Energy Saving Case Studies

Minimising energy use for ventilation – Chemistry Research Laboratory (CRL)

In the first five years of operation at the CRL, energy use has increased only slightly despite a 30% increase in bench scientists. The actions that have minimised usage in this period include energy efficiency induction talks, fume cupboard sash closure reminders, pro-active maintenance, annual servicing and daily BMS tuning.

Minimising energy use for ventilation - case study (452kb)

Air Compressor – Department of Physics

The department of physics replaced two air compressors which saves 49,913 kWh/year, cut their electricity costs by over £3,743 a year and reduced their carbon emissions by 26.8 tonnes a year.

Air Compressor - case study (150kb)

Insulation – Careers Service

Careers Service insulated bare valves and pipes in the boiler room and several rooms to save energy and reduce over-heating which saves 35,600 kWh per year, cut their gas costs by £900 per year and reduced carbon emissions by 7.25 tonnes per year

Insulation (pipes and valves) - case study (87kb)

Lighting Controls – Rothermere American Institute

All the lighting in the Vere Harmsworth Library in the Rothermere American Institute was left on during opening hours, even when it was sparsely occupied. Automatic lighting control were installed in reading areas which switched off the lights when natural light levels were high, and the bookstack lights came on only when a reader entered a particular stack. Electricity consumption fell by 17%.

Boilers and Controls – Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens require year round heating for its many glasshouses. Estates Services replaced the gas boilers with high efficiency condensing units and then installed automatic temperature controls in all the glasshouses, replacing the previous manual controls. The result was a 40% reduction in gas use saving 74 tonnes CO₂ a year.

Condensing boilers – Various

The replacement of existing boilers with high efficiency condensing boilers and new controls has produced some dramatic reductions in annual gas consumption; Engineering and Technology Building saved 36% and Osney One saw a 53% reduction in gas use.

Replacement heating controls – 9 Parks Road

The existing heating controls in 9 Parks Road failed and so the heating ran continuously. After the controls were replaced gas consumption fell by 46%.

Reduction in heating hours – Richard Doll Building

The occupants in the Richard Doll Building were concerned about the high energy costs and so they regularly questioned and reduced the heating hours. Finally it was agreed that laboratory ventilation did not need to run continuously which meant the heating could be off at night and during the summer. The culmination of these steps was a 58% reduction in gas use, saving 234 tonnes CO₂ annually.