Construction businesses have a lot of energy needs, from powering job sites to running office equipment. With the increasing focus on sustainability and reducing carbon footprints, it’s important for construction companies to identify their most energy-consuming appliances and find ways to reduce their energy usage. In this article, we’ll discuss the top energy-consuming appliances for construction businesses and offer tips on how to reduce their energy usage.
The most energy consuming appliances for construction businesses:
Lighting:
In any construction business, lighting is one of the most significant contributors to energy consumption.
Bright, well-lit workspaces are essential for safety and productivity, but they can also consume a lot of energy. To reduce energy consumption, consider switching to LED lighting, which is more energy-efficient and lasts longer than traditional lighting. LED lighting can also produce less heat, which can reduce the load on the HVAC system.
HVAC Systems:
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are essential for maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature for workers, especially during extreme weather conditions.
In a construction business, the HVAC system may consume a lot of energy because of the large open spaces and high ceilings. On average, commercial HVAC systems can consume between 25% and 50% of a building’s total energy usage. According to the UK’s Carbon Trust, heating and cooling account for 35% of the energy consumption in commercial buildings in the UK.
To reduce energy consumption, consider using programmable thermostats and regularly maintaining the HVAC system to ensure it is running efficiently. A well-maintained HVAC system can also improve indoor air quality, which can enhance the working environment for employees.
Power Tools:
Power tools such as drills, saws, and air compressors are used extensively in the construction industry. These tools can consume a significant amount of energy, especially if they are not used efficiently.
- Excavators: Excavators are heavy-duty construction equipment used for digging, excavation, and demolition activities. They are powered by diesel engines and use hydraulic systems to move the excavator arm and bucket. While excavators do not consume electricity, they do consume a significant amount of fuel, which contributes to their overall energy consumption.
- Bulldozers: Bulldozers are large, powerful machines used for moving large quantities of earth and debris. They are typically powered by diesel engines and are equipped with large, durable steel blades for pushing materials. Like excavators, bulldozers consume fuel rather than electricity, with larger models consuming up to 50 gallons of fuel per hour.
- Cranes: Cranes are used to lift and move heavy objects, materials, and equipment. They are powered by diesel or electric engines and use hydraulic systems to operate the crane arm and hoist. Electric cranes have lower energy consumption compared to diesel-powered cranes, but they require a significant amount of electrical power to operate.
- Backhoes: Backhoes are versatile machines used for digging, excavation, and construction tasks. They are powered by diesel engines and use hydraulic systems to operate the backhoe arm and bucket. Backhoes consume a significant amount of fuel, with larger models consuming up to 10 gallons of fuel per hour.
- Generators: Construction businesses often use generators to provide temporary power on job sites. Generators are powered by diesel, gasoline, or propane engines and consume fuel to generate electricity. The amount of energy consumed by a generator depends on its size and output capacity.
- Welding equipment: Welding equipment is used in construction for welding and cutting metal components. Welding equipment can be powered by electricity, propane, or diesel fuel. Electric welding equipment is the most energy-efficient option, but it requires a significant amount of electrical power to operate.
- Air compressors: Air compressors are used to power pneumatic tools, such as jackhammers and drills, on construction sites. They are powered by electricity or diesel engines and consume energy to compress air. Larger air compressors consume more energy, with some models consuming up to 400 kW of power.
To reduce energy consumption, consider using energy-efficient power tools, such as cordless tools that are powered by rechargeable batteries. In addition, turning off power tools when not in use can also help reduce energy consumption.
Water Heaters:
Water heaters are essential for plumbing companies and other construction businesses that require hot water for their operations. Water heaters can consume a significant amount of energy, especially if they are not energy-efficient.
For commercial electric water heaters, the energy usage can range from 12 kW to 162 kW or more, depending on the size of the unit. For example, a 50-gallon commercial electric water heater typically consumes around 12 kW of electricity, while a larger 120-gallon unit may consume around 36 kW. On average, a commercial electric water heater may consume between 30 kWh and 150 kWh per day, depending on usage.
For commercial gas water heaters, the energy usage can range from 75,000 BTU to 399,000 BTU or more, again depending on the size of the unit. A 100-gallon gas water heater, for example, may consume around 75,000 BTU per hour, while a 250-gallon unit may consume around 199,000 BTU per hour. On average, a commercial gas water heater may consume between 200 therms and 400 therms per month, depending on usage.
To reduce energy consumption, consider using tankless water heaters or high-efficiency water heaters that use less energy to heat water.
Office Equipment:
In addition to the equipment used in construction operations, office equipment such as computers, printers, and copiers can also consume a significant amount of energy. To reduce energy consumption, consider using energy-efficient office equipment and turning off equipment when not in use. For example, some office equipment can go into sleep mode or power-saving mode when not in use, reducing their energy consumption.
Electric Vehicles:
More and more construction businesses are using electric vehicles for their operations. While electric vehicles can reduce the carbon footprint of a construction business, they can also consume a lot of energy. To reduce energy consumption, consider using charging stations that use renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power.
Tips on how to reduce energy usage and save energy
Heating & Energy Efficiency: When your business is not operating on-site, it’s crucial to manage the heating expenses for your employees working in the office. To reduce your heating bills, you can take several measures, including:
- Installing insulation during winter months. The amount of savings you can achieve depends on the type of insulation and the building’s structure. The Energy Savings Trust provides a guide to help you calculate potential savings.
- Insulating the water tanks or piping on your business premises and installing heating reflectors to prevent heat loss, creating a warm office environment.
- Regular servicing of your heaters and boilers to maintain their efficiency. Smart heating controls can also help you to heat the office only when necessary.
- Remove any obstacles from radiators to enhance their efficiency.
- Ensure that you’re not wasting energy by using heating and air conditioning systems concurrently, or running the heating while windows are open.
Control Power Tools: To reduce excessive energy consumption caused by power-hungry heavy machinery and tools, it is essential to use them in a considerate way.
Labelling switches and controls on machinery, conducting regular checks on construction equipment, and ensuring that all staff members understand their operation are some of the ways to help reduce energy usage from machinery. It is also important to switch off motors, fans, and conveyors before leaving the site or at the end of the workday to save energy.
Regular checks on air compressors, which are one of the main culprits of energy wastage, are also essential to prevent leaks that can waste up to 30% of the compressor’s output and result in unnecessary electricity costs.