Vending operator Automatic Retailing, Scotland, has developed an energy-saving product for the vending industry that, it believes, will have great impact on the environment on a daily basis. The company currently has it sited at the Scottish Parliament, NHS Scotland and other sites.
Vend-Sense is an energy saving innovation developed primarily for the vending industry but it also has potential applications for a variety of machines with intermittent power requirements.
The device effectively switches off the vending (or other) machine when no motion is detected within its vicinity, within a pre-set timescale. On average this will eliminate 64 per cent of the electricity that would be used by a machine in any given week, but the actual cost savings would be subject to the prevailing electricity tariff. This figure is based on an average working week of 8am-8pm Monday to Friday.
In order to ensure that there are no disruptions to the service provided, Vend-Sense can be set to switch off the machine after two hours of inactivity. It should be noted, however, that this timescale can be altered to suit the operational requirements of any business. In addition, Vend-Sense can be retro-fitted to any machine*, whether new or old, and is simple to install. It can either be fitted to the machine or wall mounted.
Technical properties
Vend-Sense uses microprocessor technology to reduce operating costs and CO2 emissions. The PIR sensor is installed either on the wall or on the vending machine in minutes. Benefits are said to include; lower maintenance costs due to reduced long periods of inactivity; typical energy saving of 64 per cent on average (based on office hours Mon – Fri 8am-8pm); reduced operating costs and CO2 emissions; machine components last longer; quick return on investment is claimed; a machine is disconnected from the mains after a set period of inactivity; one PIR sensor runs a bank of vending machines; it is compatible for all vending machines regardless of age; and easy installation is within minutes.
*Food vendors are the only exception due to temperature sensitive products being dispensed.
http://www.automaticretail.co.uk/
