Inputting the electricity data by building/site
If your company uses more than one site then it would be best to input the electricity usage separately, this enables the use of benchmarking for certain building types. If there is only one building or the electricity readings are per company per year then just enter all the data in one row.
Enter the building area in m2
This will enable benchmarking based on energy use and area of building, and also comparisons between different buildings within the same company.
Enter the kWh reading for electricity use
The emissions produced will then be automatically calculated in the next column. The conversion factors for electricity are based on the make-up of grid electricity and therefore need to be updated each year.
Benchmarking
If any of the buildings are offices, then select the office type from the drop down list. This will then enter a benchmarking figure that is based on typical usage by floor area. If the comparison to benchmark turns red, then this means that the amount of electricity being used is above average. This should hopefully give some indication of which buildings need attention based on their energy consumption.
The categories for Office buildings are as follows:
No air-con cellular - A simple naturally ventilated building. Usual size 100-3000m2. The domestic approach, with individual windows, lower illuminance levels, local light switches and heating controls helps to match the operations with the needs of occupants and tends to reduce electricity consumption in particular. Catering often consists of the odd sink, refrigerator and kettle.
No air-con open plan - Largely open plan but with some cellular offices and special areas. Typical size from 500 m2 and 4000 m2. Office is often purpose built, sometimes in converted industrial space. Illuminance levels, lighting power densities and hours of use are often higher than in cellular offices. There is more office equipment, lights and shared equipment tends to be used by larger groups and stay on for longer.
Air-con standard - Generally purpose built. Typical size ranges from 2000m2 to 8000 m2. Similar in occupancy and planning to no-air con open plan.
Air -con Prestige - A regional or national head office or technical or administrative centre. Typical size ranges from 4000m2 to 20,000 m2. This type is purpose built or refurbished to high standards. Plant running hours are often longer to suit the diverse occupancy.
In this section, as with all the others, there is an option to add carbon emissions directly if they have been obtained from a different source.
