Working with Facilities Management staff

What sorts of discussions do you have in mind, which facility managers may or may not be included in? State and national policy? Code development? Internal organizational planning? Research into energy efficiency?

I have found that facility managers tend to be involved at some level in their internal organizational budgeting and strategic planning for energy -- but perhaps not enough if the budgeting process does not recognize ROI for energy projects. Also, some organizations may put all "sustainability" policy decisions in the Health & Safety office, which tends to be more concerned with compliance than optimizing investments for savings and returns. Moreover, if this effort is led by someone with a "sustainability communications" background, they may not be aware of the wealth of practical knowledge and resources within their own facilities department. It would be unfortunate to overlook that!

Here are some examples of facility and energy manager communities that address energy issues:

http://www.facilitiesnet.com/

http://www.aeecenter.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

http://www.esource.com/public/products/energy_management_services

Also, many utilities have programs for energy or facility managers, and interface with them on efficiency projects and strategy via utility account managers.

- Gwen

Gwen Farnsworth
E Source
United States
www.esource.com

When asked many facilities managers and maintenance managers say that they are not included. At our school district they are important members of the team. I recommend that they be involved early and often. When planning buildings, commisioning and operating. We have saved energy for two years without any capital investments mainly by working with HVAC techs and custodians to solve problems.

Bonnie Meyer
RCM
Olympia School District
United States