Some of the most powerful motors in a building are the elevator motors. They run almost morning, noon, and night – 60 or 80 hours a week. A favorite energy-saving project is to replace these motors with new high-efficiency units. The savings are boosted by the reduction in demand charge for electricity used during the regular business hours.
Other means are available for building management to reduce the power used by the elevators. Controls to send only one elevator in response to any given call can avoid repetitious trips and also free idle elevators for other calls.
Limiting to one the operable elevators after hours is another thrifty option that should not inconvenience tenants unnecessarily. Another idea is to downsize the motors on all but the freight elevator to spend less energy while transporting lighter loads.
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Excerpt from Energy Conservation Projects.