Ian Jeffries
Ian Jeffries, managing director at EEVS, discusses the need to balance increased ventilation needs with ongoing energy efficiency strategies.
The theme?
Balancing increased ventilation needs with ongoing energy efficiency strategies.
Where are we now?
Our recent research shows that Covid-19 has led to a surge in ventilation projects as organisations deliver schemes to help reduce the risk of transmission. There has been a twofold increase in reported uptake of office ventilation, cooling and air conditioning in 2020/21. Ventilation must be delicately balanced with a commitment to reducing business carbon footprint.
Crucially, ventilation will be used more energy intensively. Some offices are operating ventilation over a 24-hour period and switching to 100 per cent fresh air, rather than a mix of fresh and re-circulated air – both of which are already driving up consumption. Anecdotal evidence indicates offices that have 80 per cent less staff but are only saving 10 per cent of energy now compared to before the pandemic.
With people returning to offices, there is a potential scenario where increased energy usage will lead to a carbon rebound.
Where do we go next?
Many energy teams will already be focused on aligning their real estate strategy with their corporate net zero vision – but they need to do this by preparing for a carbon rebound and, crucially, should now be making plans to mitigate it.
We are operating in different times now, with new hybrid working models and differing policies on office versus home working – but the reality is that you can’t just turn buildings off at the drop of a hat. There is a clear need for assets to be professionally managed even when occupancy is low so that heating and cooling systems are operating sufficiently.
How do we get there?
One aspect of decarbonising workplaces that doesn’t receive nearly enough attention is the capturing and validation of detailed data on energy performance. Yes, reducing the footprint of corporate estates inevitably requires financial backing, but this is only part of the puzzle – and with competing demands on organisations’ purse strings, evidence of value for money and robust environmental reporting is increasingly important.
Independent, expert verification of the energy and cost savings associated with projects is seen as essential for accountability and governance purposes, as well as to build trust and credibility in supplier performance claims.
There is also the question of funding. Only 10 per cent of corporate energy efficiency consumers responding to our survey regularly access government funding for energy efficiency projects. Businesses – especially smaller organisations – should seek support from the government to stimulate sustained carbon reduction activity from corporate property owners.
As consumers of energy, suppliers of solutions, and policy makers, we all have a responsibility to keep up momentum on tackling the climate emergency.
