Case Study: Achieving Energy Efficiency at Bower House

Client: The Guinness Partnership  

Location: Bower House, Oldham  

Area: 54,000 square feet

Saving/ROI: £ 60,000/8 months

Overview  

Holders Technology specializes in providing hardware and software solutions that transform buildings into smarter, more efficient spaces. The Bower House project was delivered by Holder’s partners, Ingy and Danlers, with the project demonstrating the potential of the applied strategies. This case study demonstrates how Holder’s technologies and methods could be implemented to help organizations optimize their building performance and reduce energy consumption.

Challenge

The Guinness Partnership, a prominent housing association, was committed to achieving their Net Zero 2050 target, focusing on reducing energy consumption and minimizing carbon emissions across their properties. The challenge at their Bower House office was to reduce energy costs, increase efficiency, and lower carbon emissions, all while maintaining a comfortable working environment for staff. Key issues included:  

– Energy Wastage: Without detailed monitoring, it was difficult to identify areas where energy was being wasted, especially during off-hours when occupancy was low.  

– High Utility Costs: Energy costs for heating, cooling, and lighting made up a significant portion of the building’s operational expenses.  

– Carbon Reduction Goals: Meeting their long-term sustainability targets required actionable data to understand and reduce their carbon footprint.

Solution

A targeted solution to address these challenges was implemented, primarily utilising technologies from Holders Technology’s partners, including Ingy Lighting Controls and Danlers sensors with embedded Calumino people counting modules. Here’s how the implemented approach worked:

– Deployment of Smart Thermal Sensors: A network of people counting thermal sensors was set up throughout the building to track real-time occupancy data. These sensors gathered granular information on which areas of the office were in use at different times and by how many occupants, allowing adjustments to heating and cooling systems based on actual occupancy.  

– Installation of Wireless Sub-Meters: Nine wireless sub-meters were installed to baseline the current energy consumption of HVAC, lighting, and power systems. This data helped to pinpoint which systems were using the most energy and where improvements could be made.  

– Integration with a Cloud-Based Platform: All collected data was centralized in a cloud-based monitoring platform. This platform provided clear insights into the building’s energy usage patterns, allowing facility managers to make data-driven decisions. The ability to monitor the system remotely also meant that adjustments could be made without needing to be on-site.  

– Automated Control Adjustments: Based on the insights from the data, automated control measures were introduced into the system, adjusting HVAC and lighting settings according to real-time needs. This meant that the building’s energy use could be optimized automatically, ensuring that comfort levels were maintained without using more energy than necessary.

How Holders Technology Would Approach Similar Projects 

Our solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients, aiming to balance comfort, energy efficiency, and cost savings. In a project like Bower House, we would focus on implementing similar technologies, including:  

– People Counting Occupancy Sensors for precise data on space usage.  

– Smart Metering Solutions to measure and manage energy consumption. 

– Centralized Data Platforms for real-time insights and remote control.

The Outcome  

The Bower House project achieved significant results through the use of advanced monitoring and automation, showcasing how modern technology can help meet sustainability targets. The key outcomes included:

– Substantial Energy Savings: The initial baseline measurements indicated potential energy savings of up to 40 percent, leading to an annual reduction in utility costs of approximately 60,000 pounds. These savings allowed The Guinness Partnership to allocate resources more efficiently and reinvest in other sustainability projects.  

– Reduced Carbon Emissions: By optimizing the building’s heating, cooling, and lighting systems based on actual occupancy data, the need for manual adjustments was minimized. This, combined with fewer on-site visits, contributed to a decrease in scope 3 carbon emissions. This progress supported The Guinness Partnership’s vision of reducing their environmental impact and contributing to a cleaner future.  

– Enhanced Comfort and Air Quality: While energy efficiency was the primary goal, the project also improved the indoor environment for employees. Better control of HVAC systems ensured that temperature and air quality were maintained at comfortable levels throughout the day, leading to a more pleasant work environment.

Return on Investment 

The implementation of this smart monitoring system provided a quick payback period, with a return on investment achieved within just eight months. The savings generated from reduced energy consumption quickly offset the initial costs, making the solution not only environmentally friendly but also financially sound.

Broader Implications for Smart Building Solutions 

Although Holders Technology did not contribute directly to this project, the principles and technologies used form a key part of our technology offer. By applying these solutions, organizations can benefit from:  

– Greater Visibility into Energy Use: Our solutions give clients access to detailed data about how their buildings are performing, allowing for targeted interventions to reduce waste.  

– Scalable Solutions: With cloud-based monitoring, adjustments can be made across multiple sites, enabling companies to scale up their energy-saving strategies as needed.  

– Long-Term Sustainability: Our focus on combining energy efficiency with user comfort ensures that organizations can meet their sustainability targets without compromising on the quality of their spaces.

Summary

The Bower House case study serves as an example of how smart building technology can lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency and carbon reduction. With the right data and technology, The Guinness Partnership was able to turn insights into actionable strategies, resulting in substantial savings and a lower environmental impact. At Holders Technology, we are committed to helping clients achieve similar results through tailored solutions that improve building performance, cut costs, and support sustainability goals.