Protocol for power-saving proves successful

• Regulated room temperature saves vast sums of electricity
• No investment cost, but € 9 700 in annual power savings 
• Reduces CO2 emissions by 24.2 tonnes annually

The Nantes Conference Centre ('The City') in France, a public building, requested an energy audit to understand what actions it could take to save energy and reduce its annual power bills.

It found that heating, cooling and ventillation accounted for 85 % of its electricity bill. The audit revealed a lack of defined rules and protocols for optimising indoor temperature. On average, rooms were between 21°C and 24°C regardless of the season. The City needed to establish consistent ambient temperature levels based on seasons and needs.

A new thermostat policy across the entire site set the temperature at 20°C in winter and 25°C in summer. A communication campaign was carried out to raise staff awareness of these actions, emphasising that the new settings do not affect comfort and well-being.

Key benefits

Following the expert recommendations, The City was able to introduce a relative simple measure, at no added cost, which combined with awareness-raising efforts, has helped to reduce its energy consumption and save € 9 700 per year on electricity and heating.

The City is also considering installing automatic doors with presence detection, which will help to limit hot and cold air loss before, during and after events.