Did you know 90% of executives believe sustainability is important, but only 60% of organizations have sustainability strategies?
Sustainability is becoming more and more essential for organizations to stay relevant and competitive in today’s global marketplace. In addition to the environmental benefits, studies show sustainability has also been proven to attract top talent, reduce costs, and boost profits.
Facility managers (FMs) play a vital role in helping organizations achieve sustainability goals by implementing strategies that reduce energy consumption, waste, and environmental impact. In this article, we discuss the importance of sustainability in facility management and ways FMs can create an energy-efficient workplace.
What is Sustainable Facilities Management, and Why is it Important?
Sustainable facility management is a practice that focuses on the efficient use of resources and energy in order to reduce waste and environmental impact. It is a holistic approach to managing a facility that takes into account the economic, environmental, and social aspects of the facility.
Sustainability is an important concept for FMs to consider when managing their facilities. By implementing sustainable practices, facility managers can reduce energy consumption, waste, and environmental impact. This can help organizations save money and reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, sustainability practices can help improve the health and safety of employees and customers, as well as the overall quality of life in the workplace.
How to Create an Energy-Efficient Workplace
Sustainable facility management strategies are essential for creating an energy-efficient workplace. By implementing sustainable practices, FMs can help organizations reduce their energy consumption and save money in the long run. Here are five ways FMs can create an energy-efficient workplace for greater sustainability.
1. Conduct Sustainability Analytics
Gaining insight into your facility’s performance is essential for understanding your current sustainability status. Conducting a sustainability audit will give you insight into current sustainability efforts and help determine where energy might be wasted. Having this data will enable data-driven decisions regarding repairs, maintenance, and replacements that are more environmentally friendly.
2. Update Older Assets
Replacing outdated equipment and appliances with more energy-efficient alternatives is highly beneficial, as older assets tend to be less eco-friendly due to factors such as the materials used and their energy consumption. Consider swapping old lighting fixtures with energy-efficient light bulbs, investing in a more efficient HVAC system, or replacing old window units with ones that are better insulated.
3. Perform Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance helps to ensure that your equipment remains in optimal working condition. This is especially important for older equipment, as less-than-ideal performance can have an impact on sustainability. Furthermore, regular maintenance on older equipment can reduce the amount of energy used over time and extend the equipment’s lifespan, thereby reducing material usage for replacement pieces.
4. Implement Energy-Efficient Technology
Energy efficiency is a key component of sustainable facility management. It involves reducing the amount of energy used in a facility, while maintaining or improving the quality of service. This can be achieved through the use of energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting, efficient HVAC systems, and energy-efficient appliances. Additionally, energy efficiency can be improved through the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. By utilizing these technologies, facilities can reduce their energy consumption and save money in the long run.
5. Work with Sustainable Service Providers
When your facilities require repair and maintenance, partner with service providers who use eco-friendly products and energy-efficient tools. Furthermore, ensure that the providers you hire are familiar with low-energy equipment and assets.
Achieve Sustainability With a Partner You Can Trust
Creating an energy-efficient workplace is an important step in sustainable facilities management. It requires an understanding of the energy needs of the organization, the development of a plan to reduce energy use, and the implementation of energy-saving measures.
National Facilities Direct develops maintenance and facility solutions that eliminate operational disruptions, fine-tune energy management systems for optimal energy efficiency, and implement training procedures that teach our clients, the end users, the critical role they play in reaching energy usage targets. Our team will work with you to review your existing process and practices to formulate a unique plan of action that meets your energy initiative goals while minimizing spending and positively impacting your facility’s overall performance. Contact us today to learn more.