Environmentally friendly energy saving devices have been installed in The Podium Shopping Centre in Bath – in the car park and inside and outside the mall.

“Looking after the environment generally and particularly in a traffic congested city like Bath is one of our main concerns and any measures we can take will help,” said The Podium centre manager John Grinnell in announcing major installations at the Northgate Street premises.

The Podium has installed carbon monoxide sensors in its car park to save energy and improve efficiency and save costs.

Two sensors have been installed by Bristol-based firm Optima Controls on each of the three levels in the car park and Mr Grinnell anticipates up to a 60 percent energy saving. The system will be tested twice a month.

Only when the sensors detect carbon monoxide at a certain level will fans and extractors be activated instead of operating on the current time system, which in the past has resulted in the extractors and fans sometimes operating unnecessarily.

Daylight sensors have also been installed outside the shopping centre and at certain points inside to save energy and increase efficiency.

Mr Grinnell said the centre is also looking into the feasibility of installing an improved energy saving lighting system in the car park.