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Progress

On time
  • Not started
  • Planning
  • Implementation
  • Continuous
  • OBJECTIVE

    Reduce energy use and emissions through optimised temperature settings for heating/cooling.

  • IMPACT

    Low

    HVAC usually accounts for approximately 40% of energy. Every degree increased for heating, and reduced for cooling, can lead to between 5% and 10% efficiency improvements.

Description

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the use of various technologies to control the temperature, humidity, and purity of the air in an enclosed space.

The goal of HVAC is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. Energy consumption and associated emissions can be reduced through optimising temperature settings for heating/cooling.

Automated temperature settings for maximum energy efficiency are:

  • Heating optimal temperature range: 18-20⁰C
  • Cooling optimal temperature range: 25-27⁰C

Council's facilities with higher energy consumption and usage, as determined by facility assessments, will be targeted first.

Tasks

What's left to do?

  • Todo30/06/2024

    Review HVAC programming of buildings and facilities

    Review HVAC programming of facilities - who is responsible, how often is it changed, why are these levels chosen?

  • Todo31/08/2024

    Assess the settings and use of personal heating/cooling devices by staff

    Conduct physical audit of work spaces (e.g. heaters under desks).

    Conduct staff survey on usage of equipment, thermal comfort, and alternative options for managing temperature.

  • Todo31/12/2025

    Ensure HVAC optimisation is standard practice for new buildings

What are we doing?

  • Todo30/06/2024

    Ensure that HVAC systems are set at maximum energy efficiency levels for heating and cooling.

    Automated temperature settings for maximum energy efficiency are:

    • Heating optimal temperature range: 18-20⁰C
    • Cooling optimal temperature range: 25-27⁰C

Summary and contacts

Timeline

Continuous30/06/2035

Target audience

Responsible organisations

  • Indicative costs

    Cost of wages to set temperature ranges

  • Indicative savings

    Operational savings through optimised energy consumption – savings reflect % efficiency improvement.

Information updated 25.11.2024

How this action contributes to the outcome