Reducing Plug Load Electricity is an Often Overlooked Opportunity

 

Facility managers appropriately focus on the biggest energy users in their buildings--HVAC, water heating and lighting. But studies show that plug and process loads (PPLs) can account for 25% to 50% of a property's electricity (not total energy) use. PPLs are electrical loads not related to HVAC, water heating and lighting, such as computers and peripherals, TV's, ice machines, vending machines, coffee makers, water coolers, etc.

 

Organizations that strategically manage their PPLs can significantly cut their electricity use.

 

PPL energy can be trimmed by:

Advanced power strips (APS) reduce energy waste in PPLs by automatically turning them off or down. They're inexpensive, and often have a return-on-investment of less than two years. One can buy APSs that use schedule-timing, load-sensing or occupancy sensing.

 

Different equipment require different efficiency strategies. For example, schedule-timers are effective for equipment that should be left on without interruption during much of the workday, like water coolers. Occupancy sensors are indicated for equipment that can go into sleep mode periodically throughout the day, like computers and task lights.

It's wise to assign a PPL champion who can focus on reducing PPL expenses over time.

 

The following documents help facility managers cut PPL energy use:

 

Chad Lobato, Michael Sheppy, Larry Brackney, Shanti Pless and Paul Torcellini, September 2013

Reducing Office Plug Loads through Simple and Inexpensive Advanced Power Strips

Ian Metzger, Michael Sheppy and Dylan Cutler, January 18, 2014

Saving Energy through Advanced Power Strips

Poster, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, October 2013