If your business uses elevators to transport visitors between floors, you may be concerned about how much energy these machines consume. Elevator power usage can vary significantly depending on the type of elevator and other factors. But the good news is that modern elevators use much less power than their antiquated counterparts.
Learn how much energy elevators use and how to improve the safety of your system with the right elevator monitoring technology.
Average Energy Usage for Different Types of Elevators
The average elevator power usage varies depending on the type of elevator and other factors. Hydraulic elevators tend to use more energy than electric cable elevators, for example.
One estimate reports that the energy consumption for a hydraulic elevator in a three-story building can climb up to 4,000 kWh per year. Meanwhile, traction or electric cable elevators use an average of 2,000 kWh per year in the same-sized building.
Residential elevators use significantly less power, as they typically run less often and carry less cargo. A typical residential elevator consumes about 1 kWh of electricity per day, or approximately 365 kWh per year.
Factors Impacting Elevator Power Usage
The best way to determine how much energy your elevator uses is by reviewing your energy bill and your elevator’s performance metrics. You can also speak with the manufacturer about the power usage for your specific model.
The following are several factors affecting elevator energy use:
- Size: Larger elevators with higher weight capacities may use more energy to run than smaller models.
- Age: Older models do not include much of the energy-efficient elevator technology that is standard in modern machines, increasing their power usage comparatively.
- Usage patterns: The same elevator will use more energy to transport one or two people than it would to transport a full car. The frequency of use and usage patterns both significantly impact energy consumption.
Tips To Reduce Elevator Energy Usage
The most effective way to reduce elevator power usage is to install a modern, energy-efficient elevator. You can also make small changes to help minimize energy usage in your elevator, such as:
- Installing LED lighting to reduce the costs necessary to illuminate the elevator
- Using a regenerative drive system that captures and uses some of the energy output generated during braking
- Adding a standby setting that lets you turn off certain elevator settings when not in use
- Installing motion sensor lights that turn off when the elevator is not occupied (while ensuring integration with safety systems to prevent the elevator from going dark when in use)
It may help to start by conducting an energy audit to understand which elements use the most energy. If your elevator is severely inefficient, you may consider replacing it with a modern one.
Improve Elevator Safety With ELEVATE Monitoring
Now that you have a better idea of an elevator’s power usage, you can take steps to start improving your elevator operations. Now may also be a good time to enhance elevator safety with ELEVATE Monitoring.
Our two-way elevator cameras make it easy for occupants to seek assistance when they need it. Contact us today at 877-990-9191 to learn more.
