'Energy performance measurements gain in necessity'

Due to legal obligation and rising prices

As of January 1, 2023, office buildings are required to have at least energy label C. This means a primary fossil energy consumption of no more than 225 kWh/m² per year. As an independent body, Aboma contributes, among other things, with energy performance measurements for elevators and escalators, measuring power consumption. "There is a lot to be gained with the power consumption of elevators in office buildings, depending on the age and type of elevator installation," says inspector Harry Hulsink.

Aboma's energy performance measurements give a good picture of the energy consumed by the elevators and escalators in different situations. With this information, the building owner, who must visualize the maximum energy consumption of the entire building, can see where and when a lot of energy is consumed and where adjustments are needed to achieve energy reduction, Hulsink said. "Our energy performance measurements are one-offs in the context of obtaining the required energy label, and we perform those measurements according to European elevator standards (EN ISO 25745; ed.)."

Aboma, as an independent body, is able to provide the correct energy performance measurement with a validity of ten years, obviously also of increasing importance given rising energy prices. "We mainly measure elevators in existing office buildings in a broad sense. For residential buildings, the label requirement does not apply, and in new construction situations, the manufacturer must provide the correct energy label for the facilities in question. We can be engaged by the building owner, a consulting firm or the manufacturer who maintains the elevators and/or escalators."

Flat fee

Aboma performs the measurements itself, after which the building owner has an accurate picture of the current energy consumption. The owner of the elevator or escalator installation will then have a good insight into the total power consumption; it may be possible to adjust the operation, reducing the standing charge costs. "We also break down in the measurements the power consumption of the drive system and lighting," says Dr. K. K., who is also a member of the board of directors. Hydraulic elevators and older elevators typically have high consumption; a lot can already be gained with adjustments to the main power connection, motor consumption or a gradual start-up, says Hulsink. "With a so-called soft-starter, the required start-up energy of the installation can be regulated more gradually. Compare it to gears on a bicycle. Modern elevators can also act as power generators; you have to think of recovering energy through the mass of a descending elevator. However, Aboma provides these energy performance measurements purely in the context of an independent label determination, regarding the measured energy performance of the existing installations."