Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, has recently announced that the energy price cap will be increased by 5% starting from the start of this year. Many appliances still use energy when on standby mode or being left on accidentally. This phantom energy can contribute to around 30% of the average energy bill.
Paxton provides access control systems that have smart features to help reduce building energy consumption. This not only has a positive impact on the environment but also helps businesses save money.
Paxton’s Net2 is a PC-based access control system that is ideal for granting or restricting access to a building. The system comes with functionality that provide a simple way to save energy.
Use Triggers and Actions to Enable Automated Events
Triggers and Actions is a powerful feature offered by Net2. It is a series of rules that enable site activities and can support lower energy consumption when implemented correctly.
Steve Woodbridge, Paxton’s Global Training Manager, explains: “Facility managers can set an event within Net2 software to automatically switch off appliances. By utilising the Triggers and Actions feature, lights or heating can be set to turn off when the last person leaves the building. This avoids appliances being left on after working hours and saves energy.”
Manage Machines with Energy Saving Readers
The Net2 Proximity Energy Saving Reader is another useful energy saving option. It can act like a power switch, to help save energy in a simple and automated way. Used with the Net2 software, building managers can easily tailor access privileges to up to 50,000 users and manage access to energy-intensive appliances.
Steve said: “In some industries, like manufacturing, there are machines that consume a high-level of energy. Site managers can use Net2 to give access only to employees who are trained to use the equipment.
“The energy saving readers are specially designed with a cover to retain a user’s card which turns the power on and off. The product can be installed on high-energy consuming machines, and building managers can use Net2 to set that power will only come on when a valid user card is inserted.”
Steve continues: “When a person leaves a room and takes out the card, the machines will automatically turn off as it’s like switching off the power. This stops unauthorised access and energy wastage, ensuring the machines are always switched off when not in use as default.”