, do not open and close the door often, but only open it when the food is done

Rather shower than bath as it uses less water

Do not let any water run out of taps unnecessarily

If you use a washing machine, only wash full loads

CAN SMALL CONTRIBUTIONS REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

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If we all work together and every household made a “small” contribution towards saving energy, it would make a huge difference in our country overall, and there will be more energy available to supply to those in need. Information on more practical savings can

be found at www.savingenergy.co.za.

EDITORIAL NOTES This fact sheet has been distributed by Stone, on behalf of the Government Communication Information System (GCIS), as part of

the National Energy Efficiency Campaign. For more information, visit www.savingenergy.co.za or contact Marion Banks on 082 362

1877, e-mail [email protected];za or Nyiko Nkuna on 082 686 8049, e-mail: [email protected]

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GCIS ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN PRACTICAL FACT SHEETS AND ENERGY SAVINGS HINTS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY RADIO’S; NEWSPAPERS AND CONSUMER DIRECTED MEDIA FACT SHEET 2: TAKING BACK YOUR POWER

HOW YOU COULD TAKE BACK YOUR POWER TO REDUCE POWER BLACKOUTS No one enjoys the effects of power blackouts, but each one of us can help to prevent this as far as possible by doing our bit to save

electricity. Besides, apart from reducing the chances of power blackouts, using less electricity also saves you money while caring

for our planet. Let us talk about a few simple actions you can take in your own home to take back your power and do your part...

WHY BURNING THOSE LIGHTS ARE AS GOOD AS BURNING MONEY

Burning those lights when it is not necessary is as good as burning your money. Switch off the lights every time you walk out of the

room. As far as possible, also replace your old light bulbs with CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps). CFLs are readily available at

most supermarkets, can provide energy savings of up to 75% and even slash maintenance costs as they last six to eight times

longer!

HOW ONE CAN INCUR HOT ELECTRICITY SAVINGS IN THE KITCHEN The kitchen is so much more than a room where you prepare your food. If you are clever about how you use it, it can easily incur

some hot savings on your electricity bill. Here are some of the things everyone can do to save energy:

When you cook food in the oven, do not open the door all the time, as the heat will escape and it will have to use more

energy to reach the same temperature again

Do not fill your kettle up every time you use it, but only boil the quantity of water that you really need

If you have one, use a pressure cooker to reduce the cooking time of food that usually takes long to cook, such as stews,

pot roasts and puddings

Let food cool off properly before you put it in the fridge or freezer so that it doesn’t have to use power to cool it off

If you plan on cooking food in your microwave, defrost it in advance by putting it in the fridge the day before or on the

morning that you leave for work

Empty your fridge and switch it off when you go on holiday If you have a dishwasher, only use it when it is full

HOW MUCH ENERGY YOUR LAUNDRY REALLY TAKES We all know that doing laundry is a lot of effort, but it could also use a whole lot of unnecessary energy. Here’s what you could do

to minimise the use of electricity when doing your washing:

If you use a washing machine, avoid washing just a few items at a time, but wait until there is enough washing to do full

loads


Only use the tumble dryer to dry your washing when it rains or when it is too cold to dry it outside Iron large batches of clothes at once, to ensure that the iron does not have to reheat all the time

THOSE UNSUSPECTED APPLIANCES THAT USES ENERGY EVEN WHEN THEY ARE OFF

There are some general appliances that use electricity, even while they are turned off. These are the appliances that you switch off

with a remote control, but although non operational, they still remain in standby mode. This means it could use up to 50% of the

electricity that it normally would! This includes the likes of TVs; VCRs; home entertainments systems and computers. So be sure to

switch these appliances off at the power button.

THE GREATEST GUZZLERS OF ENERGY IN YOUR HOME It has been proven that the appliances that generally use the most energy in households are geysers and space heating. Geysers

account for around 39% of the power used in households, while space heating and air-conditioning uses more or less 16%. Here’s

what you can do to incur mega savings on your electricity bill:

Turn your geyser down to 60˚C, as this is hot enough for general household use

Switch your geyser off before you leave for work and only turn it on again before you go to sleep at night. The water will

then be warm again when you bath or shower in the morning

As far as possible, rather shower than bath, as it uses lots less water and therefore lots less electricity

When using small quantities of water like for washing your hands, rather use cold water, unless hot water is absolutely

necessary Try not to let water run unnecessarily and get into the habit of using plugs when doing washing in the basin

Be sure to fix leaking hot water taps, as it can easily drip away up to 18 litres of water per day!

In winter, rather dress warm before you go to bed and switch off that space heater

If you are using an electric blanket, switch it on the highest setting to warm your bed just before you go to sleep and

switch it off the moment you get into bed

Do not switch heaters on in every room, but only warm up the rooms where you and your family are spending time

If you make use of air-conditioning in summer, keep the temperature at the “Golden Zone,” which is between 18˚C and

22˚C

THE BENEFITS OF SAVING ENERGY

Saving electricity and energy is to everyone’s own benefit as it saves money, while also caring for the environment and ensuring

energy for all. More practical energy savings tips can be found at www.savingenergy.co.za



1877, e-mail [email protected];za or Nyiko Nkuna on 082 686 8049, e-mail: [email protected].


GCIS ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN PRACTICAL FACT SHEETS AND ENERGY SAVINGS HINTS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY RADIO’S; NEWSPAPERS AND CONSUMER DIRECTED MEDIA FACT SHEET 3: MEGA SAVINGS THROUGH ENERGY SAVINGS

HOW TO ACHIEVE MEGA SAVINGS OF UP TO 50% ON YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL Most people are unaware of the fact that one could easily achieve savings of anywhere between 20-50% on their electricity bill,

through a few minor investments and a couple of simple changes in their homes. Here is how to address the main guzzlers of

energy in households:

BE SURE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR SPEND The first step to major energy savings is to gain an understanding of your household’s energy usage. The graph here below

provides a breakdown of an average household’s consumption in a month:

THE MOST ENERGY HUNGRY APPLIANCES IN YOUR HOME

As illustrated in this graph, your geyser and space heating and air-conditioning accounts for the greater portions of your electricity

bill. This is what you can do to address these and start seeing some significant reductions on your electricity bill almost

immediately:

REPLACE YOUR GEYSER WITH A SOLAR HEATED WATER GEYSER Research by energy experts have indicated that by using a solar heater water geyser, you can reduce your electricity by anywhere

between 30-50%! Best of all is that this technology is now more accessible and affordable to the South African homeowner through

an energy rebate that is sponsored by ESKOM, in collaboration with other national energy related organisations such as the

Department of Energy; The Central Energy Fund (CEF); the Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA); the National


Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). This means that apart from

enjoying significant savings on your monthly electricity bill, you can also claim a substantial portion of what you spend on the

installation of such a solar heated water geyser back! This programme, named the Solar Water Heater Programme, will only run for

a limited period. So to take advantage of the opportunity to save, visit www.eskom.co.za now.

BE SMART ABOUT HEATING OR COOLING YOUR HOME Heat your home correctly. Use a two-kilowatt fan heater or an oil heater to effectively heat single rooms and only buy

heaters with built-in thermostats that has a short warm-up time. Also avoid under floor heating for warming up a room.

Insulate your ceiling to contain temperature. In non-insulated homes, around 40% of heat loss takes place through the

roof. Insulation slows heat transfer and makes your home up to 10% cooler in summer and 5% warmer in winter.

Consider the effect of the sun. Because the sun’s position in the sky changes with the seasons; it would be wise to use

roof awnings and overhands to help shade your windows from the hot sun in summer while still allowing the warm winter

sun in.

HOW TO REDUCE ELECTRICITY COSTS WITHOUT SPENDING A CENT Here are a number of additional actions you can take to reduce the electricity usage of these main energy guzzlers in your home,

that doesn’t cost a cent:

Turn your geyser down to 60˚C, as this is hot enough for general household use

Switch your geyser off before you leave for work and only turn it on again before you go to sleep at night. The water will

then be warm again when you bath or shower in the morning

As far as possible, rather shower than bath, as it uses lots less water and therefore lots less electricity

When using small quantities of water like for washing your hands, rather use cold water, unless hot water is absolutely

necessary

Try not to let water run unnecessarily and get into the habit of using plugs when doing washing in the basin

Be sure to fix leaking hot water taps, as it can easily drip away up to 18 litres of water per day!

In winter, rather dress warm before you go to bed and switch off that space heater

If you are using an electric blanket, switch it on the highest setting to warm your bed just before you go to sleep and

switch it off the moment you get into bed

Do not switch heaters on in every room, but only warm up the rooms where you and your family are spending time

If you make use of air-conditioning in summer, keep the temperature at the “Golden Zone,” which is between 18˚C and

22˚C

ADDRESSING OTHER MAJOR ENERGY USERS IN YOUR HOME Although not as energy hungry as the above, changing the way you apply and look at the following appliances and household

elements can also incur some mega savings on your electricity bill:


POOL PUMPS Run your pool pump for shorter periods. Those of us that have pools prefer our pools to be crystal clear, but it comes with

a price. On average, a swimming pool with a 750W filter pump uses at least 232kWh of electricity per month. Reducing

the running time of your pool pump by four hours per day for a month, you will save around 93kWh, which is a saving of

about 40%.

Clean your pool pump filters. Doing this frequently will keep the system functioning efficiently and using less power.

Invest in a pool cover. It will keep your pool cleaner for longer (meaning even less work for your pool pump) and it will take

the chill out of the water over the winter months.

LAUNDRY Use a front-loading washing machine. It uses less water than a top loader and costs less to operate.

Use a tumble dryer with Electronic Humidity Control (EHC). It shuts the machine off automatically when clothes are dry,

unlike older dryers which rely on timers.

LIGHTING Replace your light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs). CFLs will help you to consume about 80% less

electricity than conventional bulbs and as a bonus, will last six to eight times longer.

Install movement sensors on your security lights. This will ensure that your lights are not burning all night.

Use solar powered lights in your garden. It is easy to install, make for attractive features and rely completely on energy

from the sun.

MONEY IN YOUR OWN POCKET SAVES THE ENVIRONMENT Using less electricity does not only put back money in your own pocket, but it also saves our planet and helps to ensure energy for

all. For more practical energy savings tips, visit www.savingenergy.co.za.





GCIS ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN PRACTICAL FACT SHEETS AND ENERGY SAVINGS HINTS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY RADIO’S; NEWSPAPERS AND CONSUMER DIRECTED MEDIA FACT SHEET 4: TAKING FREE POWER FROM THE WIND AND SUN

TAKING FREE POWER FROM THE WIND AND SUN The energy resources that are currently mainly used in South Africa, are coal; electricity; gas and liquid fuels. These resources are

not limitless and because of the constantly growing demand for more energy, they are depleting fast. It is for this reason that

alternative energy sources such as renewable energy is being investigated, that comes from natural sources and that can easily

replace itself. Two such sources of renewable energy that is abundantly available in our country, is the wind and the sun. And

taking power from the wind and sun is completely free.

HOW POWER IS GENERATED FROM THE SUN

Power created from the radiant light and heat from the sun, is called solar energy. Solar energy has been harnessed by humans

since ancient times and remains one of the most resourceful sources of energy for the future. One of the reasons for this is that the

total energy we receive each year from the sun, is around 35 000 times more than the total energy that is on average used by man.

Solar energy can be used to generate electricity; heat water and to heat, cool and light up buildings. This is for example done

through photovoltaic systems, that capture the energy from sunlight and then convert it directly into electricity. Alternatively,

sunlight is collected and focussed through mirrors. This creates a high intensity heat source that can be used to generate electricity

by means of steam turbine or heat engine.

HOW POWER IS GENERATED FROM WIND Wind energy is created through energy that naturally occurs when the air moves forcibly enough to create wind. Wind energy can

for example be used to charge batteries or pump water. But it can also be used to generate electricity. Power plants that uses

windmills or wind turbines to generate electricity, are called wind farms. These wind farms use large modern wind turbines to

produce large volumes of electricity for utilities. Small turbines are use to meet localised electricity needs.

OTHER SOURCES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY Apart from wind and sun that is available in great quantities in South Africa, a number of other renewable energies are also being explored. Here is a summary of what they are:

Biomass Biomass is plant material that contains energy from the sun that has been captured through a process called photosynthesis.

When these plants are burnt, they release the sun’s energy that is stored within. One can therefore almost say that biomass is like

a natural battery for storing solar energy. And as long as biomass is produced sustainably, it could last indefinitely. Biomass is


generally produced in one of two ways: either from plants that have been grown specifically for this purpose, or through using the

remains of existing plants that are used for other things.

BIOFUELS Biofuels is fuel that is usually produced from plant biomass and treated municipal and industrial waste. The most common types of

biofuels are ethanol and bio-diesel. Ethanol is made by fermenting any biomass that is rich in carbohydrates, such as maize. Bio-

diesel is made through using vegetable oils; animal fats and algae (plant-like organisms that mainly grows in water).

HYDROPOWER Hydropower, also called hydraulic power or water power, is power that is derived from the energy that is created by the force of

moving water. Hydropower can be harnessed for useful purposes such as making electricity. Electricity that is made from water

power, is called hydro-electricity. Hydro-electricity comes from the damming of waters and rivers. As soon as this “dammed up”

water is released, the pressure causes turbines to start turning and produce electricity.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY Geothermal energy is power that comes from heat that is naturally formed just below the earth’s surface due to geothermal activity.

This geothermal activity is caused by a number of elements that started right at the formation of our planet; such as the radio-active

decay of minerals; volcanic activity and solar energy that has been absorbed by the earth. This natural geothermal energy has been used since the beginning of times for bathing or space heating. In modern times though, geothermal energy is used to

generate electricity. Geothermal power plants use deep, hot dry rock as heat exchangers by pumping water through them to create

steam or hot water that makes the turbines turn and produces electricity.

VIABLE SOURCES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY Although the sources of renewable energy stated here, are all forms of natural energy, not all of them are financially viable. Drilling

into the earth to explore deep resources of geothermal energy for example, is very expensive. Renewable energy resources and

the technology required to utilise it, should therefore be carefully researched and investigated first, to determine the most viable

sources for cheaper energy that can be made available to all.

SOLAR TECHONOLOGY THAT IS READILY AVAILABLE TO HOUSEHOLDS IN SOUTH AFRICA As part of a programme to promote solar water heating in South Africa, ESKOM, in collaboration with other national energy-related

organisations such as the Department of Energy, is making solar water heating technology accessible and affordable to the South

African Homeowner. This National Solar Water Heating Programme supplies the first ever rebate to homeowners who install a

solar water geyser in their homes. A portion of what you spend on the installation of such a geyser, can thus be claimed back.

It has been proven that geysers are the main guzzlers of energy in most homes, and that using a solar water geyser can incur

savings of up to 50% on your electricity bill. What’s more, is that because using a solar water heater will reduce usage of electricity, it will help to prevent power blackouts; while caring for our planet and ensuring energy for all. For more information on how this

Solar Water Heating Programme works, visit www.eskom.co.za.


GCIS: ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN PRACTICAL FACT SHEETS AND ENERGY SAVINGS HINTS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY RADIO’S; NEWSPAPERS AND CONSUMER DIRECTED MEDIA FACT SHEET 6: A MUST FOR ALL BUSINESSES: REDUCE OPERATIONAL COSTS THROUGH SAVING ENERGY

A MUST FOR ALL BUSINESSEES: REDUCE OPERATIONAL COSTS THROUGH SAVING ENERGY The Commercial and Industrial sectors, known as large power users, account for more than two thirds of our national electricity

usage. Every business can therefore gain from trimming down their operational costs substantially, simply through employing a

“Save It “attitude and reducing their energy consumption. Let us take a look at some of the basic elements that should form part of

best energy management practices.

COMMERCIAL SECTOR: ENERGY EFFICIENT BY DESIGN

Ideally, energy efficiency starts with good building design that has been purposefully created to reduce lighting; heating and cooling

needs. Consulting with architects who specialise in such “green design,” and planning your commercial building this way, can

reduce your electricity expenditure by up to 70%. However, if your business is already set up in an existing building, it could only

take a few small steps to correct energy inefficient components. Here are examples of some simple actions your maintenance

manager can take:

Make sure that doors between air conditioned and "non-air conditioned" spaces are closed at all times. The use of

automatic doors, self-closing doors and air curtains should also be investigated

Seal cracks and broken windows that allow air conditioned air to escape Install blinds and awnings to reduce the amount of sunlight penetrating rooms through windows in summer. By opening

them in winter, more heat is allowed in, reducing the need for heating

In areas that have high levels of natural light, consider switching off electric lights

Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps

Check airflow through the building. If it is not efficient it will require the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to

work harder to achieve desired temperatures

Use air conditioners economically by setting them to maintain the temperature between 18˚C and 22˚C, which is referred

to as “The Golden Zone”

Use wall and ceiling insulation to reduce heat loss and consider the installation of double glazed windows Consider installing a building management system that connects the lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning

system, and automatically regulates the use of both

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT WORK

Your staff should be made aware that energy efficient behaviour is the responsibility of all and that it can result in huge savings for

the company. Put up posters that will remind them to do some of the following:


Make sure that equipment like computers are switched off when not being used

Do not leaving photocopiers in standby mode after hours, as it can still use up to 50% of the power that it normally would

Switch off lights that are not being used and as far as possible, make use of natural light that is available

Ensure that all equipment is switched off and lights are off when the office closes for the day

ENERGY SAVING IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

The largest amount of electricity is used by the industrial sector. It therefore only makes sense for any organisation that falls within

this sector, to have energy reduction strategies in place and to remain abreast of alternative technologies that could reduce the

dependence on electricity- which in turn will reduce operational costs considerably. And once again, as in the commercial sector,

the main guzzlers of energy could very well be heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Here are some of the actions that can be

taken to trim down those electricity expenses:

RETROFIT OF HEATING; VENTILATION AND AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEMS (HVAC) Older HVAC systems or components thereof can result in inefficiency, which in turn leads to unnecessary energy consumption. Be sure to check the following components for efficiency and effect retrofitting where needed:

Chillers: Determine the COP (coefficient of performance) of the chillers. Compare this to the manufacturer specification

and a new chiller's performance for a benchmark. The COP is the relation between the amount of cooling of the chiller

and the electricity used. The higher the COP, the more efficient the chiller. The COP usually ranges between 1, 5 and 3, 5

Cooling Towers: The chiller performance is directly related to the cooling tower performance. Check the temperature of

the return coolant from the condenser and the temperature of the coolant leaving the cooling tower. Compare the

temperature change to the manufacture specification and a new cooling tower performance as a benchmark

Ducts: Check cold air ducts for quality of insulation or for any leaks. If the insulation is not up to standard consider improving it. If there are leaks repair them because cooling energy is lost. Both cases would result in an increase of the

HVAC's energy consumption

Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers: Check if the humidifiers and dehumidifiers are working properly, because of not, the

comfortable temperature range changes. When the dehumidifiers are not operating correctly the operators reduce the

inside temperature set point, to counter act the effect of high humidity. This increases the electricity consumption and can

furthermore cause sick building syndrome. Sick building syndrome can also occur if the air is not humid enough. ISO and

ASHREA have internationally recognised specification on the humidity and temperature set points

Coolant pipes: Check that the coolant pipes do not leak. Check the insulation around the coolant piping. If the insulation is

not up to scratch cooling is lost; this would increase energy electricity consumption Type of HVAC: VAV Variable Air Volume) systems are usually more efficient than CAV (Constant Air Volume) systems

Economiser: Determines if the economiser cycle is functioning properly

VSD (Variable Speed Drives): VSD on the compressor motors can reduce consumption up to 50% depending on the

system


Lights: Install lights with low thermal emissions, the low thermal emissions would reduce the heat load of the building. A

reduced heat load would reduce the energy electricity consumption of the HVAC system when cooling

CONTROL ENERGY USAGE THROUGH YOUR HVAC – CONTROLS

Optimise HVAC controls to ensure user comfort and minimise electricity costs. These are a few critical checkpoints:

Set internal temperature to the maximum acceptable point Evaluate night setback control against dynamic control

Relate chilled water temperature to building load

Reduce warm fresh air intake to an acceptable limit and recycle colder inside air. Consult international standards on the

amount of fresh air that has to be supplied to a conditioned building

Use the cold outside air during the night to cool the building (free cooling). This is usually done in places with low humidity

Switch off non-essential electrical loads or enable power save mode, if available, during the night. This reduces non-

essential electrical load energy, electricity consumption and reduces temperature build up in the building. Energy

Electricity is also wasted by the HVAC system in overcoming this temperature build up

HVAC – THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE

There are two main types of TES (Thermal Energy Storage); structural and storage tank TES. With structural TES the storage

capacity of the building envelope and internal matter is used to store cooling energy. With storage tank TES an additional storage

facility is built that stores cooling energy. The storage medium can include water and, ice, etc. In both types of TES, the storage

medium is cooled during the night in off- peak when electricity is cheap. The storage is then used during the day to replace or

decrease the chiller electricity consumption.

EASY TO IMPLEMENT INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL LIGHTING TIPS Install efficient lighting systems The use of electronic ballasts is not common in commercial and industrial lighting systems, yet they can save up to 60%

of the electricity required

Many lights are generally left on unnecessarily in buildings during the day and night. Lighting controls in buildings can

ensure that energy is conserved during periods of low occupancy

When buildings with centralised air conditioning plants are fitted with energy efficient lighting, these systems generate less

building heat load, so energy is saved on cooling equipment

Optimising the design and location of light fittings can also save energy. It is wise to make use of the services of lighting

specialists when making choices on lighting system design.

MANAGE YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN A FORMAL MANNER

Make energy efficiency part of your core business strategy, as this will not only incur savings, but it will also illustrate that you are a

responsible company that considers the impact of your operations on the environment. Official energy management enables the

formalisation of monitoring, evaluating and targeting energy consumption as well as providing sector-specific benchmarking

information. Within industrial and commercial applications, the concept of energy management must also embody other key areas,


including Training; Motivation and Awareness; Green Accounts (where companies audit the environmental performance of their

operation, as well as its economic performance); Energy Policy and formalised Monitoring & Targeting (M&T). The importance of

effective M&T cannot be over-emphasised, as it provides the yardstick against which savings are targeted and improvements are

measured. Without the key information that M&T provides, attempts to save energy within an organisation can be frustrating, futile

and de-motivating.

The implementation plan for the Industrial Sector will execute a special project designed to develop a monitoring and targeting

system in collaboration with the database function at the DME.

MEASURE REAL RESULTS THROUGH ENERGY AUDITS Energy audits have internationally been used across all sectors to identify efficiency measures that can be implemented in a cost-

effective manner. However, to be effective it has often required both the audits as well as the implementation of measures to be

compulsory or to be supported by subsidies.

The South African electricity utility, Eskom, has launched a national Demand-Side Management (DSM) initiative to audit energy use in the industrial, commercial and residential sectors. The DSM audits support Eskom’s long-term strategy to reduce South

Africa’s electricity demand during peak periods. Wholly-owned by the South African government and generator of 95% of the

state’s electricity, Eskom states its Energy Audits mission statement as: “Demand-side management and the encouragement of

energy efficiency…To independently evaluate, audit and report on the status of energy efficiency and load management activities.

More information on this DSM programme can be found at www.eskom.co.za

SAVE IT, FOR YOURSELF AND FOR US ALL Saving electricity and energy is to the benefit of every business, as it saves money and contributes to cheaper electricity rates,

while also saving the environment and ensuring energy for all. For more energy savings tips, feel free to visit www.savingenergy.co.za




Fact Sheet 1 Why you should know all about...

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Transcript of Fact Sheet 1 Why you should know all about...