Using Hard FM Services to Reduce Energy Consumption

With increasing pressures to meet net zero goals and lower site costs, many higher education sites are now looking for new ways that hard FM services can help solve their energy reduction problems on site within their catering areas. Supporting a leading London University with their targets to reduce energy consumption and move closer towards becoming net zero, Artic worked hand in hand with their sustainability team to implement new technologies and reduce unnecessary expenditure across its multiple buildings and catering areas.

Energy Monitoring Systems

To support the University with their reduction of energy consumption across its buildings, Artic installed Centrica Pan Power to monitor the power usage of assets on site to assess and identify how the space could be improved. After a healthy period of monitoring to establish a baseline of expenditure, Artic utilised SMARTCOOL technologies, particularly Cheetah, adding the technology to onsite chillers and AC systems.

What is the technology?

Cheetah is an intelligent demand-controlled ventilation system designed to optimise energy use in commercial kitchens. Cheetah consists of a network of intelligent modules which are interconnected by a data communications network. By continuously monitoring cooking activity, it automatically adjusts extract and supply fan speeds based on the cooking activity from the cookline. Always delivering the required amount of extraction throughout kitchen operations. This not only reduces the fans energy consumption, but also improves kitchen comfort, lowers carbon emissions, and extends the lifespan.

Installation

The equipment was installed in January 2024 and comprised of eight ECO3 controlling a group of heat pumps and two ESM for chillers on site. After the equipment was installed, one heat pump was selected for monitoring and reporting to see what impact the technology would have on the VRF Multi-Split across four floors in the subject building.

To monitor energy savings from the installed equipment, the ECO3 was switched between ‘Savings Mode’ and ‘Bypass mode’ and at the end of the testing period of 3 months, was left in Savings Mode. All data from the SMARTCOOL devices was logged through an online portal that enabled remote status change and all evidence to be recorded.

The device level energy metering was collected and recorded wirelessly, then transmitted to cloud services in real time which could be viewed on the Centrica platform by the University estates team and Artic for close monitoring to measure impact accurately.

To determine the changes in energy consumption, the data collected was examined through a straight comparison of all the “saving days” and the “bypass days.” A regression analysis of daily energy usage was also completed and plotted against ambient temperature of the spaces. Once the data was collated, it was forwarded onto the client’s team for an independent review.

Energy Saving Results

Overall, after monitoring the changes in energy expenditure after the SMARTCOOL technology was installed on site AC and chillers, the data showcased a significant kWh saving per day of 48%. Annually this would result in a total projected annual saving of 5,500 kWh. Not only are the savings in energy consumption large, but this also means large annual cost savings on what was previously spent on electricity, based on the current cost of energy at 23p/kWh. After just over 2 years, the savings the equipment has made will have covered the cost of the equipment and its install, making it a quick return on investment for the client.

 

The Savings Breakdown:

Annual kWh savings: 86,280.48

Annual £ savings (based on 23p per kWh): £19,844.51

Annual CO2 savings: 19.4 tonnes

Fans Energy Consumption Reduction: 74%

ROI: 9 months.

 

Partner with Artic to Start Saving Your Energy

With the increasing expectation for buildings to lower their carbon impact, it is more important now for buildings to identify areas where they can reduce their energy consumption and optimise their facilities’ assets. Having made significant energy savings at the major University in London by nearly half, the client is now a leap closer to reaching net zero on their complex estate through Artic’s proactive approach to delivering a collaborative hard FM service.

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