Energy Audit
INTRODUCTION
1.1
What's an Energy Audit:
An energy audit is an inspection/survey and analysis of energy flow and usage of a building. It is to used to control the usage of energy input into the energy system without negatively affecting the energy output of the system.
1.2
Objectives
The energy audit is define to meet the following objectives:
To conduct an observation of the energy consumption of all electrical appliances in the lecture theatre.
Identify and evaluate measures that could improve the environmental performance of the lecture theatre and provide recommendations.
Determine what can be done to reduce the energy consumption of the building and what options are available for system improvements.
Suggesting cost effective measures to improve the efficiency of energy use.
INTERPRETATION OF TERMS
Energy Conservation: means steps taken to reduce and to use as much energy as necessary through changing energy consumption behavior. E.g Switching OFF lights and fans when not in use or in need.
Energy Efficiency: using less energy to provide the same output/service. E.g Replacing inefficient light bulbs with efficient ones.
Vampire Load: means the way power is consumed by electronic and electrical appliances while they are switched OFF or in standby MODE( consuming electricity at a cost but not doing any work).
Retrofitting: means upgrading an existing system to improve energy efficiency.
Potential Savings: means the actual reduction in operating expenses from the improved energy efficiency generated by an energy conservation/efficiency activity.
ENERGY AUDIT METHODOLOGY
Data Collection: the data collection was performed by observation and measurements.
Data Analysis: the data collected is processed to draw significant conclusions to pinpoint loopholes and identity the areas to focus upon.
Recommendation: On the basis of the results of data analysis and observation. Some steps for reducing power consumption without affecting the comfort and satisfaction were recommend along their cost analysis.
FINDINGS
Lightning
Lightning is the most common laod which is used in the lecture theater. Here are some of aspects and faults that were discovered during the course of my observation.
Observation/Issues
It's been observed that there is a lot of unnecessary usage of lights especially during the daytime.
There are many lights assigned to one switch.
There are many faulty lightning fittings and bulbs.
Recommendations
Turn off lights when not in use or need.
Replace faulty lightning fittings and bulbs.
Air Conditioning
Observation/Issues
People leaving door open when entering and exiting the theatre when the air conditioner is on, this causing lost of energy.
Windows and doors of Lecture Theatre not sealed properly.
Air conditioners not working properly.
Recommendations
Air conditioners to be serviced regularly.
Use sealed glass windows and doors.
Always close the door when entering and exiting the Theatre.
Switch OFF when not in use and also avoid reducing to a lower temperature and leave it on.
Electric Fans
Observation/Issues
Some of the fans are totally not working.
Most of the fans working are faulty.
Recommendations
Faulty fans should be replaced or repair.
The fans should be serviced regularly.
Vampire Load
Observation/Issues
Electronic appliances (ACs) are ON even though there are turned OFF.
Appliances on standby MODE are draining power even though they are not doing any useful task.
Faulty lightning fittings which don't have bulbs and or have faulty bulbs which is intact are also vampire loads.
Recommendations
All electronic appliances should always be unplugged or turned OFF from the power sockets after use.
Remove fault lightning fittings
Try to avoid putting appliances on standby MODE.
1.1
What's an Energy Audit:
An energy audit is an inspection/survey and analysis of energy flow and usage of a building. It is to used to control the usage of energy input into the energy system without negatively affecting the energy output of the system.
1.2
Objectives
The energy audit is define to meet the following objectives:
To conduct an observation of the energy consumption of all electrical appliances in the lecture theatre.
Identify and evaluate measures that could improve the environmental performance of the lecture theatre and provide recommendations.
Determine what can be done to reduce the energy consumption of the building and what options are available for system improvements.
Suggesting cost effective measures to improve the efficiency of energy use.
INTERPRETATION OF TERMS
Energy Conservation: means steps taken to reduce and to use as much energy as necessary through changing energy consumption behavior. E.g Switching OFF lights and fans when not in use or in need.
Energy Efficiency: using less energy to provide the same output/service. E.g Replacing inefficient light bulbs with efficient ones.
Vampire Load: means the way power is consumed by electronic and electrical appliances while they are switched OFF or in standby MODE( consuming electricity at a cost but not doing any work).
Retrofitting: means upgrading an existing system to improve energy efficiency.
Potential Savings: means the actual reduction in operating expenses from the improved energy efficiency generated by an energy conservation/efficiency activity.
ENERGY AUDIT METHODOLOGY
Data Collection: the data collection was performed by observation and measurements.
Data Analysis: the data collected is processed to draw significant conclusions to pinpoint loopholes and identity the areas to focus upon.
Recommendation: On the basis of the results of data analysis and observation. Some steps for reducing power consumption without affecting the comfort and satisfaction were recommend along their cost analysis.
FINDINGS
Lightning
Lightning is the most common laod which is used in the lecture theater. Here are some of aspects and faults that were discovered during the course of my observation.
Observation/Issues
It's been observed that there is a lot of unnecessary usage of lights especially during the daytime.
There are many lights assigned to one switch.
There are many faulty lightning fittings and bulbs.
Recommendations
Turn off lights when not in use or need.
Replace faulty lightning fittings and bulbs.
Air Conditioning
Observation/Issues
People leaving door open when entering and exiting the theatre when the air conditioner is on, this causing lost of energy.
Windows and doors of Lecture Theatre not sealed properly.
Air conditioners not working properly.
Recommendations
Air conditioners to be serviced regularly.
Use sealed glass windows and doors.
Always close the door when entering and exiting the Theatre.
Switch OFF when not in use and also avoid reducing to a lower temperature and leave it on.
Electric Fans
Observation/Issues
Some of the fans are totally not working.
Most of the fans working are faulty.
Recommendations
Faulty fans should be replaced or repair.
The fans should be serviced regularly.
Vampire Load
Observation/Issues
Electronic appliances (ACs) are ON even though there are turned OFF.
Appliances on standby MODE are draining power even though they are not doing any useful task.
Faulty lightning fittings which don't have bulbs and or have faulty bulbs which is intact are also vampire loads.
Recommendations
All electronic appliances should always be unplugged or turned OFF from the power sockets after use.
Remove fault lightning fittings
Try to avoid putting appliances on standby MODE.
