WP6-Brochure-E4 brochure - ELA European Lift Association.

This indicates that expertise is limited, due to the complexity of the products, the low degree
of comparability between installations and due to missing data and standards for measuring
energy consumption, as well as rapid technological advances in some areas. However, no clear
advice could be derived regarding measures to overcome the problem of missing data. On the
one hand, doubts were repeatedly expressed about the possibility of giving standardised
advice on how to achieve energy efficiency and economic efficiency for an individual
installation. On the other hand, it is claimed that exactly this kind of information is needed.
Additionally, some interview partners emphasised the importance of drawing more attention
to balancing financial investments and possible savings.
Regarding retrofits, doubts were expressed whether it makes sense to modernise an
installation only to enhance energy efficiency. In general, some experts pointed to the long
life‐cycles of installations which offer a long time range for investments to become efficient.
Moreover, economic efficiency was perceived to be more easily realised for large‐scale
installations than for small‐scale ones.
We further asked experts to elaborate on the decisive aspects for customers when choosing an
installation. Price was pointed out by the majority as the central aspect. The amount of
investment is especially influential for the buying decision if the customer is not the final
owner and/or user of the installation, i.e. if a building is erected by a general contractor. Lifecycle
costs – and therefore costs for energy consumption – were hardly mentioned as a
decisive criterion.
Further aspects seen as influential in the choice of a model were maintenance, services offered
by the manufacturing company and – to a lesser degree – running speed, comfort, interior and
aesthetics as well as running smoothness. Moreover, the interview partners acknowledged
that the intended usage, e.g. capacity, aspects related to accessibility, also influences the
choice of equipment. However, several experts complained that the requirements of
equipment are often not thoroughly analysed, thus leading to misspecifications. From an
architectural point of view, the amount of space needed for the lift shaft was also seen as an
important aspect. Surprisingly, safety was only mentioned twice; however, we assume that
this is due to high safety standards already implemented.
We also asked if existing legislation, regulations or norms impede energy efficiency, thereby
creating a barrier. However, most respondents confirmed that this is not the case. On the
contrary, experts pointed out that lifts and escalators suffer from a lack of regulation, e.g. as
they are not included in the EPBD and their national implementations. Legal uncertainty was
repeatedly discussed in connection with regeneration – an issue that will be further discussed
below.
Regarding differences between lifts and escalators, the statements of the experts confirm our
analysis. As lifts are more complex, they yield more potential for improvement in terms of
energy efficiency. Moreover, escalator models from different manufacturers are
technologically similar, i.e. competition in the market is mainly about prices.
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