The “Green” elevator installation/modernization/replacement

I get phone calls on regular basis from builders/future owners of buildings asking why our new elevators are more expensive then one of the intergalactic OEM’s.  One of the main reasons I give is that we are supplying you with a 30-40 year elevator and the OEMs are not, they are giving you a 15-20 year elevator.  This article published by Elevator World has some great information on the sales pitch of a “green” elevator.  I believe the intent of this article was to promote hydraulic elevators, what I took out of this is the longevity and environmental impact of all elevator systems dependent on how robust the elevators are built.

The issue with the “green” elevator is that it lasts 15-20 years and while it does have an energy savings during its life time in service to the building, it does not over the full manufacturing to disposal period.  The data attached is indicating that by far the environmental impact that is felt is during manufacturing and disposal.  There is 10x more environmental impact during manufacturing then during the usage of the lifetime of the elevator.   

 Source - Graph is from Elevator World Article, see below for link.

Lets do quick math – assume that a Minnesota Elevator, Canton or Hollister Whitney’s elevator may last 30-40 years and the Intergalactic OEM will be a 15-20 year.  These are general assumptions for this analysis.

MEI/Canton/HWEC – perhaps the manufacturing impact would be more based on the equipment being heavier duty - this is a quick example of how the numbers would work.  This includes 1 manufacturing impact and 2 operational impacts because we are going with a 15-20 year assumed life, this equipment may get 2 “life times” out of it.  You would also assume that the operational impact would be more because the equipment is typically heavier duty and more robust.  

  

			Hydro	Traction
Manufacturing[x1]			549	701
Operation[x2]			45	66
Disposal[x1]			286	343
Overall environmental impact			880	1110

Intergalactic OEM – This includes 2 manufacturing impacts because life of these elevators are assumed to be 15-20 years.  This also includes 2 disposal impacts because 2 sets of equipment will need to be disposed of during 30-40 years.

			Hydro	Traction
Manufacturing[x2]			1098	1402
Operation[x2]			45	66
Disposal[x2]			572	686
Overall environmental impact			1715	2154

Full disclosure I do not believe that these numbers are perfect for my analysis but you can see that when the life cycle of a less robust installation is chosen, the benefits of a “green” elevator is so small compared to the impact that comes with manufacturing and disposal.  Again, this information is not perfect because any elevator may need a new controller, motor, etc during its life based on usage, environment and installation.  We also do not know the exact life of the new OEM elevators at this point because they are new and have not been around for 15-20 years yet.

Take away – When making decisions on the elevator system you are going to install, and if you are really concerned with environmental impact, take a look at the longevity of the elevator’s life.  Are you buying a 15-20 year elevator or a 30-40 year elevator.  Just something that opened my eyes a bit.  Read the Elevator World article for more information.

Reference - Elevator World - https://www.elevatorworld.com/2017/10/12/widening-the-perspective-from-energy-to-resources/

As always feel free to contact us at www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.