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What an older lift actually costs to run is not a question most building managers can answer precisely — because the energy consumption is buried in the building’s wider electricity bill and nobody has ever separated it out. At Future Lift Services, when we carry out a modernisation assessment, one of the first things we do is estimate the current running cost of an older traction lift based on motor rating, daily run cycles and duty hours. The numbers are often a surprise: a 1990s traction lift running a 22kW DC motor in a busy commercial building can cost £2,500–£4,000 per year in electricity alone, compared with £600–£900 for an equivalent modern gearless system with regenerative drive.
For many commercial and industrial buildings, commercial-type lifts are vital to the infrastructure. They provide an essential service for employees, customers, and visitors, and they are often in constant use. As a result, elevators can often be one of a building’s biggest energy users, particularly if they are outdated or not operating efficiently.
In this guide, we’ll examine what can impact the energy efficiency of your lift system, how energy-efficient lifts can reduce energy consumption and operating costs and some of the different ways you can achieve this in your building.
Can Energy Efficient Lifts Reduce Operating Costs?
By investing in energy-efficient lift technology or lift modernisation, businesses can reduce both their operating costs and carbon footprint.
Energy-efficient lifts are designed to require less power and operate more smoothly, which helps decrease overall energy use. They incorporate technologies such as regenerative braking, which captures and reuses energy that would otherwise be lost during each start and stop cycle, as well as efficient motor designs that demand less electricity. These features not only lower the building’s energy requirements but also contribute to sustainability goals by reducing the environmental impact.
What Impacts the Energy Efficiency of Lifts?
There are a number of factors that can influence the energy efficiency of your lift system. These include: the size of the lift (larger lifts tend to use more energy), the type of lift (hydraulic lifts are generally more energy-intensive than traction or gearless lifts), the number of stops, the type of traffic, and the age of your lift (older lifts tend to be less energy-efficient).
The energy consumption and operating costs can vary considerably depending on the specific factors that apply to your lift system. However, there are some ways you can reduce these costs, no matter what type of lift you have, which we’ll look at later in the guide.
How Can Energy Saving Lifts Reduce Operating Costs?
Reports state that elevators account for between 2% and 5% of a building’s energy consumption, so it’s easy to see how reducing this could have a positive impact on overall building expenses.
Energy-efficient lifts can help reduce energy consumption and operating costs in several ways. By investing in an energy-efficient system and ensuring you maintain it properly, you can save energy and money in the long run. In fact, according to the ACEEE report mentioned above, some lift technologies have been found to reduce energy consumption by as much as 75%.
What ‘up to 75% reduction’ actually looks like in practice varies considerably. In our experience, a straightforward modernisation of an older DC traction lift to a modern VVVF-controlled gearless drive typically achieves 40–55% energy savings. Regenerative drives add a further 10–20% where traffic patterns allow (heavily directional morning/evening commuter flows benefit most). LED lighting retrofits add a further 60–70% reduction in cabin lighting energy. Combined, a comprehensive modernisation programme on an early 1990s traction lift can realistically achieve 50–65% total energy reduction.
Some of the ways energy efficient lifts can help to reduce your energy consumption include:
Regenerative energy drives recapture the energy that is normally wasted when a lift starts and stops, and uses it to provide power back to the system.
Reduced motor energy use — the use of more energy-efficient motors requires less electricity and generates less heat, which can improve the overall efficiency of your lift system.
Reduced lighting energy use — LEDs use much less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can help reduce your energy consumption.
Reducing idling time — if your lifts are left running when they are not in use, this can significantly impact your energy performance. By reducing the idling time of your lifts, you can make a big difference to your overall energy usage.
Investing in energy-efficient elevators is a great way to boost energy savings and minimise your overall operating costs. However, it is also important to remember some other key factors when maintaining the energy-efficiency of your lifts to save as much energy as possible.
How To Make Your Lift System More Energy Efficient
Regardless of the type of lift you have, there are a number of ways to make your lift system more energy efficient, which can help to reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
1. Upgrade to a more energy-efficient lift
Though there are ways to minimise your energy usage with any elevator, the simplest way to do this is to install a brand new lift system. If your lift is outdated or not operating efficiently, upgrading to a newer, more energy-efficient model can make a big difference.
Look for features such as regenerative drives, which can help recapture energy and reduce the lift’s overall power consumption. You might also want to consider gearless traction lifts, which use a permanent magnet motor that requires less electricity than other types of motors.
Additionally, consider your building’s specific needs and choose a lift sized appropriately. A smaller lift that doesn’t have to work as hard will be more energy-efficient than a larger one that is constantly under strain.
2. Improve the insulation of your lift shaft
If your lift shaft is not well insulated, this can impact the energy efficiency of your lift system. Heat loss through the shaft walls can cause the lift to use more energy as it has to work harder to maintain the correct temperature. To improve the insulation of your lift shaft, you can add things like draft excluders around the doors and install thicker walls or insulated cladding.
3. Regular lift maintenance
Ensuring that your lift is regularly serviced and well-maintained can help to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. This can also help to identify any potential issues early on, before they have a chance to cause bigger problems or impact the energy-efficiency of your lift.
4. Invest in Lift Modernisation Services
If you have an older lift system that is no longer operating as efficiently as it once did, investing in lift modernisation services can be a great way to improve its performance. This can involve anything from replacing old parts and components with more energy-efficient ones, to installing new technologies such as regenerative drives.
Lift modernisation can be a big investment, but it can also significantly impact the energy efficiency of your lift system. If you are considering this option, work with a reputable and experienced lift modernisation company to ensure that the work is carried out properly and your lift is brought up to current standards.
To put these options in perspective, here is a typical investment and payback guide based on our assessments of commercial traction lifts in Essex and London:
| Upgrade | Typical Investment | Energy Saving | Est. Payback |
| LED cabin lighting retrofit | £400–£800 | 60–70% lighting energy | < 2 years |
| Standby/sleep mode for idle lifts | £200–£600 (software) | 10–20% total energy | < 1 year |
| VVVF drive replacement (AC motor upgrade) | £8,000–£18,000 | 30–45% total energy | 4–8 years |
| Full modernisation incl. regenerative drive | £20,000–£45,000 | 50–65% total energy | 6–12 years |
Looking For Expert Lift Modernisation, Installation or Maintenance Services?
If you are looking for expert lift modernisation, installation or maintenance services, the team at Future Lift Services can help. Our expert lift engineers have years of experience in the industry, and we offer a comprehensive range of lift services to meet your specific needs.
From lift modernisation and installation to servicing and maintenance, we can help you keep your lifts running smoothly and efficiently and save as much money as possible on your energy costs.
To find out more about our services or to get a free, no-obligation quote, contact us today. and maintenance, we can help you keep your lifts running smoothly and efficiently and save as much money as possible on your energy costs.
To find out more about our services or to get a free, no-obligation quote, contact us today.