A recent energy wastage league table compiled by the Coalition for Energy Savings exposed the UK as the 13th most wasteful out of a list of 28 countries. This revelation does not come as a surprise. Energy efficiency, or a lack thereof, is a subject that has garnered ongoing attention in recent years. In a business environment where profit margins and sustainability are of paramount importance, responsibility normally falls to Facilities Managers (FMs) to utilise training, workplace design and technology to reduce energy waste.
However, achieving true energy efficiency is much more complex than replacing a light bulb or switching off a few computers. An effective green policy will encourage lasting behavioural change among staff and involve the implementation of intelligent systems that remove the potential for energy wastage. As guardians of the day-to-day running of commercial buildings and with energy one of the biggest budgets at their disposal, FMs are perfectly placed to streamline and modernise the internal processes in a business relating to energy consumption.
Training and communication
All new employees should be made aware of the importance of energy savings during the induction process. Implementing strict rules regarding the powering down of equipment including computers, printers and machinery can drive surprisingly large savings. In addition, simple guidance regarding the control of heating systems can be hugely beneficial. Lowering the temperature by just one degree can reduce heating bills by up to 10 per cent.
Many employees often feel detached from workplace energy usage. Without personally receiving a monthly bill, it can be difficult to grasp how much energy is being used and the cost to the business. FMs can remedy this by publishing and sharing monthly reports outlining the amount of power consumed and setting targets for reducing this figure; progress can then be fed back to employees.
Workplace design
Ideally FMs should aim to adapt the working environment by incorporating products that reduce the capacity for waste altogether. Examples of this include computer and electronics hardware that automatically switch to energy saving mode after a set period of inactivity and lighting which is powered by motion or occupancy sensors. Similarly, solar sensors placed near windows can detect levels of sunlight in the room and automatically switch off unnecessary fixtures when natural lighting alone is sufficiently bright.
Of course, replacing outdated electronics with newer, more energy efficient alternatives is vital. Obviously, this migration will require some initial financial investment, so businesses may need to stagger the change over a protracted period. However, where possible, refurbishments should be pushed through quickly. For example, although an LED light bulb is initially more expensive to install, it will drive cost savings in the mid to long term due to lower energy consumption and less degradation.
Technology
Modern technology, and more specifically business management software, is an extremely important tool in any FM’s arsenal. For Facilities Managers overseeing large sites, a software programme known as the Business Management Suite (BMS) can be deployed to analyse energy consumption. As well as reporting usage levels as a whole, the programme deconstructs these figures to pinpoint where energy is being expended. The system can be accessed remotely, allowing technicians to monitor and control power usage at any time. The package allows FMs to discover which parts of the building are using the most energy and why.
For smaller sites, automatic meter readers (AMRs) are a lower budget alternative, which allow the fast and frequent gathering of gas and electricity usage figures. Through the gathering of data, by either AMR or BMS, FMs can then investigate why energy consumption may have spiked. While such changes may be accounted for by out of hours production it may be found that a particular machine is guzzling energy and needs to be replaced or repaired.
Next Steps
Efforts to reduce energy waste are continuing to make an impact in the workplace but FMs must do more to drive efficiencies and lower costs. While educating and encouraging employees to change their behaviour will always be a challenge, the biggest steps to reduce consumption lie within the implementation of ‘smart’ design features and software systems.
Access to information regarding the amount of power used and where is vital if strategic decisions are to be made which reduce energy consumption on site. This reduction in waste will in turn provide cost savings to the business and driving such efficiencies is an opportunity for FMs to demonstrate their worth, freeing up budget to help the business grow.
Munaf Bondary is property manager at Office Depot
