At the onset of most energy projects, engineers and consultants run around mechanical rooms seeking to find ways to optimize equipment so they can meet their client’s energy and sustainability goals. Often in the process, the most important factor impacting the building’s operations is neglected – the people!
System deficiencies, equipment age and controls, the emergence of new technology, and other issues all play a part in the energy use of a facility, but they are all driven by the need to meet the varying day-to-day needs of occupants.
Making it all work together, while responding to shifting needs and the occasional complaint, can be the most challenging aspect of building operations and may ultimately be the root cause for why systems perform as they do.
To put it bluntly, being a building operator or engineer is not easy.
It can be a thankless job at times.
Don't believe me?
When was the last time you called down to the control room to let them know how comfortable it was in your office? This is a rare occurrence as compared to the continual calls to let them know that something isn’t right.
Years of projects taught me that in order to understand how to save energy and improve building operations, we must first know how it is being used, who is operating it, and why certain strategies are being employed. The best process was one that sought to understand people first before delving into system improvements.
There is a great deal of institutional knowledge that exists within the operations team. At the start of projects, operators were often eager to share their ideas for improvement and point out the help they needed to better serve the needs of their facility’s occupants. Of course, there were also opportunities for them to learn how to make better use of what they have and gain some added skills and practices.
Building management is evolving and the operations team is being tasked with more as organizations look for ways to implement energy and GHG reduction programs while also ensuring that day-to-day business isn’t impacted or interrupted.
We are quick to look for the next system, project, or program to invest in, but have we looked at investing in the team that will end up managing what we have, and what comes next?
Combining my experience as an energy consultant and instructor with my passion for helping others, my mission is to support the industry by developing customized training programs that encompass building operations holistically from an energy efficiency, reliability, and resiliency standpoint, while positively impacting the engineering culture and fostering a desire continual improvement.
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