BREEAM Lift Requirements: How Energy-Efficient Lifts Support Certification
Lifts are an important consideration in the environmental performance of many commercial buildings. From the energy they consume to the way they respond to passenger demand, their design and specification can influence a project’s BREEAM assessment.
But what are the BREEAM requirements for lifts, and which technologies can help a building earn credits? This guide explains how lifts are assessed, what the Ene 06 criteria cover and what to consider when planning a new lift installation.
What Is BREEAM?
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a sustainability assessment and certification scheme for buildings. It considers a range of factors, including energy, water, materials, waste, health and wellbeing.
A building’s assessment is based on the requirements of the applicable BREEAM scheme and version. If you’re new to the process, this introduction to BREEAM certification provides useful background.
Lifts are one part of the wider assessment. Selecting an energy-efficient lift won’t automatically secure certification, but an appropriately specified system can help a project meet relevant criteria.
How Do Lifts Affect a Building’s BREEAM Rating?
Lifts can consume electricity while travelling and while idle. The energy required depends on factors such as the number of lifts, passenger demand, journey patterns, control systems and equipment specification.
BREEAM therefore considers more than whether a lift has a low-energy motor. For relevant projects, the assessment examines whether the proposed transportation system meets the building’s needs efficiently, with suitable analysis and supporting evidence.
This is especially important during the design stage, when developers and building designers can compare different lift arrangements before making a final specification.
What Are the BREEAM Ene 06 Requirements for Lifts?
Under Ene 06: Energy Efficient Transportation Systems, relevant UK New Construction schemes assess energy use and energy-saving features in lifts and other transportation systems. The precise criteria and available credits depend on the scheme version being used, so the project team should confirm the applicable requirements with its BREEAM assessor.
For example, the UK New Construction 2018 Ene 06 criteria include two main areas.
1. Assessing lift demand and energy consumption
The project team must evaluate expected transport demand and usage patterns to determine an appropriate number and size of lifts. The criteria also call for energy-consumption calculations, using the relevant parts of BS EN ISO 25745, to compare suitable transportation options or control strategies.
This helps designers select a system that meets the building’s practical needs without using more energy than necessary. Regenerative drives must also be considered in line with the scheme’s requirements.
2. Specifying energy-efficient lift features
The criteria also recognise specified energy-saving features, including:
- Standby operation: reducing electricity consumption during periods when the lift is not in use.
- Efficient car and display lighting: meeting the luminous-efficacy requirements specified by the scheme.
- Variable voltage, variable frequency (VVVF) drive control: managing the motor’s operation to support efficient acceleration and deceleration.
- Regenerative drives: where their use is demonstrated to save energy and is required under the applicable criteria.
For scheme-specific clarification, consult the official BREEAM Ene 06 guidance alongside the technical manual for the project.
Which Lift Technologies Can Improve Energy Efficiency?
Several established technologies can reduce a lift system’s electricity consumption. Their actual benefits will depend on the lift’s design, use and operating conditions.
Regenerative drives
Certain lift movements allow a regenerative drive to recover energy that would otherwise be dissipated as heat. That recovered energy can then be fed back into the building’s electrical system, helping to reduce net electricity demand.
Regeneration is not equally beneficial in every building, so expected savings should be assessed rather than assumed.
Standby and sleep modes
Lifts may spend a significant amount of time waiting between journeys. Standby features can reduce energy use by switching off or lowering the power supplied to equipment such as car lighting, displays and ventilation when appropriate.
VVVF drive controllers
A VVVF controller adjusts the voltage and frequency supplied to the lift motor. This allows controlled acceleration and deceleration and can help avoid unnecessary energy consumption compared with less sophisticated drive arrangements.
Efficient lighting and intelligent controls
Energy-efficient LED lighting can reduce the power required to illuminate lift cars and displays. In buildings with multiple lifts, appropriately designed group-control systems can also help manage passenger demand and reduce unnecessary journeys, although their effectiveness depends on building usage.
Does Lift Speed Affect BREEAM Certification?
Lift speed can influence energy consumption, but BREEAM does not simply reward slower lifts. An appropriate specification balances journey times, building occupancy, traffic demand and efficiency.
The more useful question is whether the proposed lift system is suitably sized and controlled for the building, and whether its predicted energy performance has been assessed under the applicable criteria.
How Can Developers and Building Owners Plan for BREEAM Credits?
If a building project is targeting BREEAM certification, lift decisions should be considered early rather than left until the end of the design process.
- Confirm the applicable BREEAM scheme and version. The requirements can differ between new construction and refurbishment projects.
- Assess passenger demand. Determine the appropriate number, type and capacity of lifts.
- Compare energy performance. Review compliant calculations for different systems or control strategies.
- Consider energy-saving features. Evaluate standby modes, efficient lighting, VVVF controllers and regenerative drives where appropriate.
- Keep supporting evidence. Liaise with the lift supplier and BREEAM assessor to establish which calculations, specifications and product documentation will be needed.
Working with an experienced provider during lift installation can help the project team evaluate suitable systems and obtain the technical information required for the assessment.
Can an Individual Lift Be BREEAM-Certified?
No. BREEAM certification applies to buildings, not individual lifts or other building products. A lift can have characteristics that help a project meet BREEAM criteria, but it should not be described as a “BREEAM-certified lift”.
The contribution of any lift needs to be considered in the context of the particular building and assessment scheme.
Conclusion: Choosing Lifts With BREEAM in Mind
Energy-efficient lifts can support a building’s sustainability objectives and contribute to its BREEAM assessment when the relevant criteria are met. The key is to choose a system based on actual transport demand, compare its predicted energy use and specify appropriate energy-saving features.
By considering lift efficiency at the design stage and coordinating with a BREEAM assessor, developers can make better-informed decisions about long-term energy use and the building’s environmental performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do lifts count towards BREEAM credits?
Yes, lifts can contribute to credits under the relevant energy-efficient transportation criteria, such as Ene 06. The exact requirements depend on the BREEAM scheme and version used for the building.
What is Ene 06 in BREEAM?
Ene 06 is an assessment issue covering energy-efficient transportation systems. In relevant schemes, it considers transport demand, predicted energy consumption and specified energy-saving features for systems such as lifts, escalators and moving walkways.
Are regenerative drives required for BREEAM?
They must be considered under the applicable Ene 06 criteria, and their specification depends on the requirements and the results of the energy-saving assessment. They should not be assumed to be mandatory for every lift installation.
Can an existing lift be upgraded to improve energy efficiency?
Potentially. Modernising controls, lighting or drive equipment can reduce energy use, depending on the existing lift. Whether the work contributes to BREEAM credits depends on the assessment scope and scheme criteria.
Are there BREEAM-certified lifts?
No. BREEAM certifies buildings rather than individual lift products. A lift can support a building’s BREEAM assessment by meeting relevant performance and specification requirements.
