How much energy does elevators uses and how to reduce it: A simple guide for building owners and facility teams
Recent industry studies show that elevators typically use 2% to 10% of a building’s total energy, and in some busy commercial or high‑rise environments, usage spikes can reach much higher during peak periods. That includes movement, lighting, ventilation, displays and standby time, which can be surprisingly significant.
Elevators run quietly in the background of every building, yet they play a much larger role in daily energy use than most people realise. While attention often goes to lighting, heating and cooling, elevators operate from morning to night, and their energy consumption grows steadily over the building’s lifetime.
Understanding where this energy goes, what influences it and how modern systems reduce waste can help owners, facility teams, architects and refurbishment planners make simple, confident decisions that improve comfort and performance without needing deep technical knowledge.
This guide breaks everything down clearly and simply.
How much energy elevators use on average
Elevator energy use depends on how often the system runs, how modern it is, and the kind of building it serves. In busy periods, especially in high‑rise buildings, energy use can climb and sometimes reach around 10% of the building’s overall consumption.
Most of that power goes straight into the motor, usually around 60% to 70%. The rest comes from lighting, displays, and control systems.
Older lifts tend to draw more power than people expect, even when they’re not moving. In some residential buildings, standby energy alone can make up a large share of the total use.
All of this shows that an elevator is more than a simple ride between floors. It’s a constant part of a building’s energy footprint, and modern upgrades can make a noticeable difference.
Where elevator energy is used
Even though elevators may seem simple from the outside, there are several components working at the same time. Each part plays a role in energy consumption. 
Movement
This is the biggest energy user. Lifting and lowering passengers accounts for most of the total consumption, often 60% to 70% depending on the system.Door operation
Doors open and close hundreds of times daily, requiring small bursts of energy with each cycle.Cabin lighting and displays
Lights, floor indicators and controls contribute around 15% to 20% of elevator energy use.Cabin ventilation
Some elevators have ventilation fans that run continuously, adding around 10% to 15% to the total.Standby mode
Even when not in use, older elevators draw between 60 and 490 watts, sometimes representing the majority of the energy used by the system.All of these elements add up over time, especially in busy buildings.
How modern elevators reduce energy use
The good news is that new elevator technologies can dramatically improve efficiency. Here are the biggest contributors to energy savings. 
Regenerative drives
Traditional elevator systems waste energy as heat during braking or descent. Modern regenerative drives capture that energy instead and feed it back into the building’s electrical system.
Industry research shows regenerative technology can reduce elevator energy use by 30% to 75% depending on the building and system.
A high‑rise office case study reported a 36% reduction after adding regenerative technology and improving traffic management systems.
A simple way to imagine it:
It’s like a car that recharges itself every time it slows down or travels downhill.
This makes regenerative systems especially valuable in residential high‑rises, commercial towers and mixed‑use buildings.
Smarter group control systems
Modern control systems help elevators move more intelligently by grouping passengers and reducing unnecessary trips. This:
- Improves passenger flow
- Reduces movement during peak times
- Lowers overall energy consumption
- Extends equipment life
Traffic simulation research confirms that optimised control systems make a measurable difference in high‑rise efficiency.
Improved standby modes
Modern elevators can automatically dim lights, pause ventilation and reduce idle power consumption during quiet periods, one of the simplest ways to reduce wasted energy.
How does elevator energy impact different building types
Different buildings experience elevator energy in different ways. Here’s how it typically plays out.
Residential buildings
Steady, predictable movement means standby reduction and efficient drives make the largest impact.
Commercial buildings
Heavy morning, lunch and evening peaks can cause energy spikes, sometimes reaching 40% of total building energy during busy moments.
High‑rise projects
Long travel distances and high passenger rates make regenerative drives especially powerful here.
Refurbishment projects
Older elevators are often far less efficient. Replacing drives, improving standby settings and updating control systems can deliver meaningful savings without replacing the entire system.
What building owners and facility teams can do today
The most effective improvements don’t always require replacing the whole elevator system. Some upgrades are small, fast and cost‑efficient.
- Modernise the drive system to a more efficient model.
- Use smarter standby features that reduce energy use automatically.
- Optimise group control settings so the elevator makes fewer unnecessary trips.
- Plan maintenance carefully to keep performance consistent.
Involve elevator specialists early during new builds or refurbishment projects.
These steps help improve comfort, reduce energy waste and support sustainability goals.
Why elevator energy matters more now
Energy performance is becoming a critical part of building design and management. Green building standards, rising energy costs and sustainability expectations mean every part of a building contributes to its overall impact. 
Elevator energy efficiency helps:
- Lower ongoing operating costs
- Improve tenant and visitor experience
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Strengthen building certifications
- Enhance long‑term asset value
As buildings become smarter and more sustainable, elevator systems play an increasingly important role in meeting those goals.
How Nidec Elevator supports better energy performance
At Nidec Elevator, we help building owners, architects, developers and facility teams understand elevator energy in simple, practical terms. Our approach focuses on solutions that improve comfort and efficiency without overwhelming you with technical details.
We design, support and modernise systems that move people smoothly and sustainably, creating better performance for every type of building.
Want to understand how your elevators fit into your building’s energy strategy?
Speak with our team for a clear, easy conversation about practical improvements you can make today.
or call us on 330.833.3600 | 916.463.9200 | 330.734.3600