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Energy and greenhouse gas emissions
Gas and electricity are the main components
of energy used in Parliament House.
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Gas is used for heating, domestic hot water and catering equipment.
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Electricity is used mainly for office lighting and power, mechanical
services, lifts, chillers, computer equipment, catering equipment,
water features, the central waste plant and boosted hot water heating.
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Diesel and petrol make up the remainder of energy consumed.
Performance
The main indicators DPS monitors for energy use are
electricity and gas consumption and the associated greenhouse gas emissions.
These indicators are compared to DPS’s portfolio budget targets and performance
for the previous year.
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Comment on performance
Total energy use has increased due to more days when Parliament sits this year compared to last. Purchasing 25% green electicity helped ensure that the greenhouse gas emissions target was met, but energy targets weren't met. Implementation of recommendations from a recent energy audit is how Parliament House plans to get back on target.
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Objectives and targets
DPS has outlined its plans to save energy at Parliament
House and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the DPS Energy Strategic
Plan 2007-2010. Through timely replacement and maintenance of plant and
equipment, the plan also aims to ensure reliability of the energy supply
to Parliament House.
Tips on reducing energy
If you work at Parliament House, then keep in mind
that that there are three major areas which consume energy in your work
area:
Lighting makes up approximately 55% of a suite’s electricity
consumption, office equipment 35% and kitchen appliances 10%. Air‑conditioning
the suite also consumes energy.
Some ways to reduce energy usage are listed below.
Contact your relevant office support services if you need assistance in
implementing any of these initiatives.
Lighting
- Switch on less overhead lighting, and use task lights (eg desk lamps)
if needed. Turn off the lights when they are not needed.
Office equipment
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Shut down computers and turn off printers, photocopiers, TVs and
other office equipment.
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Enable power management options on computers, laser printers, copiers,
faxes and scanners, avoid using screen savers and instead set monitors
to “sleep” after a preset time.
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Unplug devices that use a transformer when not in use (eg battery
chargers for mobile phones, PDAs etc).
Kitchens
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Turn off boiling water units and use kettles instead.
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Don’t use too many kitchen appliances and contact your office support
services if there are appliances you need, rather than bringing these
in yourself.
Air-conditioning
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Don't open windows and doors because it interferes with the air-conditioning
system.
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If you have a user-control thermostat in your office, then lower
the thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer.
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Report on changes to suite occupancy (eg if the suite isn’t occupied
during non-sitting periods, then the air-conditioning can be programmed
accordingly).
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