A lift that completes thousands of trips each month can quietly add to a building’s electricity costs, particularly where equipment is ageing, poorly adjusted or operating beyond its original design expectations. Well-planned lift energy efficiency upgrades address this without compromising the safety, ride quality or availability that occupants depend on. For property managers and building owners, the strongest projects also improve reliability and make future maintenance more predictable.

Where lift energy use comes from

The traction machine is usually the first component people consider, but energy consumption is influenced by the entire system. A traditional geared machine may draw more power than a modern gearless alternative, particularly during peak periods. Older control systems can also manage acceleration, travel and standby operation less efficiently than current technology.

The car itself has a role to play. Halogen lighting, continuously running ventilation fans and outdated display equipment use electricity even when the lift is standing still. In a hotel, mall or office building with several lifts, these smaller loads can become significant over a full year.

Usage patterns matter as well. A busy public building requires a different solution from a residential development with light traffic, while a freight or industrial lift has its own duty cycle and load requirements. This is why an assessment should begin with the equipment condition, traffic demand, service history and operational priorities, rather than a generic list of replacement parts.

Lift energy efficiency upgrades worth considering

Modernise the controller

The controller is the operating centre of an elevator. Replacing an obsolete controller can improve how the system responds to calls, controls movement and enters standby mode. Modern controllers are generally easier to diagnose and support, which can reduce downtime when faults occur.

This upgrade is particularly valuable where components for an existing controller are difficult to obtain or where recurring electrical faults are affecting service. Energy savings may be part of the case for modernisation, but improved safety monitoring, fault reporting and parts availability are often equally important benefits.

Upgrade the traction machine where justified

A machine-room-less gearless traction system can be considerably more efficient than older geared equipment. It typically requires less lubrication, has fewer wearing components and can provide a smoother ride. For buildings facing major machine repairs, repeated breakdowns or an end-of-life installation, this option may offer a sound long-term return.

It is not automatically the right answer for every site. A full machine replacement is a more substantial project than upgrading lighting or controls, and the building configuration must be suitable. Equipment selection should account for shaft dimensions, car load, travel distance, traffic demand and the availability of practical access for installation.

Add regenerative drive technology

During certain parts of operation, particularly when a loaded car travels down or a lighter car travels up, a lift can generate energy. A regenerative drive can return this energy to the building’s electrical network rather than releasing it as heat.

The benefit depends on usage. High-traffic commercial buildings, hotels and malls may see a stronger case because their lifts make frequent trips throughout the day. For a lightly used residential block, the financial return may be slower. Electrical compatibility and local installation requirements must also be checked before specifying a regenerative system.

Replace car lighting and manage standby loads

LED lighting is a straightforward improvement for many older lift cars. It consumes less power than conventional lamps, produces less heat and usually requires less frequent replacement. When combined with automatic light and fan shut-off during periods of inactivity, it reduces the energy used while the car is idle.

These measures are relatively modest in cost, but they should still be installed correctly. Emergency lighting, ventilation requirements and passenger safety must never be compromised in pursuit of lower consumption. A competent technician will test each function after installation and ensure that the car remains compliant and comfortable for passengers.

Improve traffic control in multi-lift buildings

Where a group of lifts serves the same building, poor dispatching can result in unnecessary trips and longer waiting times. Modern group control systems allocate calls more intelligently, reducing duplicated travel and balancing demand across the available lifts.

The outcome is not only lower energy use. It can also improve passenger movement during office arrivals, hotel check-in periods or busy shopping hours. However, traffic analysis is essential. A system programmed for a corporate office may not suit a residential tower, where travel peaks and passenger behaviour differ.

Start with condition, safety and data

Energy performance should not be treated separately from lift safety and reliability. Before approving an upgrade, arrange a technical survey covering the machine, controller, door equipment, car electrics, safety circuit and travel performance. Maintenance records are especially useful because they reveal repeated faults, component wear and periods of avoidable downtime.

Where practical, record current electricity use and operating patterns. This creates a baseline for assessing whether an upgrade is achieving its intended result. It also helps owners compare options realistically. Replacing lamps may deliver a quick, measurable reduction, whereas a full modernisation offers broader operational gains over a longer asset lifecycle.

A proper survey should identify any urgent safety concerns first. Worn door gear, unreliable levelling, damaged wiring or non-compliant safety devices require corrective work before efficiency improvements can be considered complete. A lift that uses less electricity but fails unexpectedly still creates risk, disruption and dissatisfaction for building users.

Plan upgrades around building operations

Modernisation work needs careful scheduling. In a building with a single lift, even a short shutdown can affect residents, visitors, staff and deliveries. Hotels may need work planned around occupancy levels, while malls and commercial sites may prefer off-peak or overnight activity where conditions permit.

Clear scope planning prevents disruption from becoming more costly than necessary. It should define the equipment being replaced, required electrical work, testing procedures, expected shutdown periods and any finishes that need reinstatement after works are complete. If the lift interior is being refurbished at the same time, coordinating the work can reduce repeated closures.

For sites with multiple lifts, phased work is often the most practical approach. One unit can be modernised while the remaining units continue to operate, subject to traffic requirements and safety planning. The programme should retain adequate capacity for daily operations and emergency access at every stage.

Measure value beyond the electricity bill

The value of an efficiency project is not limited to kilowatt-hours. Modern components can reduce heat in the machine area, improve diagnostic capability and reduce the frequency of certain failures. Better levelling and door operation can also support a more dependable passenger experience.

Owners should weigh capital cost against expected energy savings, maintenance needs, equipment lifespan and the cost of potential downtime. The cheapest option may be sensible for a lift with limited remaining service life, while a premium modernisation can be more appropriate for a flagship property expected to operate for decades.

Ask for a clear explanation of what the proposed upgrade will achieve, what it will not solve and how it will be maintained afterwards. Transparency is essential, particularly when a project involves ageing equipment with several underlying issues.

A well-maintained lift should serve the building quietly, safely and efficiently rather than drawing attention through failures or excessive running costs. Brand Matrix can help property stakeholders assess the practical opportunities within their existing installation, then plan work that protects uptime while improving long-term performance. The best time to investigate is before a critical component fails, when decisions can be made on condition, evidence and the needs of the people who rely on the lift every day.