Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved
Operating Efficiency
Peter H. Herzog, Partner
Herzog/Wheeler & Associates
St. Paul, MN
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
Three Components of Energy Management
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
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.
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
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”
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
Issue No. 1Guilt for Not Already Doing the Work
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.”
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
Issue No. 1Guilt for Not Already Doing the Work
ASK:
* Do you think that your supervisor believes this work is presently being done?
* Do you feel that you should already be doing this?
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
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?
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
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?
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
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?
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
Issue No. 4Measurement Method
7-Day Average Amps AHU #2
Low Mean High Range Units
61.5 110.4 123.0 61.5 Amps
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
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$
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
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?
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
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
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
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?
Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency
Summary
To motivate staff towards improved operating efficiency:
Provide a clear processAddress fears of operatorsAddress skepticism and
barriersOffer trainingRequire accountabilityInsist upon adequate time
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