Environment - Energy Efficient Court Building

Wayne Hunn, Building Manager of the Wellington District Court Building

An energy efficiency drive at the Wellington District Court building has delivered an energy saving of 27% between 2001 and 2003 - ranking the building among the country's most energy efficient air-conditioned premises.

Efficiency efforts were recognised in 2001 when the Department for Courts was named public sector winner in the EnergyWise Awards.

The 13-year-old Wellington District Court building underwent a programme of small, incremental enhancements funded through existing maintenance budgets, achieving outstanding results.

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) says the effort is part of a wider focus on energy efficiencies throughout the Government sector in Wellington. The District Court programme evolved through collaborative work by Anax and Advanced Building Services (ABS).

Improvements

Early on ABS modified the building's two rooftop chillers, designed originally to run in tandem, so they could operate separately. This allowed much better control of energy use.

The District Court Building Manager went through the building with a fine-tooth comb to maximise energy savings. Removing every second fluorescent tube in over-lit corridor areas produced savings of about $15 a year for every one removed and halved tube replacement costs.

A gradual tube replacement programme, introducing "virtual daylight," means only two newer white light tubes are needed in areas previously lit by three yellow light tubes. The result is savings of one-third in electricity consumption and a greatly enhanced environment for users.

Regular cleaning of diffusers and reflectors throughout the building also improves the effectiveness of lighting.

Importantly, the comfort levels for users of the building have improved significantly. "It has virtually stopped the complaints by staff about it being too hot or too cold. It means a lot in terms of staff morale," says Wellington Area Courts Manager Peter Batchelor.

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