• Overview 

     

    We urgently need to cut the emissions from our buildings’ energy use. That may sometimes be a financial challenge, but plenty of support is available to work out what each building needs, put in place easy wins, and plan for more major works. The main categories of action here are:

    • Improving the fabric of buildings to require less heating, cooling and lighting. 

    • Increasing the efficiency of equipment, especially climate control in galleries and museums.

    • Installing lower-carbon sources of energy, such as solar panels and heat pumps.

     

     

  •  

    Energy Supply

    Most traditional energy suppliers get their power through a mixture of coal, gas, fracking, nuclear, and other forms of non-renewable or environmentally unsustainable fuels. 

     

     

    When choosing an ethical energy supplier there are a number of things to look out for:

    The first thing to consider is whether the energy provided was directly generated from a sustainable source (such as wind or solar), or if it was conventionally produced and offset.

    • While all energy ultimately mixes together in most national grids, it is still best to choose a provider which generates their own sustainable energy which can be traced to the source.

    • A number of suppliers claim to provide green energy, however, in many cases this is simply conventionally powered energy which has been offset by the company to make it 'green'. These providers should be avoided where possible.

    • When researching potential providers ask where they get their green energy and how they provide it during low points (e.g. at night, when solar is inoperable). Also ask about their investment and green energy infrastructure programmes.

    • Nuclear is a controversial energy source to which many have ethical objections. It is ostensibly carbon neutral, however it is non-renewable and its radioactive waste is a long-term issue. Be aware that it is often included as part of green energy tariffs. Avoid these at your discretion.

    • Companies which claim to provide ‘green gas’ usually produce such gas through a method known as Anaerobic Digestion (AD). The environmental credentials of this technique are controversial, and the UK's Soil Association argues that 'growing maize for energy is a subsidized form of soil destruction'. No type of gas can ever be truly ‘green’ so it is worth taking this opportunity to review the importance of gas within your energy portfolio.

    • In most cases it should be possible to make a proactive change without spending considerably more money. Even moving to a supplier which provides only partially green energy, if that is the only viable option, is still a positive step.

     

     

  •  

    Energy Use

    There are a number of ways in which energy can leave a building, and these all fall under three general categories; heat, light, and sound. 

     

    Practically speaking, the main ways in which energy can leave a building in the context of a gallery space are HVAC, lighting, and computers and appliances. 

     

    Optimising daylight and switching to LED lighting is effective both in reducing a carbon footprint and in lowering financial costs. LED lighting also reduces waste, as the need for replacement bulbs is greatly reduced. Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) style bulbs, while energy saving compared to incandescent, should be avoided due to the mercury required in their production.

     

    There are a number of structural changes which can be done to preserve expended energy. The simplest, though in some cases most difficult to action, are steps to invest in better insulation, glazed windows, underfloor heating, and other energy saving measures. Any heat loss is energy loss.

     

    Office floor plan, building architecture, and layout of a space can have an impact on energy consumption. Consider rearranging your offices to allow for more direct sunlight in the working areas.

     

    An efficient and regularly maintained HVAC operating system can have a considerable impact on reducing a building’s carbon footprint. Avoiding temperature extremes and scheduling heating and cooling systems to run minimally overnight will not only lower the carbon footprint but also save on energy costs.

     

    This table provides a fascinating inventory of the energy use portfolio of the United States as a whole. Offices draw easily the largest amounts of energy within the commerical sector. Note though that this figure is a simple energy inventory which has not been weighted for GWP. Therefore, these figures are not by themselves an accurate reflection of a carbon footprint or environmental impact.

     

     

  •  

    Effective Actions 

    • Read GCC's commissioned report on Green Tariffs.
    • Switch to reputable green energy suppliers.
    • Update as much as possible the building's insulation to minimise energy out losses.
    • Switch to LED lighting where possible.
    • Keep internal temperatures as consistent as possible, avoiding spikes of air conditioning or heating throughout the year.
    • Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) to a minimum.
    • Some members may have to rely on their property owner to switch energy providers. If you have co-tenants in the building then discuss better options with them.
    • If you own your own property, or if your property owner gives you permission, consider investing in onsite power generation such as solar or wind. These generators can provide clean energy at a fraction of the cost of traditional utilities. In many cases they can even be a small source of income. Investing in your own supply of renewable energy that connects directly to your building, is the only way to ensure that the carbon footprint of your electricity is zero.
    • Read Ki Culture's Energy Ki Book.