Page 45 - CIJ June 2024 - Digital Edition

FACILITY MANAGEMENT

repairs to be completed. Very Other secondary practices that can • Extend asset lifecycle: Using
paramount to note is the boost make stores/offices more efficient PPM software can reduce
in operator safety. All these include; updating lighting fixtures failure rate and the need to scrap
successfully create a great profit with more efficient bulbs, using equipment.
margin for the organization. energy efficient HVAC and other • Use FM data to maintain,
4. Controlling energy efficiency: cooling equipment like refrigerators monitor and optimise energy
A great way to cut FM- etc., adding better glazing to consumption of critical assets
associated costs is to lower windows and doors, and introducing • Plan the movement of engineers
energy consumption and make enhanced wall insulation. While and contractors to reduce carbon
business places more energy this will present an immediate cost, footprint
efficient. Lighting with LED it is an investment that will save
fixtures is a small part of overall money on cooling and energy bills • Integrate Building Management
energy consumption and with in the long run. As well as being and CAFM systems to access
HVAC is the primary energy proactive and investing in energy- and control more energy use
consumer taking up between efficient initiatives like this, it is also data
2/3rds to 3/4ths of total power vital that you consistently monitor 6. Retrofit existing building
consumption. This makes it and track energy usage across your systems: Retrofitting often
compulsory to ensure HVAC stores. That way, facilities managers involves modifications to
is part of the energy efficiency can utilize this data to introduce existing commercial buildings
targeting. informed cost-saving measures in that may improve energy
Office automation is the need for the future. In some locations, energy efficiency and decrease energy
the hour and should be integrated at efficient initiatives like this can demand. Energy-efficiency
the planning stage of the workplace actually entitle businesses to tax retrofits can reduce the
itself, otherwise a retrofit should cuts or other monetary incentives. operational costs, particularly
be done. With automation of lights However, it is worth noting that this in older buildings, as well as
and HVAC there are tremendous is very much location-dependent help to attract tenants and gain a
benefits other than the obvious and FMs would have to do research market edge.
savings on energy, these include a in the local area to find out what (if 7. Utilize an IoT-enabled
longer lifespan for the lights and anything) they are entitled to. monitoring system with
HVAC equipment which translates 5. Control your energy your CMMS: If you are using
to lower annual replacement costs, use: Manual and paper a building system to report
maintenance costs and lower administration costs time and changes after implementing
manpower costs. For example, a the environment. Shifting to energy savings initiatives,
20% reduction in energy usage electronic facilities management then your equipment needs to
directly implies that the lights and can eliminate a whole layer be audited regularly to make
HVAC equipment have run 20% less of form filling and paper sure that the equipment is
and will therefore run 20% longer bureaucracy that generates not overworking itself. This
for the same maintenance costs. This waste. But CAFMs can also is critical to categories of
reflects huge potential savings as help you monitor key energy equipment like HVAC. Auditing
the costs of light fixtures and HVAC and asset KPIs to meet tougher set points daily through a
equipment is substantial. environmental regulations. remote monitoring platform
allows you to automatically
reset your equipment set
points. This ensures your
HVAC is running at the correct
temperature.
• Analyze your current energy
consumption
• Itemize your building’s energy
usage
• Seek out stable, long-term
energy costs
• Upgrade your lighting CIJ

Clean India Journal•JUNE 2024 45
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