When it came to selecting a heating method for the four new prisons that was costefficient and met legal requirements, underfloor heating was the hands-down winner, says Energy Manager Cees Ebskamp.
Cees explained the choice when he appeared on national television in late June amid accusations that prisoners were living in the lap of luxury because of the method of heating used.
“The Building Code requires that we maintain a minimum temperature in cells of 16 degrees Celsius, and that’s what we do,” he says.
“After an in-depth analysis, the under floor heating system was found to be the most cost-effective, energy-efficient and durable heating solution for such large buildings of concrete slab construction.”
Under-floor heating was the obvious choice for its low maintenance, the fact it will still be functioning in 50 to 100 years and because it is tamper-proof.
“This is important in a prison environment because it helps maintain the safety and security of the institution and staff, and reduces maintenance and repair costs,” Cees says.
“This choice was not made lightly; but the decision was made this way because it saved money while complying with the New Zealand Building Code.”
The heating is turned on only when the temperature falls below 16 degrees Celsius - the temperature set in the building code.
The new Corrections facilities feature several other energy-saving initiatives. Sensors have been installed to automatically switch off lights when a room is vacant or when there is sufficient daylight.
The buildings have been designed to allow a large amount of natural light to enter and this minimises the need for artificial lighting.
Natural light reduces prisoner tension and so assists in their management. Water efficient taps and showers have also been installed to reduce hot water and energy use. Cees says it was initiatives such as these that won Corrections the Public Sector category in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) Energy Wise Awards in March 2006.
“The Department made a conscious decision to invest in energy efficiency and since our five-year Energy Management Strategy was approved in 2002, we have achieved a reduction in energy use of 8.6 percent per prisoner and saved nearly $1 million,” he says.
“In today’s climate, where energy prices are expected to rise rapidly and national energy savings measures are being talked about, it is important that we do all we can to be economical with our energy usage.”
Last year, Corrections also received the prestigious Leadership in Operational Sustainability award as part of the Ministry for the Environment’s new Govt3 programme, for its efforts to promote sustainability in government agencies.
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ISSN 1178-8453