Investments in energy-efficient equipment —and the demand for it on jobsites worldwide —will continue to grow as customers focus on programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) 2022 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction found that despite a substantial increase in investment and success at a global level in lowering the energy intensity of buildings, the sector’s total energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions increased in 2021 above pre-pandemic levels.
Released at the latest round of climate talks in Egypt, the report found that the sector accounted for over 34 percent of energy demand and around 37 percent of energy and process-related CO2 emissions in 2021. The sector’s operational energy-related CO2 emissions reached 10 gigatons of CO2 equivalent — five percent over 2020 levels and two percent over the pre-pandemic peak in 2019. In 2021, operational energy demand for heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment in buildings increased by around four percent from 2020 and three percent from 2019.
This, according to the report from the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), means that the gap between the climate performance of the sector and the 2050 decarbonization pathway is widening.
However, that doesn’t mean the construction industry, OEMs, or equipment rental companies are throwing in the towel, especially since investments in building energy efficiency have gone up by unprecedented levels, rising by 16 percent in 2021 over 2020 levels to $237 billion.
Instead, companies are now demonstrating an even greater commitment to reducing their environmental impact. They’re recycling, using energy-efficient LED lights, and searching for new ways to reuse materials and less harmful chemicals whenever they can.
In the equipment rental industry, they’re doing the same but also offering fleet —from lighting and electric tools to trucks and forklifts and more —that is geared to support reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Demonstrating this commitment to minimize environmental impacts, Herc Rentals continues to add Ecoclean options to its fleet and highlights these options for customers in its solutions guides and on its website.
When customers consider the best equipment options for their needs, using alternative power sources is a great way to minimize the job’s environmental impacts and reduce expenses.
- Solar: This is the optimal choice for customers who want to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Equipment running on solar power provides 100 percent operating savings compared to other power sources.
- EV or Battery: Depending on the charging source, customers can save anywhere from 50-75 percent of carbon emissions compared to fuel combustion. Additionally, there are zero emissions during operation.
- Propane: Considered to be cleaner than biodiesel, propane emits 10-50 percent less GHG emissions, 100 percent less particulate matter than diesel, 30-80 percent less carbon monoxide, and 20 percent less nitrogen oxide than gasoline. Propane is also considered harmless to soil and groundwater and is safer to transport than other fuels because it is not considered an air pollutant.
- Biofuel: Depending on the blend and source, biofuel can achieve 40-86% emissions savings compared with petroleum diesel. Biofuel also emits 11 percent less carbon monoxide and 10 percent less particulate matter than diesel.
- Hybrid: Customers using dual power sources, such as battery and diesel, can reduce emissions up to 40 percent by having their equipment work longer than conventional fuel models.
- Diesel: Customers can cut about 13 percent on carbon dioxide emissions when compared to gasoline-powered engines. Additionally, while Tier 4 engines reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxides to near zero levels, non-Tier 4 engines emit more particulate matter and nitrogen oxides than hybrid engines.
- Gasoline: While gasoline per gallon carbon emissions are less than diesel, gasoline-powered engines consume more fuel on an equivalent basis than their diesel counterparts.
Some of the Ecoclean offerings in Herc Rentals’ equipment fleet include:
- Articulating, atrium, and hybrid boom lifts
- Portable and electric air compressors
- Containment carts
- Electric and industrial electric heaters
- Desiccant dehumidifiers
- Air scrubbers
- Electric and battery breakers
- Handheld cutoff saws and tile and masonry saws
- Concrete buggies, mixers, and vibrators
- Scrapers, grinders, shot blasters, scarifiers, and planers
- Dust control vacuums
- Burnishers
- Floor sweepers, floor scrubbers, sweeper/scrubbers
- Walk-behind loaders
- Demolition robots
- Dust suppression fog cannons
- Electric welders
- Fume extractors
- Cold and hot water pressure washers
- Small portable lights, hazardous location lights, engine-driven LED towers, electric LED link towers, solar LED towers
- Walkie stackers, stand-up rider forklifts, electrical industrial forklifts
- Glass handlers, crane crawlers, pick and carry cranes
- Electric sewage and dewatering submersible pumps, electric pumps
- Load banks
- Safe and sound kits
- Surveillance gear
- Noise reduction panels
- Electronic message, arrow, and speed radar boards
For more information about Herc Rentals Ecoclean fleet and other products, click HERE.
