What Makes an Elevator Green?

In a typical office building, elevators consume between 3-8% of total energy, but with the right upgrades, they can actually give energy back to the grid. For building owners and managers, this is both an environmental and economic opportunity sitting right in the lobby.

The concept of a “green elevator” extends far beyond energy efficiency. Today’s sustainable elevator systems contribute to a building’s overall environmental performance through smart technology integration, regenerative energy capabilities, and sustainable material selection. These systems don’t just reduce environmental impact; they actively enhance building performance while reducing operational costs.

So what  exactly transforms a traditional elevator into a green powerhouse? Let’s break down the key components that make the difference.

Key Components of a Green Elevator

Energy-Efficient Drives and Motors: The Heart of Green Performance

Think of older elevator systems as gas-guzzling cars from the 1970s. Sure, they’ll get you where you’re going, but they burn tremendous amounts of excess energy in the process. Many standard elevators run older AC models and contactors that operate at full power regardless of actual demand, creating significant energy waste during every trip.

The transformation begins with modern, gearless permanent magnet motors paired with Variable frequency Drives (VFDs). These advanced systems function like cruise control for elevators, continuously adjusting power consumption to match the elevator’s actual needs. During light-load conditions or slow travel, the system reduces power output accordingly. When heavy loads or rapid acceleration are required, power increases proportionally.

This intelligent power management delivers real-world energy savings of 30-50% compared to older systems. For a building with multiple elevators operating continuously, these savings translate to thousands of dollars annually while significantly reducing its carbon footprint. 

Recent elevator code updates are pushing building owners toward these more efficient solutions, making sustainability both a compliance opportunity and an environmental opportunity. Curious about new requirements? Read our article on Following Recent Updates in Elevator Code.

Regenerative Drives: Turning Gravity Into Gold

What if your elevator could power your building’s lights while lowering passengers to the ground floor? That’s exactly what regenerative drive technology accomplishes. This approach captures energy that would otherwise be wasted and converts it into usable electricity.

When elevators descend with heavy loads or ascend with light loads, the motor naturally generates energy through the pull of gravity and counterweight systems. In older installations, this energy is dissipated as heat through resistive systems, essentially throwing away free electricity. Modern regenerative drives capture this energy and feed it directly back into the building’s electrical grid, where it can power lighting, HVAC systems, or other building operations.

LED Lighting and Smart Controls: Flip the Switch On Waste

Swapping out a few lightbulbs may seem minor, but in elevator applications, this simple change delivers outsized environmental benefits. Traditional incandescent and fluorescent lighting in elevator cabs consumes significant energy while generating unnecessary heat that increases cooling loads throughout the building.

LED lighting systems, however, consume up to 80% less energy than traditional alternatives while lasting 25 times longer. They also produce minimal heat output and provide instant-on capability, eliminating the warm-up energy waste common with fluorescent systems.

Advanced lighting controls take efficiency even further. Automatic dimming systems reduce lighting intensity during low-usage periods, while occupancy sensors ensure lights operate only when passengers are present. These smart controls can reduce elevator lighting energy consumption by an additional 40-60% beyond the savings achieved through LED lighting conversion alone.

Sustainable and Recycled Materials: Green From the Ground Up

A truly green elevator considers environmental impact from the cab floor to the ceiling panels. Modern sustainable materials provide attractive, durable alternatives to traditional materials while significantly reducing environmental footprint.

Interior renovations increasingly feature bamboo flooring and wall panels, capitalized on bamboo’s status as a rapidly renewable resource that regenerates without replanting. Recycled plastic composites offer excellent durability for trim and fixtures while diverting waste from landfills. Sustainably sourced wood and reclaimed metal finishes provide aesthetic appeal while supporting responsible forestry and manufacturing practices.

Beyond material selection, green elevators prioritize indoor air quality through careful attention to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Traditional paints, adhesives, and sealants can release harmful chemicals into enclosed elevator spaces for months after installation. Low-VOC alternatives maintain installation performance while protecting passenger health and indoor air quality throughout the building.

For modernization projects, these choices become essential. Check out our blog, Elevator Modernization: 5 Key Elevator Components, for approaches to integrating sustainability into renovations.

Elimination of Hydraulic Fluid: Clean Operation

Every gallon of hydraulic fluid represents both an environmental risk and a missed opportunity for cleaner operations. Older hydraulic elevator systems pose ongoing environmental hazards through potential oil leaks that can contaminate groundwater supplies. Used hydraulic fluid presents disposal challenges and requires regular replacement throughout the system’s life.

Beyond environmental concerns, hydraulic systems operate with significant energy inefficiency. Hydraulic pumps consume substantial amounts of electricity 24/7 to maintain system pressure, even during standby periods. 

Modern traction elevators eliminate these risks while delivering superior energy efficiency. Electric traction motors operate only when needed and consume no standby energy. These systems require minimal maintenance fluids and generate no risk of environmental contamination. For building with aging hydraulic systems, the conversion to modern traction technology represents both environmental responsibility and operational efficiency.

Predictive Maintenance and Extended Lifespan: The Ultimate Green Strategy

The greenest elevator is the one that doesn’t need constant replacements. Predictive maintenance is making that possibility a reality through sensor technology and data analytics.

Traditional maintenance approaches address issues only after a component fails. This reactive strategy creates unnecessary parts waste, emergency service calls, and periods of reduced energy efficiency as components degrade before replacement. Each premature failure requires manufacturing new components, transportation, and disposal of failed parts.

Modern predictive maintenance systems use sensors throughout elevator installations to monitor component performance in real-time. Advanced analytics identify developing issues weeks or months before failures occur, enabling planned maintenance that optimizes component lifespan. Well-maintained systems operate at peak efficiency throughout their entire service life, avoiding the energy waste associated with degrading performance.

Partnering with suppliers who provide access to the latest diagnostic tools and predictive maintenance technologies ensures that building owners can capture these environmental and economic benefits. For more on finding the right partner for the job, read Why ADAMS is Your Advantage.

The ADAMS Solution

ADAMS provides comprehensive modernization parts and components specifically designed to transform existing elevator systems into green performers. Our safety upgrades ensure compliance with current codes while incorporating the latest energy-efficient technologies. Retrofit solutions enable building owners to adopt advanced features like regenerative drives and smart controls without complete system replacement.

Ready to transform your elevator from an energy consumer into a sustainability asset? Whether focusing on energy efficiency, environmental materials, or predictive maintenance capabilities, ADAMS provides the components and knowledge needed to achieve green elevator performance. Discover how we can help you develop a sustainability-focused modernization plan that meets your building’s unique needs and budget. Contact our team today to explore the green elevator solutions that will drive both environmental impact and long-term cost savings for your building.

Ready to talk? Reach out to one of our team members today!