Commercial Sector - Energy Saving Advices

1. Purchase equipment with automatic low power mode or energy saving mode.
2. Plug the main device and peripheral devices to switchable multi-socket power bars or intelligent power bars for reducing standby power.
3. Implement green procurement to include energy efficiency requirements when procuring energy-related products.
4. Consider implementation of an Energy Management System for property management in accordance with the ISO 50001 Standard, where appropriate.
5. Establish an energy saving policy or guidelines, set up targets for continual improvement and inform staff members accordingly.
6. Assign representative(s) to coordinate energy saving programmes.
7. Monitor equipment operation by carrying out energy audit continuously.
8. Get staff to understand and commit to good energy saving practices by providing continuous training and communication.

Central Air-conditioners

1. Apply water cool in-house central air conditioner can save 30% energy consumption compared to that using air cool.
2. Adopt inverter type air conditioners can save considerable amount of annual energy consumption in comparison to non-inverter type air conditioners.
3. Install "automatic tube cleaning systems" on water-cooled chillers for maintaining the operation in optimal efficiency.
4. Adjustable air vanes should preferably be used in supply air grilles to provide flexibility in ventilation direction.
5. Balance the air supply system to avoid overcooled spots. Add dampers as appropriate.
6. Check frequently all ductwork and equipment to identify any leaks, especially around joints, coils, casings, access openings and dampers in their closed positions. Rectify the leaking gasket/sealant where necessary.
7. Clean dust filters and fan coil units regularly. Remove obstructions at air inlets and outlets of the air-conditioners and ventilation fan.
8. Adopt natural ventilation or ventilation fans for areas not require air-conditioning.
9. Avoid excessive pre-cooling. Switch on centralized air-conditioning system not more than 30 minutes in advance in the morning.
10. The supply air flow rate should match the space cooling load; no oversupply should be allowed.
11. Maintain average room temperature at 24-26℃ in summer months.
12. Keep the windows and doors closed when the air-conditioner is turned on and use curtains or blinds to shade against sunlight.
13. Switch off the air-conditioner in offices, meeting rooms, etc. right after use. Affix “Save Energy” stickers as a reminder at the exit.

Non-centralized Air-conditioners

1. Air-conditioners with Grade 1 energy label could save up to 43% energy consumption in comparison to Grade 5.
2. Adopt inverter type air conditioners can save up to 40% annual energy consumption in comparison to non-inverter type air conditioners.
3. Adjustable air vanes should preferably be used in supply air grilles to provide flexibility in ventilation direction.
4. Avoid direct sunshine on the outdoor heat exchanger unit.
5. For split type air-conditioners, check frequently all ductwork, pipework and equipment to identify any leaks, especially around joints, coils, casings, access openings and dampers in their closed positions. Rectify the leaking gasket/sealant where necessary.
6. Use fans in conjunction with window type air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively to enhance the cooling effect instead of lowering the temperature of air-conditioners.
7. Adopt natural or mechanical ventilation for areas not require air-conditioning.
8. Maintain average room temperature at 24-26℃ in summer months.
9. Keep the windows and doors closed when the AC is turned on and use curtains or blinds to shade against sunlight.
10. Switch off the AC in offices, meeting rooms, etc. right after use. Affix “Save Energy” stickers as a reminder at the exit.

Ventilation Fans

1. Use high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans. These devices have a low-friction aerofoil design, adopt energy-efficient DC motors, and have a wide range of selectable speeds.
2. Adjustable air vanes should preferably be used in supply air grilles to provide flexibility in ventilation direction.

Lighting Equipment

1. Keep light bulbs and light fittings clean to maximize lighting efficiency.
2. Switch off lighting and heat-producing appliances that are not in use to reduce air-conditioning load.
3. Turn off the lights in any room that are not being used.
4. Maximize daylight usage.
5. Install photocell sensor controls in areas with natural light, such as areas near the windows in communal areas, to switch off some lights to save energy when the illumination level is adequate.
6. Install occupancy/motion sensors to automatically control on/off of lighting in public areas such as corridors, toilets etc.
7. Better choose a light coloured, high-reflectivity decoration scheme to enhance the penetration of the light into the room.

Refrigeration Equipment

1. For domestic refrigerators or cooling equipment, products with Grade 1 energy label could save up to 97% of energy consumption in comparison to Grade 5.
2. Don't put the refrigerator near a heat source - an oven or direct sunlight from a window.
3. Keep fridge at the right temperature and defrost regularly to keep it working efficiently.
4. Leave enough space between refrigerators and the walls for better heat rejection.
5. Allow hot or warm food to cool down before putting it into the refrigerator.

Kitchen and Cooking Equipment

1. Use efficient appliances like microwave ovens or toaster ovens for cooking and baking in small quantities.
2. Avoid using the keep-warm function of electric pots since it consumes lots of energy. Transfer the surplus hot water to a thermal pot.
3. Using pressure cookers can save around two-thirds of cooking time, and hence save energy.
4. Use cooking utensils that conduct heat well. Foods cook faster with pots and pans lid covered, and hence save energy.
5. Use electric pots with automatic switch-off feature for boiling water.
6. Defrost frozen foods in the air before cooking.
7. Shorten the preheating time of ovens as far as possible.
8. Adjust the stove flame to fit the bottom of the cooking pan.
9. Cook several dishes in one session when using the oven, or cook dishes requiring higher temperature first.
10. Always cover pans with lids to keep the heat inside to save energy.
11. Use the timer wisely to avoid over-cooking and energy wastage. Let the residual heat finish the job.

Hot Water Equipment

1. Use instantaneous hot water equipment as far as practicable. Otherwise, use energy efficient storage type hot water equipment with the right storage capacity and temperature control for the commercial needs.
2. Switch the hot water equipment off after use or install a timer control to switch it off.
3. Set the water temperature of the hot water equipment to the lowest acceptable level, especially in summer.
4. Install the hot water equipment as close as possible to the taps to avoid heat loss through pipes.

Computing and Office Equipment

1. Use intelligent adaptor to automatically switch off peripheral devices, such as monitor and printer, for reducing standby power.
2. Follow the maintenance schedules of appliances as recommended in the instruction manual of the related appliance.
3. Switch the office equipment into standby mode in the office after use of any office equipment.
4. Unplug equipment chargers and adapters when they are not in use.
5. Switching off the screen can save even more energy consumption than just letting the screen savers run.
6. Reduce the brightness level of the screen to the lowest level of acceptable comfort.
7. Use the power management feature to preset the computer to "sleep" mode when it is idle and set the wait time to "sleep" mode to be lowest.
8. Switch off the office equipment after office hours and avoid standby mode.
9. Arrange the last-man-out to check and switch off the power source to all air-conditioners, lighting and those office equipment that are not in use.
10. Affix energy saving reminder.

Pumping Equipment

1. Select the right pump based on the usage and choose the right pump size.
2. Implement the right control valves and variable speed drives (VSDs).
3. Improve sealing to prevent leakage.
4. Reduce unnecessary usage and shut off unneeded pumps.

Vertical Transport Equipment

1. Select a lift or escalator system with regenerative power.
2. Switch off the lighting and ventilation fan inside the lift car when the lift is in standby/idle mode.
3. Install motion sensors in the escalators. The motion sensors will trigger the operation of escalators once passengers are detected to save energy consumption.
4. Install energy saving devices such as variable voltage variable frequency (VVVF) drive system for lifts or escalators.
5. Use permanent magnet synchronous motor machines in lift installations and gearless type lift drives to reduce energy consumption.
6. Keeping heating and air conditioning systems well maintained helps them be more efficient while reducing fuel costs. Clean or replace dirty air conditioner filters as recommended.
7. Shut down some of the lifts and escalators during non-peak hours.