Reduction in Building Energy Requirements by
Modern Energy Conservation Techniques
Waqas Khalid1, Imran Ali Shah2, Qurat-ul-Ain Mehfooz3, Narmeen Irshad4, Dr. Waqar Mahmood5
Alternate Energy Research & Innovation Lab, KICS-UET,Lahore, Pakistan
Waqas.khalid@kics.edu.pk1, Admin@kics.edu.pk2, qurat-ul-ain.mehfooz@kics.edu.pk3,
Narmeen.irshad@kics.edu.pk4, director@kics.edu.pk5
Abstract—Energy Deficiency problem can be addressed
either by increasing generation or by efficient consumption
of energy. Shortage of electricity generation and excessive
usage of electricity power has promoted the energy
conservation measures. Energy audit of building identifies
flaws in load consumption; and overall energy
performance profile can be improved. This case study
presents the complete energy audit of a Public sector
Multi-Office building located in Lahore, Pakistan. A
methodical analysis has been performed and potential
Energy Conservation Recommendations (ECRs) are
proposed for the building. These ECRs are backed up by
the financial analysis. Analysis concludes that more than
30% energy can be saved by efficient utilization and
retrofitting measures only. On field collected data has been
analyzed using software; DIALuxEvo 3 for lighting system,
Hourly Analysis Program (HAP4.41) for heating and
cooling system and Smart-Viewer for thermal imaging.
Keywords—Energy Audit; Energy Conservation;
I. INTRODUCTION
Acute electricity shortage has been a threatening
challenge for Pakistan, for many years now. Mounting
gap between generation and demand side of power
would not be abridged even in near future unless
alternative necessary measures are not taken. Pakistan
can develop effective energy usage on demand side by
adopting Energy Efficient actions for electrical load
profiles of various user sectors i-e domestic users,
commercial users, industrial users. Newer buildings have
an advantage of direct application of all technological
systems and possible energy efficient design structure of
external envelope whereas existing buildings are needed
to be refurbished. Energy retrofitting can be the best and
quicker remedy to minimize the load of generation
capacity; and it can reduce up to 60 to 70% of existing
building consumption. Energy retrofitting involves
different technology executions with high level of
engineering and techno-economic assessments.
Augmented cooling load in summer is the cause of
extended use of heavy appliances like evaporative
coolers, air-conditioners, and chillers. Heat radiated by
the building walls, window panes, floors, equipment etc.
add up to the dissatisfaction of residents/users and hence,
prolonged usage of energy consuming devices. Energy
978-1-4673-6813-1/15/$31.00 ©2015 IEEE
Conservation implementation is the best and quickest
way out of this energy crisis [1].
Energy audit is a methodical approach to analyze the
integrated systems working in an existing building
structure. Building energy consumption baseline is
determined by observing the current electricity usage
pattern and previous utility bills of the building. Building
survey is usually done to collect load data of existing
electrical equipment, accessories, heating, cooling
systems [2], number of occupants, and their comfort
conditions. This leads to the decision if present systems
require any modification or retrofit operation to be
executed. Energy audit is concluded by recommending
fastest and economical technical solutions.
Energy conservation is the way to manage energy
consumption in efficient way and minimize the loss of
energy. It is the utilization of maximum potential of
energy without compromising the essential needs of any
process, systems or the standards. Results of energy audit
are the basic inputs for energy conservations. On the
basis of results from energy audit, potential areas for
energy saving and efficiency enhancement can be chalk
out for econometric analysis and on the basis of that
econometric analysis, decisions for retrofitting measures
are taken [3],[4].
This paper presents the energy audit survey,
retrofitting measures, their impact on overall energy
consumption, forecasted reduction in energy
consumption and their financial analysis with payback
period calculations of a multi-story Public Sector
building in Lahore, Pakistan. We will summarize the
results of the analysis taking into account the baseline
building consumption as well as the economic factor.
About 40% reduction potential is found, which is also
economically viable, after analysis of recommended
Energy Conservation methods [7], [8].
II. ENERGY CONSERVATION METHODOLOGY
Energy audit is a methodical approach to analyze the
integrated systems working in an existing building
structure. Building energy consumption baseline is
determined by observing the current electricity usage
pattern and previous utility bills of the building. Building
survey is usually done to take load data of existing
electrical equipment, accessories, heating, cooling
systems, number of occupants, and their comfort
conditions [5]. This leads to the decision if present
systems require any modification or retrofit operation to
be executed. Energy audit is concluded by
recommending fastest, sustainable and techno-
economical solution. [6].
So, energy audit process is accomplished by
following steps:
1- Survey and data collection of building premises
2- Critical observation of building systems
3- Analysis of data and possible available solutions
4- To take into account the limitations and
feasibility of available choices
5- Return over investment calculation and analysis
6- Recommendation of most feasible solution
III. DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING STATE
Description of understudy multi-office public sector
building is given in this section:
The building is consisted of six floors including one
basement, about 220 offices, conference halls, committee
rooms, library, prayer hall, auditorium, service sections,
electrical sections and sanitation areas, etc. Building has
mostly old single pane, sliding aluminum glass windows.
Roof is made up of black stone with concrete and no heat
insulation layer on top of concrete. The exterior walls are
assumed to have single layer of brick, 13”thick, without
vapor barrier, and drywall.
The occupants schedule (work hours) is noted from
8a.m. to 4p.m. five days a week, while there are few
activities after standard working hours. The total
occupancy of the building is around two hundred and
fifty. Mostly office timings were observed during day
time, so peak office hours are assumed during day.
Although there are activities other than regular time, but
they are usually very less and are ignored.
One year (2013-14) consumption of the building
understudy has been recorded around 313,460 KWh
units which gives broad average unit cost of about ~27
PKR [10]. Broad average consists of fixed charges,
taxes, surcharge and late payment penalties etc. The
estimate of billing unit is quite high and specifies the
need of energy conservation techniques.
IV. BUILDING SYSTEMS
First step in energy audit is the survey of site and
building. Data collected during survey process is
described in following subsections. All presented data is
in the units of daily energy consumption Kilo Watt Hour
(KWh) where eight daily hours of working are
considered.
A. Data Collection
1) Lighting : Lighting system is mainly consisted of
three types of light sources: 4-feet Tube Lights (TL) of
40 Watt (W), 7 watts or 25 W Compact Fluorescent
Light (CFL), and 80 W 2 x 2 feet False Ceiling Light
panels (FCL). Their present installation and
consumption status on each floor of building is
summarized in Table I.
2) Air Cooling Fans: Most of the air cooling
requirement of the building has been fulfilled by 80 W
Ceiling Fans (CF) and 40 W Bracket Fans (BF). There
is huge potential available by replacing the existing fans
with efficient energy saving fans. Furthermore, it was
also observed that the fan sizes and their rod lengths are
improper with respect to room dimension and height
respectively. Most of the fans are generating heat and
working on higher temperature than desired. Daily
consumption (KWh) is summarized in table I.
3) Computer System: Employees mostly use
installed computer systems with both CRT and LCD
display. All available systems were operational.
Moreover, power saving mode was observed to be
activated on working systems. LCD display screens
having rated power of 120Watt and CRT monitors of
200-250 Watt are being used currently in the building
offices. Their consumption (KWh/day) is given in table
I.
4) Heating and Cooling System: Central cooling
system is installed in the building consisted of four gas
fired chillers and capacity of 410 tons. However, it was
observed that central cooling systems are only
operational on upper floors with air out temperature of
22°C. So, most of the time, distributed AC units are
used increasing the load. Load consumption contributed
by air conditioners (AC) is 1392 KWh for 96 ACs
installed on all 6 floors. ACs share the largest load in
building’s power consumption profile as evident from
table I. It would be quite beneficial either air
conditioning units are modified to energy efficient units
or intelligent usage of units is implemented. As central
system consumes less so first priority is to keep it in
operational condition and air ducts must be regularly
cleaned to ensure the air quality for occupants comfort
and satisfaction.
Heating requirements of the building during winter
are only fulfilled by the use of electric resistive heaters
and their consumption data is shown in the table.
 TABLE I BUILDING ENERGY CONSUMPTION DATA which confirm the low level (lumens) in working area.
Category Type of Device Daily KWh 18 Watt LED lights are selected to replace the existing
Tube lights 112.64 40 Watt 4-feet tube lights. DiaLux evaluation is done for
Compact Florescent 85 each room considering the position of luminaire in the
Lighting
Lamp
room with respect to the area and placement of
False ceiling lights 145
Ceiling Fans 135
workstations in the room. Similarly, 12 Watt LED lights
Fans will replace 25 Watt Compact Florescent Lamp (CFL);
Bracket Fans 20.8
Computer PC with LCD 88.92 which has higher lumens, long life and better efficiency.
System PC with CRT 27.6 Also, 2x2 feet, 80 Watt False Ceiling Light (FCL) panels
Air Conditioners 1392
Cooling/Heating will be retrofitted by 36 Watt LED light panels. The
Electric Heaters 76
alternative LEDs also have a rated life span of 100,000
hours versus 5,000 for the existing tube lights, which will
Daily energy consumption by above mentioned various
loads is plotted below: help reduce maintenance costs associated with replacing
burn outs [12].
Daily KWh By considering all above retrofit solutions for
76 112.64 85 lighting of building rooms, about 185 Kilo Watt Hour
145
135 20.8 (KWh) energy will be saved. Also, users must also be
88.92 encouraged to gain awareness in energy conservation
27.6 because simple tips and actions can contribute a lot.
1392
Lights parallel to windows can be switched off to make
use of daylight. Light fittings need cleaning on regular
basis to improve efficiency. Windows and skylights
Tube lights
Compact Florescent Lamp should be cleaned more often to allow in more natural
False ceiling lights light [9], [11].
Ceiling Fans
Bracket Fans Summary of these lighting ECRs with corresponding
energy saving (KWh) is specified below in table II.
Fig.1. Daily consumption (KWh)
B. Retrofitting in Ceiling and Bracket Fans
V. ENERGY SAVING POTENTIAL Energy efficient measures in ceiling and bracket fans
Currently total load of the building is 351KW with can save up to 50% and 44% respectively of existing
all major loads described above. However, employing energy consumption of fan load. Energy efficient fan
various modern era energy efficient technologies, having ~ 40 Watt power rating with 265m3 air per
significant reduction can be achieved. In this section, minute is recommended.
required energy conservation techniques will be Furthermore, it was also observed that the fan sizes
discussed for efficient load reduction. and their rod lengths are improper with respect to room
A. Light Retrofitting dimension and height respectively. PIR occupancy
sensors should be used in every room in order to avoid
In existing lighting arrangement, average lumens
wastage of electricity when room is unoccupied [12],
measured for workplace varies, this is due to
[13].
nonoperational lights in various sections of building.
Over all functionality of this building can be categorized High quality Dimmers or rheostats should be
as ‘office workspace’ so the average lux for study or at installed to modulate fans speed according to
workstation is recommended to be 250 lux. [9] Whereas requirement. Saving potential corresponding to this
in target sections it is less than the level of brightness. category is described in table II.
Lights normally cost 30 to 35% of electricity bills. As
C. Retrofitting in Computer Systems
Light Emitting Diodes LEDs and induction Lamps LVD
are more efficient compare to traditional compact Huge amount of energy can be saved if LCD
florescent lamps CFLs. It was noted that if current lights monitors and especially CRT monitors can be replaced
are replaced with new energy efficient lights such as with LED screen monitors. LED display screens of 32W
LEDs or LVD lamps, the total load of lighting on are recommended. As more than 140 (including LCD
transformer/ generators will reduce on average by 50% and CRT) computer systems are working in offices,
or more without compromising the light requirements of implying greater potential for load reduction. Refer to
building [11]. This will also reduce the energy table II.
consumption yields in utility bill. DiaLuxEvo 3 is used to
analyze the lighting scenarios in the building offices
D. Retrofitting in Cooling/heating Fig. 2. Comparison of Daily Energy Consumption and Saving
Potential
Air conditioning energy consumption in building has
contributed about 60%. We have about 4-5 months of VI. RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)
AC usage in our region. So, it is quite important to
reduce the load due to the air conditioners as well as the The above described retrofit solutions are financially
mounting bill payment. AC units should be used wisely analyzed to check their initial investment cost and to
and proper schedule for maintenance should be followed. estimate the payback period. Following table describes
Central cooling system is better than the distributed the ECRs along with corresponding payback period in
units, thus central system should be in operation and years and Return on Investment (ROI) estimate.
properly maintained. Thermostat should be set at 26°C TABLE III RETURN ON INVESTMENT ESTIMATE
instead of 22°C. As for distributed AC units, we
recommend inverter driven AC units which are energy ECR Payback(years) ROI(%) per year
Approximate Approximate
efficient. Leakage of cool air should be prevented. PIR
FCL 2.1 51%
occupancy sensors would be beneficial or users TL 2.4 43%
themselves must switch off the idle units manually to CFL 2.67 37%
save power and bill. Below is given the potential saving PC with CRT 3 33%
in AC units when replaced with inverter driven units. CF 3.41 29%
PC with LCD 4.5 22%
Electric heaters present 100% saving potential as BF 6.12 16%
these devices can be replaced with gas heaters. Inverter Driven 13 7%
AC
Saving potential in KWh/day is summarized in table II
below: VII. CONCLUSION
Our objective in this paper is to chalk-out the real
TABLE II SUMMARY OF SAVING POTENTIALS potential available in energy saving just by using energy
Category Type ECR Saving efficiently. It was observed that fruitful decision-making
potential is dependent on accuracy of data that comes out of
(KWh)
energy audit. To enhance the reliability as well as the
Lighting TL 18 W LED 61.956
CFL 12 W LED 43.368 quality of energy audit data; proper methods and
FCL 36 W LED 79.904 techniques should be utilized. By doing energy audit and
Fans CF 45 W fan 58.72 energy retrofitting we can reduce the energy
BF 20 W fan 10.4 consumption cost of a building thus reducing the utility
Cooling/ AC 1470 W inverter 263.04 bills.
Heating driven AC
EH Gas heater 76 If we extend these practices to other multi story,
Computer PC with 32 W LED screen 59.828 multi office buildings, we can significantly reduce the
System LCD
PC with 32 W LED screen 21.712
electricity consumption of country [14].
CRT This is general observation that most of the old
buildings and even newly constructed buildings don’t
Comparison of existing and proposed solutions is
take energy efficiency in to account. Construction of new
given below:
power projects cost too much. Therefore, developing and
Comparison of Daily Energy energy starving countries like Pakistan need to have
Consumption and Saving potential implementation of energy conservation techniques.
(KWh)
The Government should facilitate and formulate
1392
relevant regulations. Also academia must be directed to
1500 185.228138.62481.54 formulate testing methods and evaluation standards that
KWh Units

1000 263.04 suit best in Pakistan environment. It is high time to make

342.64 155.8 116.52 76 legislations to set up maximum power consumption
500 76
thresholds for home appliances like ceiling fans etc. this
0
will help to reduce load on grid as well.

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