5 Distinctions Between Elevators vs. Escalators

Determining whether an elevator or an escalator is best for your building can be a difficult decision. While both are highly effective methods of vertical transportation, each option has specific strengths and weaknesses. If you’re in the market for vertical transportation, here five distinctions between elevators vs. escalators to help you decide between the two.

1. Elevators Have More Practical Uses

While the main function of an elevator is to transport people, it can also be used to carry objects, such as luggage or furniture. Escalators, on the other hand, aren’t conducive to moving objects between floors, and therefore can be less practical depending on the needs of your building.

2. Escalators Hold More Passengers

One benefit of escalators is that they can transport upwards of 20 people at time. Moreover, escalators are continuously running, so they can rapidly cycle passengers on and off. Elevators, however, can only hold a limited number of passengers and wait times are often an issue.

3. Elevators Accommodate Several Floors

When deciding between an elevator or an escalator, it’s important to consider the number of floors in your building. Escalators often aren’t practical for tall buildings because they can only transport passengers up a single level. Whereas elevators can accommodate any number of floors in a building.

4. Elevators Require a Machine Room

Something to consider when investing in an elevator is that they require a machine room. This is an entire room in your building dedicated to the elevator, which often consumes a sizeable chunk of space. Escalators, conversely, can operate without the use of a separate room.

5. Elevators Consume Less Energy

As it concerns utility costs, elevators consume far less energy than escalators. This is because escalators are constantly running, whereas elevators only use electricity when operating and therefore save substantial amounts of energy between trips.

Elevators Vs. Escalators: Which is Best for You?

Ultimately, whether to invest in an elevator vs. an escalator depends on a variety of factors, such as the size and layout of a building. However, the distinctions listed above are an excellent guide to determine which is the best option for you. If you’re still struggling to decide between one or the other, don’t hesitate to contact us for expert advice!