Author: bldgcontrols

A hospital’s building automation system does much more than just optimize the HVAC system. Advanced building automation systems enable administrators to monitor and control a wide array of critical functions. These include life safety, plug load, access control and customized circulation. Hospital system upgrades reduce maintenance costs and increase energy efficiency.

The Needed for Local Customization

Local system interfaces allow health care professionals to control specific performance aspects of their facility. For example, hospital surgeons use control interfaces outside their operating rooms to create pressurized spaces. This allows the doctor to view conditions inside the space and make changes without physically entering the room. Touch-screen devices, such as a system interface, integrates multiple zones into one device for unified control. An equipment touch-screen interface may enable the operator to adjust HVAC equipment in a room for patient comfort and safety.

Performance Metrics and Dashboards

Health care facility administrators use building automation dashboards to track things like safety factors, energy usage, room occupancy, regulatory compliance, environmental conditions and equipment maintenance. This helps them to monitor and manage critical spaces like operating and isolation rooms. Facility administrators can access this data via tablets, smartphones and graphic dashboards to improve operations, system uptime, turnaround times and energy management. It empowers hospital staff to use mobile tablet devices and management apps to view air, humidity, pressure and temperature data.

Advanced Analytics

Some building automation systems integrate and interact with hospital software systems. One of the leading health care industry trends are solutions that bridge the IT and data sharing gaps between clinical systems and building automation programs. Facility administrators that can track real-time bed, room and equipment usage will provide better service and more comfortable environments for patients. For instance, many hospital leaders prefer to integrate the admission, discharge and transfer systems into the building automation platform for energy conservation management. That is, a patient discharge and unoccupied room will automatically trigger the equipment and HVAC system to enter sleep or standby modes.

Some hospitals are even integrating operating room scheduling into the building automation system to reduce the number of air changes per hour for unoccupied periods.

Did you know that America is the global leader in wasting energy? The financial consequence of wasting and overusing energy is increased operational costs.  Companies that waste energy will spend more money without an appreciable ROI. The expected lifespan of production machines will diminish, there will be less capital for improvements and the company will create an unpleasant carbon footprint. Business leaders and facility managers can minimize energy waste by consulting with energy experts and by following the advice below.

Implement an Environmental Management System

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines an Environmental Management System (EMS) as practices and processes that enable an organization to reduce increase operating efficiency and environmental impacts. An EMS will cost time, money and commitment, but the benefits are priceless. Formal EMS programs, such as the ISO 14000 series, are professional certified through national and international accrediting agencies. These programs are very demanding and comprehensive.

However, the EMS program will provide a structured framework for organizations to manage their operations and associated environmental impacts. They will help companies save money related to water, waste, energy and purchasing. EMS programs guarantee better management of environmental risk and compliance with legal regulations.  They demonstrate sustainability commitment and corporate responsibility to the public, which are powerful advertising and marketing tools.

Smart and Strategic Management

The first step is to hone the skills, buy the technology and establish the incentives to monitor and evaluate energy usage. Companies must first benchmark and quantify facility energy-usage data before they can reduce costs and energy consumption. Facility managers can do this through viewing energy consumption from an outside auditor’s perspective. They should accurately allocate energy costs based standard factors, such as square footage or processing unit. Next, they can digitally monitor facility-level energy consumption through innovative devices, integrated software and even basic spreadsheet-based models.

Facility managers should consider employing the services of energy auditors, industrial experts and sustainability support groups. For example, the EPA’s Energy Star program offers a useful Energy Program Assessment Matrix to help companies evaluate energy management performance. The Department of Energy’s Industrial Technologies Program provides comprehensive energy assessments. There are also many excellent third-party consulting companies that provide holistic solutions and energy management support.

Finally, facilities can lower their energy usage through design improvements, which may reuse of waste heat, and intelligent production scheduling, which will automate equipment change overs.  They are also many new groundbreaking technologies that offer power-control devices, motion-control solutions and energy-efficient components.

Organizational profits and revenues are dependent on proper energy and facility management. As companies continue to grow, this naturally increases the need to improve energy and facility management training programs, outcomes and capabilities.

Most companies will benefit from utilizing external experts and by following the suggestions below.

Benchmark Current Performance

Facility managers should conduct comprehensive assessments of current training programs. This should include reviews of attendance, curricula content, organizational support and real-world benefits. These assessments may reveal that initial training and new orientation is strong, but staff support and development for existing supervisors is weak. The results may question the effectiveness of training content that does not use optimal delivery methods, competency-based models and standard teaching techniques. Sometimes, these assessments will only identify new opportunities for improving sustainability, maintenance and cost savings.

Define Program Goals

The next step is to define the current and future objectives by collaboration between managers and senior leaders. This will help to determine energy goals, enhance maintenance protocols and improvement communication between management and staff. Common goals focus on cross-training and leadership development. For example, facility management training that involves new IT systems and solutions need the input of seasoned managers who are extremely familiar with the property, equipment and buildings. District and regional managers need cross-training to understand each other’s operational updates, new capabilities and best practices.

Track Progress

The final step is to monitor the progress of training activities through status meetings, data analytics and performance metrics. For example, energy, facility, inventory and maintenance information systems should be used to compile insightful reports on needs and progress.  Many large companies find it’s easier to employ the services of a third-party asset optimization company because this helps with capital planning, project development, risk management and engineering projects. Either way, companies should focus on long-term optimization solutions that offer strategic direction, budget predictability and comprehensive support.

A company with multiple location doesn’t necessarily have to set up separate training programs. Instead, they may select the most successful program that can be shared, customized and standardized. Companies that better manage their energy consumption and facility maintenance will minimize problems, remain competitive and more compliant with government regulations.

Do you dread checking your building’s utility bills month after month? Well, you aren’t alone. According to Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), building owners spend approximately 22% of their total operating costs on utilities, or about $2.25 per square foot of space each year. For corporate facilities, this number increases to $2.70.

But power, gas and water are essential for all facilities, so you can’t necessarily turn them off. You can, however, implement some smart budgeting tips to better plan for utility expenses.

Analyze Past Utility Bills

Being that utilities are metered, you won’t know exactly how much your building’s power and water will cost until you receive a bill the following month — and that’s okay. By looking at utility bills from previous months, you can predict your building’s upcoming utility costs.

If you don’t have your old utility bills, contact the utility providers to request a copy. They should gladly send you an extra to assist with your budgeting efforts. It’s recommended that you analyze between 12-24 months of past utility bills, as this reveals seasonal changes and subsequent fluctuations in utility usage. Using this information, you can predict upcoming utility expenses for your building.

If you save your bill stubs, you can get an idea how much you spend in a typical month. Your utility company can provide you with a record of your utility bills if you don’t save your stubs, or you can look back over bank statements to find how much you’ve been paying. Keep an eye out for anomalies like record heat waves or cold snaps. Note the trends in your utility bills so you’ll have an idea which months make the highest demands on your utility budget. Being prepared can help you fine tune your monthly budget based on typical utility costs.

Ask About Projected Rate Increases

In addition to reviewing historical utility expenses, you should also inquire about possible rate increases in the near future. Utility rates constantly change due to factors such as natural disasters, inflation, weather, and legal reform. So even if you’ve paid the same rate for your building’s power over the last 12 months, your power company could increase your rate.

If your utility rates are expected to increase, you should set aside additional funds to cover the increase in your budget.

Invest in a Low-cost Utility Bill Management Service

If you have multiple buildings and with several utility bills/meters consider investing in a utility bill management service. There are several on the market today that provide solutions that forges utility invoice and data reception, auditing, accounts payable exporting, and aggregated energy usage analysis.  The solutions are an Internet and cloud-based systems, that are fully customizable and can provide a hierarchy of data from the meter to any organization-wide level for reporting. Your utility expenditures and consumption will be viewable across their entire organization to improve management interaction and engagement.  The systems can track costs, usage, and demand for the utility types such as electricity and natural gas, as well as water, waste, etc. Essentially, anything with an invoice can be tracked in the systems.  The solutions are capable of tracking limitless facilities and accounts and provides both weather normalization and benchmarking capabilities saving you time and energy sorting through all the bills and data.

Look for Ways to Reduce Your Building’s Energy and Water Usage

Of course, you can also seek ways to lower your building’s utility bills. When used in conjunction with a proper budgeting strategy, this can ease the burden of otherwise costly power, gas and water bills.

• Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives such as compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
• Considering installing high-efficiency toilets. Also known as a low-flow toilet, they use 4.8 liters of water or less per flush, whereas a traditional toilet uses 6 liters or more.
• Monitor your building’s power usage to determine where it’s being used the most.
• Hire a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) company to routinely inspect your building’s central air conditioning and heating.
• Install insulation around water heaters and hot water pipes.
• Choose energy-efficient appliances and equipment.
• Train staff to implement these tips.

Budgeting for utilities is an important step in operating a building. Turning a blind eye often results in “sticker shock” when you see the final bill. By following the tips outlined above, however, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect with your monthly utility bills.

For more utility budgeting tips, contact us today. Performance Solutions is the industry’s leading provider of facility improvement projects. With our expertise, you can drive down the cost of utilities and associated expenses.