Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operating Efficiency

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved

Operating Efficiency

Peter H. Herzog, Partner

Herzog/Wheeler & Associates

St. Paul, MN


Three Components of Energy Management


Goal of Energy-Efficient Operation

To ensure that each significant energy-consuming device uses only as much energy as necessary to perform its intended function.


Issue No. 1Guilt for Not Already Doing the Work

DO NOT define goals or tasks in terms that imply it is work that facilities staff should presently be doing.

E.g.,

“Better Operation and Maintenance of Air Handlers”

“Building Tune-Up”

“Eliminate Energy Waste”



DO define goals and tasks in terms that are outside of expected practices.

E.g.,“The goal is to verify, through detailed measurement and analysis, that Air Handlers meet current minimum outside air standards for the occupancy they presently serve.”



ASK:

* Do you think that your supervisor believes this work is presently being done?

* Do you feel that you should already be doing this?


Issue No. 2Fear that Attempts to Save Energy Will Cause Operational Problems

DO NOT assume staff will willingly embrace changes to long-standing operational practices.

DO define energy-efficient operation as “using only as much energy as necessary to perform the intended function”.

ASK:

*Have previous attempts to save energy resulted in comfort complaints or maintenance problems?


Issue No. 3Skepticism About Savings Potential

DO NOT assume staff believes that there is ACHIEVIBLE operational savings potential

DO define work as a process of helping staff verify operating efficiency.

Keep focus on operations as opposed to upgrades and retrofits

Solicit information on barriers to energy-efficient operation

ASK:

*Do you think any equipment is operating inefficiently? What would it take to improve it?


Issue No. 4Understanding

DO NOT expect staff to take on tasks that they do not adequately understand

DO define instruction and skill-

building as a part of commissioning services

ASK: * What information or training do you

need to feel confident you can sustain energy-efficient operation?


Issue No. 4Measurement Method

7-Day Average Amps AHU #2

Low Mean High Range Units

61.5 110.4 123.0 61.5 Amps


Issue No. 4Cost Calculating Aid

ANNUAL ELECTRICAL COST ESTIMATOR

7-Day Electrical Dollars per Year @ 0.03$ per kWh

Average Amps 480 V

1 218.40$ 2 436.80$ 3 655.20$ 4 873.60$ 5 1,092.00$ 6 1,310.40$ 7 1,528.80$ 8 1,747.20$ 9 1,965.60$

10 2,184.00$ 20 4,368.00$ 30 6,552.00$ 40 8,736.00$ 50 10,920.00$ 60 13,104.00$ 70 15,288.00$ 80 17,472.00$ 90 19,656.00$

100 21,840.00$


Issue No. 5Accountability

DO NOT assume facilities staff presently have accountability for energy-efficient operation.

DO assist facilities staff in defining accountability at each level of supervision.

ASK: * Is your supervisor committed to this work? * Do you and your supervisor have the same

understanding of the goals and tasks? * Is your supervisor sufficiently informed to

supervise your work in this area? * Do you have a vehicle to report the

completion and value of this work to your supervisor?


Issue No. 5

Accountability Aid

Energy Management Process Bldg. No. Developed by Herzog/Wheeler & Associates

Data Logging Calendar for 20___ When to Datalog

Item to be Datalogged

J F M A M J J A S O N D Notes

AMPS @ AHU #5 Supply Fan

Scheduled

Scheduled & Completed


Issue No. 6Time

DO NOT assume that facilities staff will take on this work without additional man-hours.

DO ask facilities management to create a plan for making time available.

ASK: * Which of your present duties will be

performed by others to allow you time for this work?

* Do you have the support of your co-workers for you to do this work?


Summary

To motivate staff towards improved operating efficiency:

Provide a clear processAddress fears of operatorsAddress skepticism and

barriersOffer trainingRequire accountabilityInsist upon adequate time

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operating Efficiency

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