Energy Efficiency Policy -- Does it work?

Sometimes ago, president SBY has announced a new regulation that force government offices to reduce energy consumption to certain point. This has to do with energy efficiency campaign that is becoming a trend right now (as you might already know, PLN the public electricity company is facing generation deficit so that they have to do scheduled power down in Indonesia especially Java).

How does the government offices react to that regulation? My observation only conclude one thing: those offices react funnily. My office is in the Directorate for Electricity and Energy Utilization, to be exact side by side with Energy Conservation Sub Directorate. It is dark in the corridor. The lift is operated only for the even floors. Air con is on at 09.00 and off at 15.00. But split AC are everywhere. Windows are not properly shut or sealed. Building is covered with aluminum cover (looks nice). Main doors are kept open. Low efficiency fluorescent lamps are operated. Lift is still using incandescent lamps. TV's are on all the time. Computer still use CRT screen.

As far as I understand, energy efficiency should not reduce the comfort or quality of life. Making the corridor darker is reducing comfort. It is also not nice. Lift should be able to operate for odd and even floors. For the lift operation, basically I can cope with that. Makes you healtier. Air con can start operate at later hours e.g. 10.00 and shut down at later hours e.g. 16.00. Spilt air con should be managed so that not every room has split air con. Rule and regulation has to be enforced.

Windows should be propely shut or sealed. The windows in this office are using aluminum frame with rubber seal. In many cases I still can see that the rubber seal does not sealing at all. Thermal load can still get in from that leaks. Putting aluminum cover on the outer wall of the building in my opinion is just increasing thermal load. Aluminum is metal and metal absorb heat better. The heat is then transferred to the wall and makes the wall warmer. Warm wall means more thermal load to the AC system. Lamps also should be all changed. Low efficiency fluorescent lamps and incandescent should be changed to CFL or other better performing lamps.

Government offices use passive action to reduce energy consumption. They should have been do it differently. If one has to do make changes that assess what to be changed and calculate the saving possibilities. I do not believe they make economic analysis when they decided to put aluminum wall cover. Although DGEEU has many smart engineers but I do not think they use their talent and skill or their voices are not heard by their superiors. Who knows.

Anyway. Energy efficiency is becoming a need now. Start it from your self. If not it will not work.