Facilities Management Services

In January 1983, Hartford, Connecticut became the site of the world’s first “intelligent building”—a 36-story, 1.3-million-square-foot behemoth aptly named “Cityplace.” Though rudimentary when compared to today’s smart buildings, at the time Cityplace represented a new era in building construction.

A New York Times article from that time describes how the building’s services were managed by a computer system and linked by a fiber-optic network—a trademarked system called a ”Data Highway”—that ran through its core.

“Functions such as heating, ventilation, lighting, transportation, security, fire protection and, most important, telecommunications and electronic office services will be integrated, providing economies in construction and management,” the article stated.

The new concept had its skeptics. In the NYT article, BOMA’s executive vice president was quoted as saying, ”They are still in the testing stage.”

But four decades later, it’s clear that the builders had the right idea. Today’s smart buildings incorporate the core principles of that first prototype—but are far more sophisticated, thanks to massive advances in technology that allow faster and seamless controls. And these innovations are saving business owners millions by creating efficiencies across multiple systems.

While HVAC and lighting savings are the best-known advantages of smart buildings, the fact that all systems can be monitored in real time results in additional operational efficiencies that can be significant money-savers.

What Are Smart Buildings?

Key features of smart buildings include energy efficiency through networked HVAC and lighting systems; automated management systems; data analytics to gain insights into a building’s performance and occupant behavior; connectivity and interoperability; enhanced safety and security systems; predictive maintenance through monitoring equipment in real time; and sustainability by reducing a building’s carbon footprint and overall environmental impact.

When Cityplace opened, the internet as we know it was still a decade off. Computer technology was much less robust. The sophisticated sensors, biometric devices, and other features commonly used today simply didn’t exist.

Now, of course, technology makes a wide array of functions possible that Cityplace designers could only dream of. Some commonly used technologies include:

Building Management Systems

These are the brains that make smart buildings possible. The building management system (BMS) is a control system that can be used to monitor and manage power consumption, HVAC performance, physical access into and within the building, and the status of fire safety systems, elevators, and lights.

A basic BMS consists of software, a server with a database, and smart sensors connected to a network. Sensors gather data and send it to the BMS, where it’s stored in a database. The data is analyzed and reported via dashboards; and if data falls outside the predefined conditions, the BMS will send notifications.

IoT Devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) consists of devices with sensors, processing ability, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet or other networks. The devices provide information to the BMS. Smart technology utilizing IoT and AI can increase energy efficiency by 30%, resulting in a payback period of fewer than 15 years.

Advanced HVAC Systems

These systems utilize energy-efficient components and intelligent controls to significantly reduce energy consumption. For example, sensors can detect which parts of the building are currently unoccupied and reduce heating and cooling to those areas. Conversely, the system can increase ventilation to areas where there are lots of people. By optimizing heating, ventilation, and cooling, these systems ensure that energy is used only when needed.

Smart Lighting

Smart lighting saves money by optimizing the use of natural light and turning off lights in unoccupied areas. It utilizes IoT sensors and advanced analytics to control light sources, enabling healthy illumination that varies according to individual preferences, occupancy, availability of daylight, and other factors.

Security Systems

By implementing access control through biometrics, portable cards, and advanced reporting, access control systems allow facility managers to properly track everyone who enters or exits the building. These advanced systems record the time of entry and departure, and the length of stay, ensuring that all those coming in and out of a building—or section of a building—are authorized to do so.

Benefits of Smart Buildings

While the biggest driver behind the rise of smart buildings is a desire for greater energy efficiency, there are numerous other benefits. These include improving the tenant and visitor experience, providing safer workplaces, and streamlining and optimizing maintenance.

Energy Efficiency

The biggest bang for the buck offered by smart buildings is saving money on heating and air conditioning. In traditional buildings, HVAC systems account for about 40% of total energy consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that simply by adjusting temperatures as needed, a smart HVAC system can lower a building’s energy consumption by 5% to 35%, producing significant financial savings. And companies have indeed found this to be the case: Within 30 days of implementing a building automation system at one of its campuses, Microsoft realized $240,000 in energy savings.

Smart HVAC systems proactively manage energy consumption, reducing unnecessary cooling and heating and therefore significantly lowering energy costs. This intelligent approach not only enhances the efficiency of the system but also extends the lifespan of the HVAC equipment by preventing overuse.

Lighting uses the second-highest amount of energy in a commercial building, accounting for 15% to 20% of energy consumption. By utilizing sensors, the BMS can automatically adjust the amount of lighting in a room based on how much sunlight is available. And like a parent telling a kid to turn out the lights when leaving a room, the system automatically dims or shuts off the lights when a room is unoccupied.

Improved Occupant Comfort

Besides cost savings, a key benefit of smart buildings is enhanced occupant comfort and productivity. As companies work to meet return-to-office (RTO) goals, it’s become important to make places of work as pleasant as possible for staff when they’re onsite, so that the time they spend in the office is a positive experience.

Smart buildings make that possible because the building’s systems can adapt to individual preferences, providing customized lighting, temperature, and other settings for a personalized work environment. Smart building technology also allows desk space and meeting rooms to be booked efficiently, so that office space is maximized, and companies can realize operational savings from their hybrid work schedules.

Operational Efficiency

While HVAC and lighting savings are the best-known advantages of smart buildings, the fact that all systems can be monitored in real time results in additional operational efficiencies that can be significant money-savers. For example, Microsoft found that before the adoption of smart building technologies, their engineers were spending 80% of their time resolving acute management issues, and just 20% in their true capacity as engineers. That changed after the implementation of new monitoring and remote-control technologies—subsequent analysis showed that 48% of the issues identified could be resolved within 60 seconds, a major saving of staff time.

Safety and Security

Having a security guard and a surveillance camera at a building’s main entrance is no longer enough. Today, building security measures include automated visitor check-ins and access control, motion sensors, smart locks, cameras with live monitoring, and AI facial recognition. Building managers can also receive real-time updates on the status of fire alarms, suppression systems, and emergency lighting, enabling swift responses when needed. Cybersecurity protections have also become more common, as the increased connectivity of the IoT has made buildings more vulnerable to attack.

Maintenance Optimization

An important benefit of IoT is that it makes predictive maintenance possible. This prevents malfunctions, keeps small issues from becoming big problems, and significantly reduces the cost of managing real estate assets—while improving the tenant experience. A 2017 study found that predictive maintenance reduced downtime by 35%, unplanned outages by 70%, and costs by 25%. This innovative data-driven approach can transform the upkeep of buildings.

Smart building technology also makes it easier to fix problems as they occur. For instance, if a leak is detected or an HVAC unit has been running for an abnormal amount of time, management is notified, and maintenance personnel can be dispatched quickly to take corrective measures before problems escalate. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and reduces the need for reactive repairs, which can lead to exponentially higher costs.

Moreover, smart building solutions facilitate remote monitoring and control, which gives maintenance teams the ability to manage and troubleshoot systems from a centralized location. Through web-based platforms or mobile applications, technicians can diagnose problems, adjust device settings, and perform routine maintenance tasks without the need to be onsite. Not only does this remote accessibility save time, resources, and labor costs, it also enables teams to respond quickly to emergencies and ensures minimal disruption to building occupants.

As technology continues to advance, the role of smart building solutions in optimizing efficiency for onsite maintenance teams will only grow. By leveraging real-time monitoring, remote diagnostics, and data-driven decision-making, owners can ensure their buildings are operating at peak performance.

The Future of Smart Buildings

Of course, smart building design is evolving along with the technology that drives it. As more devices become connected, and AI capabilities improve, smart building architecture will offer even more innovative solutions for sustainable, efficient, and comfortable working spaces. For example, keycards could be replaced with apps on smartphones and smartwatches or by biometrics. Other key technologies that will shape the office building of the future could include:

IoT-Connected Heat Pumps

These systems can both cool and heat buildings, moving around liquid refrigerants to remove or add heat in a process that can reduce energy consumption by 50% compared to standard heating and cooling systems. Coupled with IoT sensors, these high-tech pumps also enable customized temperature control, allowing rooms to be heated or cooled on demand.

IoT sensors can further improve efficiency by leveraging AI models that actively predict where and when heating or cooling is needed, based on historical trends. AI offers the opportunity to turn HVAC systems from a reactive technology into a proactive one, reducing equipment upkeep.

Virtual Power Plants

Heat pumps with IoT sensors, coupled with local energy-generating resources like rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems, could supply electricity back to the power grid during periods of peak demand. As a result, buildings themselves can act as “virtual power plants,” generating revenue by capitalizing on control of energy usage.

Smart Glass

Soon, more than a quarter of heating and cooling for buildings may go out the window—literally. Smart glass makes this possible by changing the level of tint, or how much light can pass through a window. There are two methods for doing so.

Active smart glass uses a film placed on top of the window to react to the presence of electrical voltage. This enables the glass to change the polarization of the film, resulting in the blocking of more or less sunlight. The glass is hooked up to a power source and can be switched on or off as well as dimmed.

Passive smart glass has a film that reacts to heat or UV/visible light to change polarization. This technology, which is also used for transition lenses, has the benefit of not requiring an external power source. And soon, more advanced smart windows could generate electricity while delivering 30% more energy savings than the smart windows now on the market.

AI-Assisted Occupancy and Security Tech

Advances in AI and computing power have improved security by better detecting and classifying images. Known as computer vision, this technology identifies and analyzes visual data the same way humans do, and can be paired with conventional security technologies, such as metal detectors and thermal screening, to help security personnel identify objects faster.

Digital Twins

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a real object or set of objects, constructed with real-world data collected from IoT sensors. After an initial model is created, digital twins undergo simulations to provide performance feedback under various scenarios without having to test the actual system that’s being modeled.

For example, a manager overseeing an office building’s HVAC system may want to know how much energy savings they’ll see by upgrading to a new heat pump. Using data from IoT sensors that measure temperature and humidity, as well as energy consumption data for the current HVAC system, the building manager can construct a digital twin and run heat pump simulations that compare the current and potential HVAC systems, and so determine if it’s worth the cost to upgrade.

Will these advances all come to pass? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: Smart buildings are poised to revolutionize how we live and work.

Optimizing Smart Buildings

PRIDE Industries has over 35 years of experience in facilities management, energy systems maintenance, engineering services, and preventive and predictive maintenance. We can help you optimize your facility’s systems to lower both energy and maintenance costs. Contact us today to see what our award-winning facilities management services can do for you.

Learn More

It may be gradual, but it is happening. Organizations are implementing return to office (RTO) policies that ask employees to be in the office at least a few days a week.

After the COVID-19 era of fully remote work led to downsizing and vacancies in the commercial office space, emerging RTO policies are now causing work schedules to shift again. While it’s true that many businesses have embraced remote work schedules, most companies now require employees to be in the office for at least part of the week. Only 4% of companies say they expect to remain fully remote in the future.

But while workers are coming into the office more often than before, it’s not like companies have rolled back the clock to the pre-pandemic era. Heightened employee expectations, along with a labor shortage that makes hiring and retention a priority, mean that facilities management teams need to be more flexible than ever before.

Smart facility executives and property managers are taking note of changed expectations and are working with company leadership to ensure building services and amenities are conducive to an office environment that “earns the commute”—whether employees are in the office two days a week or five.

Heightened employee expectations, along with a labor shortage that makes hiring and retention a priority, mean that facilities management teams need to be more flexible than ever before.

With that in mind, we look at three ways that facility managers and property owners can keep employees and tenants happy as companies implement or expand their RTO policies.

Hoteling, Hot Desking, and the Hybrid Schedule

Most companies understand that return to office policies will be most successful when a carrot and not a stick is used to get valued employees back in the office. And the carrot for many employees these days is a hybrid work schedule. This is why, according to CBRE Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights, less than 10% of organizations require employees to be in the office five days a week.

While some companies have tried to mandate that their employees return to the office five days a week, this policy has mostly backfired. Businesses that offer hybrid office schedules are able to fill jobs twice as fast as those who require full-time attendance, according to Fortune magazine, making it clear that the hybrid workplace is here to stay. That explains why the CBRE study found that 90% of RTO policies offer a hybrid option.

And while some CEOs grumble about hybrid work schedules, the fact is that companies can realize significant savings by embracing this model. It costs about $8,000 to maintain an office desk. If adopting a hybrid schedule enables a company to move from a one-to-one worker-to-desk ratio to a two-to-one ratio, that can translate into significant savings. For this reason, savvy organizations are introducing desk hoteling, a system in which workers reserve a desk ahead of time through desk booking software or a mobile app. Another popular option is hot desking, where employees grab a desk on a first-come, first-serve basis when they arrive in the office.

To accommodate desk-sharing workspaces and create an efficient hybrid return to office transition, facility leaders need to consider changes on several fronts.

Create Equal Spaces

Is hot desking revealing that certain desks in your office are constantly occupied, while others are consistently empty? To ensure that workers aren’t battling for the same few desks while others are left underutilized, facility managers should investigate the reasons some workstations are shunned. Is the desk in a Wi-Fi dead spot? Is there insufficient light? A lack of electrical outlets?

And there’s another consideration that has nothing to do with the workstation itself. The real estate maxim—“location, location, location”—applies to desks as much as houses. A third of workers report that their incentive to come into the office is to be around coworkers. Given that preference, it’s clear that outlying desks are going to be ignored in favor of workstations that are located in the center of the action. Facilities managers can respond to this preference by placing workstations in grouped configurations.

Leverage IoT

To reduce energy consumption, use IoT-enabled building automation systems to monitor and control energy use. This smart technology can optimize energy consumption by adjusting cooling systems, turning off lights, or automatically closing blinds against direct sunlight. As the fixed workday disappears, take advantage of the data gathering and analytical capabilities of automated systems to optimize how space is used. Statistics from desk booking apps can show desk occupancy, and occupancy sensors can reveal room utilization in communal areas. This data can then be used to make decisions about space allocation, improve occupant comfort, and control building costs as work schedules fluctuate.

Optimize Wireless Technology

Seamless wireless connections are vital for productive in-office work. Remote work has increased the use of technology for meetings and presentations, and this will remain as workers return to offices. Having excellent wireless presentation capabilities, interactive whiteboards in meeting rooms, and similar productivity-enhancing technology will make it easy for those workers who are in the office to collaborate with those who aren’t—a necessity with hybrid work. And for those workers who are in the office on any given day, smart switches and fixtures that control lighting intensity and color can facilitate greater productivity, and go a long way in keeping employees and tenants happy.

Updating Spaces for the Hybrid Worker

Organizations are reevaluating the quality of office environments, and many are finding that improved amenities and more welcoming spaces are a good way to entice employees to make the commute to the office. Now may be time for the tiny chair-less kitchen or drab windowless lunchroom to be transformed into a more inviting space. In addition to rearranging office spaces and creating flexible seating arrangements that align with hybrid work schedules, adding or upgrading amenities is another way to keep employees happy and productive.

Provide Options

Comfortable communal spaces with soft furnishings are great as collaboration hubs for impromptu meetings or brainstorming sessions, and can even lead to better teamwork and morale. At the same time, many employees report the need for quiet in order to focus, which is why it’s equally important to provide rooms or booths that are at least partially soundproofed.

Use Natural Light

Natural light has been shown to improve well-being among employees. It’s also a great way to reduce energy consumption. If your facility doesn’t already have daylight sensors, consider installing them. Reducing or eliminating artificial lighting whenever natural light is available can introduce significant cost savings—and make the workplace ambiance more inviting. In areas where less natural light is available, consider alternative lighting options such as focused task lighting or softer ambient lighting, instead of banks of unforgiving fluorescent lights as the sole source of illumination.

Cosmetic improvements

Just because an upgrade is easy or inexpensive doesn’t mean it’s not effective. A coat of paint, plenty of plants, and new decor in dull areas can make a big difference to the office ambience. This goes for hallways and bathrooms too.

Service Amenities

Employee surveys show that workers appreciate amenities like gyms, cafés, outdoor trails, and roof gardens. But not every company can afford a café on the roof or a fully outfitted gym. In that case, consider smaller, less expensive improvements, like upgrading the seating in an outdoor patio. Even little changes can make a difference.

Customer Service for the Return to Office Naysayers

While many executives want to bring employees back to the office five days a week, a high percentage of employees do not share that sentiment. In fact, according to Forbes Advisor, 98% of workers want to work remotely for at least part of the week.

The reasons for this preference vary. Some employees do not want to return to the office because their WFH (work-from-home) setup is better. Many have caregiving responsibilities that require flexible schedules. Some employees are simply more productive, and more likely to work longer hours, when at home. Others have concerns about viral exposure.

These are all valid concerns, and they can be addressed by providing excellent facility management services.

Responsiveness

Workers are not willing to make the commute to a building where the thermostat is broken or there are unresolved plumbing issues in one of the bathrooms. Here’s where CMMS software can make a real difference, enabling you to stay on top of these inevitable issues in a timely manner. These software systems also make it possible to engage in predictive maintenance, so that you catch issues before they happen.

Show Off Your Cleaning

Buildings with efficient and timely janitorial protocols will make employees feel less stressed. Consider scheduling some janitorial services during work hours. This will not only save on labor costs, but will also reassure building occupants that high standards of cleanliness are being met. Making janitorial staff visible during the workday has been shown to reduce employee complaints, perhaps because it provides visual proof that the building is being properly maintained.

Even though the pandemic is over, COVID-19 and other viruses are still circulating. Letting employees know that sanitation protocols are still in effect, and letting them see for themselves that these protocols are being carried out by the janitorial staff, can go a long way in providing peace of mind.

Facilitate Communication and Community

Incorporating digital signage to show who is in the office and where they are working can be a great way to increase community among employees. And always be sure to communicate to occupants when significant maintenance is being performed, so that they know what to expect in advance. For significant projects, communicate well in advance—through email and physical signage—so that building occupants can plan for any disruptions to their routines.

Facility Managers Can Ease the Return to Office

Office schedules and leasing may have been upturned due to the pandemic, but the RTO trend is continuing to bring workers back to the office—albeit a different kind of workplace.

New office configurations and technology will be crucial for meeting the demands of hybrid work schedules, as will agile facility services that emphasize excellent customer service. By working cross-functionally with company leadership, facility managers can play a key role in creating a workplace that runs smoothly and makes employees happy to be back in the office.

Your Return to Office Facilities Partner

Optimize your office operations for RTO success with our award-winning facility management services. With more than 140 million square feet of facilities under management, and over 35 years of experience, PRIDE Industries can help you create an office environment that’s both efficient and welcoming.

Learn More

The federal government and a growing number of states are seeking ways to combat climate change, leading them to tighten up emissions standards for everything from vehicles to buildings. And in the same way that regulators are hoping to make zero-emission vehicles the norm, net zero buildings are being touted as the next innovation to combat pollution.

Buildings are being targeted because the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that they are responsible for more than a third of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. In an effort to reduce the size of this carbon footprint, both the federal government and several states have already started crafting regulations to encourage the creation of net zero buildings. The California Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, for example, calls for all new commercial construction to be net zero by 2030, and for 50% of existing buildings to be retrofitted to net zero building standards by 2030. The federal government recently followed suit, with goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by 65% by 2035 and by 90% by 2050.

A JLL study found that buildings with better sustainability credentials achieved an average capital value premium of more than 20%, as well as higher rents.

The new regulations don’t just affect new construction. Because about 60% of existing buildings will still be in use 50 years from now, many of these structures will need to be retrofitted in order to conform to net zero standards.

The Advantages of Net Zero Buildings

The Department of Energy defines a net zero building as one that reduces its energy usage through a variety of energy-saving features and technologies, while producing enough renewable energy to meet its own needs. Besides potentially large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, decarbonizing the buildings sector has multiple public benefits, including reducing the size of new power grid infrastructure and enabling clean energy resources like on-site solar panels, battery storage, and EV charging.

And the environment isn’t the only beneficiary of the new standards. Besides helping to reduce carbon emissions, building retrofits can lead to significant advantages for building owners.

One obvious benefit is reduced energy costs. These costs have risen sharply over the past few years, which impacts profitability. For example, a global survey conducted by Sapio Research found that 23% of an industrial company’s annual operating costs are attributable to energy use. And more than half of survey respondents perceived rising energy costs as a moderate or even substantial threat to their profitability.

Net zero buildings provide indirect benefits as well. For example, in a study by global real estate services company JLL, researchers found that buildings with better sustainability credentials achieved an average capital value premium of more than 20%, along with higher rents—signaling an expectation of higher returns and lower risks.

Maximizing the Benefits of Net Zero Buildings

The data show that constructing or retrofitting buildings to meet net zero standards can deliver real benefits. So how can building owners achieve net zero?

To receive the most benefit from retrofitting, owners should take a systemic approach. A recent report from Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, for example, found that simply upgrading individual building components such as equipment or lighting systems has less potential for whole building energy savings as compared to comprehensive, system-based approaches.

“Systems retrofits hold the potential for much greater savings and are critical to achieving aggressive energy reduction goals in the existing commercial building stock,” the report states.

Creating Net Zero Buildings Through Retrofitting

Fortunately, owners of existing buildings have many different ways to significantly reduce emissions. And as a recent report by the United Kingdom Green Building Council points out, it’s often less expensive to retrofit a quality building than to tear it down and build a new one. That same report also suggests that upgrades don’t all need to be done at once, but should instead be systematically planned and implemented to align with lease and maintenance cycles.

There are a number of steps that should be part of any comprehensive retrofit. Whether you conduct this work in house, or with a facilities maintenance provider who can offer engineering support, here are some steps to consider when crafting a retrofit plan to fit your particular needs.

Energy efficiency audit

Before making any changes, it’s crucial to conduct an energy efficiency audit. This helps identify current energy usage and areas where improvements can be made. The audit should include an assessment of key infrastructure such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; lighting; insulation; and windows. In many cases, an audit can also provide the technical and financial information (e.g., upfront costs, ongoing costs, projected energy savings, return on investment, etc.) that decision-makers need to evaluate and approve energy efficiency, electrification, and grid interactivity retrofits.

These audits provide decision-makers with the information needed to design comprehensive projects that maximize energy and cost savings. In many buildings, energy costs can be reduced by 20% or more through the identification and implementation of energy conservation measures.

Once the audit results are in, you can decide which of the following upgrades make the most sense for your particular building.

Insulation and sealing

According to Energy Star, air leakage can cause up to 20% of a building’s energy to go to waste. Poorly sealed windows and doors, gaps and cracks in the building envelope, and leaks in ventilation systems and ductwork are most often responsible for the loss of conditioned air.

This is why building envelope retrofits—such as replacing older windows with energy-efficient ones and adding cool roof systems and exterior shading applications—can lead to significant energy savings. In some cases, these retrofits can even allow the use of smaller-capacity HVAC systems.

HVAC Upgrades

Older HVAC systems can be energy hogs. Upgrading to newer and more efficient systems, such as those with variable speed drives and energy recovery ventilators, can significantly reduce energy consumption. In addition, new systems are much less likely to break down, saving on repair and maintenance costs. Newer systems also have additional components, such as enhanced air purifiers and filters, that result in cleaner, fresher air for employees.

Innovative Lighting

Switching to LED lighting, which is much more energy-efficient than incandescent and even fluorescent lighting, is the low-hanging fruit of retrofitting. Installing motion sensors that let you turn off lights (and drop HVAC usage) when a room is empty can also yield significant savings. And daylight redirecting devices, which range in sophistication from simple skylights to high-tech solar concentrators, enable you to maximize sunlight capture.

Renewable Energy Sources

Energy Star suggests installing onsite renewable energy technology, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to offset a building’s energy consumption. If onsite energy generation isn’t feasible, purchasing renewable energy credits or investing in offsite renewable projects can also help achieve net zero building status.

Water Conservation

Implementing water-saving fixtures and recycling systems (like graywater systems for toilet flushing or irrigation) helps reduce the overall environmental footprint. In addition, switching from a central hot water heater system to point-of-use, on-demand water heaters is another effective energy-saving strategy.

Sustainable Materials and Resources

During renovations or upgrades, urge your contractors to use materials that are sustainable, have low embodied carbon, and are locally sourced, if possible. This minimizes the environmental impact associated with building materials. Good options include recycled metals, low-carbon bricks, and structural timber.

Smart Building Technologies

Smart technology has two complementary goals: better data capture and increased control over operations and the environment. Three technologies are commonly used to help building managers meet those goals: sensors that measure usage and potential leaks, networking systems that collect and monitor data, and automation software and tools that optimize the building’s systems. Smart HVAC and lighting controls are the most common technologies utilized, but there are other applications as well: managing water usage and alerting managers to costly leaks; improving occupant comfort by tracking how many people are in a room and adjusting HVAC systems accordingly; and controlling windows to adjust for optimal lighting based on outside conditions.

Transportation

Building managers can affect energy usage beyond the confines of the building envelope. Retrofits can be an excellent time to add features that encourage sustainable transportation, such as charging stations for electric vehicles, secure bicycle parking, and easy access to public transport.

After the Retrofit: Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance

After upgrades, continuous monitoring of the building’s energy performance is crucial. This helps to ensure that the building continues to operate at peak efficiency and allows for adjustments as needed.

Energy Star reports that integrating energy efficiency into your facility’s operation and maintenance (O&M) program reduces operating costs, lowers the risk of early equipment failure and unscheduled downtime, and increases a facility’s net operating income. It also ensures a comfortable environment for building occupants, leading to fewer “hot and cold” complaints.

To maximize energy efficiency, Energy Star recommends operating equipment only when needed, optimizing the use of control systems, performing periodic inspections of critical systems, scheduling after-hours walk-throughs, and seasonally adjusting control strategies. Fortunately, the advent of Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) have made it easier for facilities managers to adopt all of these practices by having access to real-time data that enables detailed planning and the efficient deployment of personnel.

Finally, while instituting a comprehensive monitoring and maintenance program is crucial, building owners and managers can’t do it all. Engaging occupants and providing training on how to maintain and enhance a building’s net zero capabilities is essential. Building occupants significantly impact a building’s energy use through their day-to-day behaviors. Educating occupants about energy usage, and creating a culture of conservation, can make a difference in your building’s energy consumption.

An Energy-Saving Partner

PRIDE Industries has over 35 years of experience in facility management, energy systems maintenance, engineering services, and preventive and predictive maintenance. We can help you move toward net zero by optimizing your facility’s systems and lowering energy costs, all while maximizing occupant comfort.

Learn More

Professional facility managers know that regular commercial building inspection is not optional but crucial to ensure facility occupants are safe and all building structures are sound.

Although inspections vary in scope across industries, BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association International) recommends an annual “roof to floor” inspection for building envelopes, and OSHA suggests quarterly, monthly, or even weekly “self-inspections” for buildings, depending on the industry and potential facility hazards.

Whether you inspect once a year or once a quarter, tackle the entire facility in one go or break it up into sections, it can take a lot of labor hours and experienced personnel to carry out a thorough inspection.

The good news is that innovative, time-saving tools are becoming more accessible for inspection tasks, enabling efficient, informative, and reliable checks and monitoring.

Here are some of the tools being used for building inspections by facility managers looking to stay current and ensure that essential inspections for safety and building longevity can be conducted effectively.

Some companies are capitalizing on the fact that FAA rules don't apply to indoor drone use, and using these devices for interior inspections of industrial plants, greenhouses, warehouses, and other buildings.

Thermal Imaging Inspections

Thermal imaging is a non-invasive infrared (IR) technology that has been around for decades, but now sophisticated handheld devices are readily available to assist facility technicians and maintenance workers in inspecting and troubleshooting building assets.

The technology works by picking up differences in temperature with the use of mid- or long-range IR waves and creating a visual heat map of the object it is pointed at. (This is different from IR imaging or night-vision cameras that use short-range infrared waves.) By measuring temperature variations, and showing results on the monitor, thermal imaging devices identify hot spots that can indicate overheating components, or cooler areas that may signal energy loss or water intrusion.

With handheld thermal imaging tools, technicians can simply point the device toward an asset—such as an HVAC system—to identify potential overheating. Directed at a building’s doorways, windows, or refrigeration entrances, the imaging tools can reveal insulation weak spots. Thermal imaging can even produce results in poorly lit areas, making it ideal for building diagnostics and commercial building inspection.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages?

Speed -Thermal imaging is a great timesaving tool that can quickly identify problems not visible to the human eye.

Convenience – The technology can be used without operation disruptions and does not need direct contact with the asset, creating safer conditions around electrical inspections.

Humans Needed – On the downside, it’s important to remember that it is only a tool, and still requires expertise from engineers or trained professionals for the best results.

Beyond handheld devices, thermal imaging can be even more effective when combined with another technology that’s rapidly gaining interest in commercial building inspection—aerial drones.

Commercial Building Inspection from the Top Down

Love them or hate them, drones—also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)—are becoming increasingly useful as tools for commercial building inspection, due to their ability to access upper floors, rooftops, and other hard-to-reach places.

Now, the integration of AI software has resulted in smarter drones with expanded data collection and analytic capabilities. These newer drones can also handle larger payloads, enabling them to carry more equipment. And they can be equipped with thermal imaging systems, 4K aerial cameras, sensors such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging, for use in surveying), and even robotic claws.

These capabilities are changing the nature of commercial building inspection. Equipped with thermal imaging, a drone can quickly scan a building’s facade and get up close to a suspected leak, for example, and take a picture at the optimal angle to provide a clear and unobstructed view of the problem area—something that is often difficult or hazardous for technicians to do from the ground, or even from a platform or window of the building.

Other tasks—such as conducting roof inspections to identify inadequate insulation, unwanted moisture, and structural damage—can all be done in minutes using drones. Areas such as parking lots and pools can be surveyed while simultaneously collecting and capturing data and images in real time.

But as with most technology, there are pros and cons.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages?

Safer – The power of accessibility that a drone brings to inspections eliminates many safety hazards. It saves technicians from climbing on to roofs using ladders or platforms, for example. Even single-story buildings can have different roof slopes, angles, and surfaces that create a hazardous terrain for technicians using binoculars and a camera, making drones a useful tool even for smaller facilities.

Speedier – The speed at which a drone can access a site and deliver information saves time and money. Using a drone, capturing images and analyzing them can take as little as a day, compared to weeks with traditional, human-only visual inspections.

Smarter – Enhanced with AI image processing capabilities, drones can provide real-time monitoring, analyze safety risks, and offer insights that can aid decision-making in determining budget or resource allocation.

The drone space is constantly changing, and with that will come improvements, but there are a few downsides to consider.

Expense – Hobby drones may be inexpensive, but the type of drones needed for commercial building inspection are not in the same league and do not come cheap. Add to that the cost of operator training, and taking on a drone program may be outside of many facility budgets.

Privacy – Most drones are manufactured in China, which may raise concerns about data privacy—and for good reason. It’s estimated that 80 percent of the commercial drones sold in the U.S. are made by Chinese companies. And some of the largest of these companies have been funded by the Chinese government—meaning that sensitive data on U.S. infrastructure may be making its way to Beijing.

This threat is being taken seriously by the U.S. government. In February 2024, the American Security Drone Act was signed into law, banning the federal government from buying Chinese or other foreign-made drones. Some experts argue that the business community would be wise to do the same.

Regulations and Restrictions – Commercial drones are considered aircraft and fall under the jurisdiction of the FAA. This means that businesses using drones for commercial building inspection must hire trained pilots that hold an FAA license and commit to abiding by the FAA’s rules on drone use.

The use of drones indoors is an exception to the above rule, however, and some companies are capitalizing on this fact. Many businesses have found drones to be valuable tools for interior inspections in industrial plants, greenhouses, or warehouses. Drones can also aid in managing inventory, monitoring hazardous chemical areas, and even responding to medical emergencies.

But what if you want to use a drone for exterior inspections, and don’t want to hire a professional pilot? In that case, consider using a drone service to conduct inspections. Drones-as-a-Service (DaaS) providers offer turnkey services that include trained pilots, drones, ancillary equipment, and software to do the job you need. Of course, as with any service, be sure to thoroughly vet your DaaS provider, and be clear about liability and data privacy protections.

Indoors or outdoors, as a service or in-house, it’s worth bearing in mind that the lack of privacy and other regulations regarding the use of drones and AI leaves the door wide open for facility managers’ liability. So do your research, and proceed cautiously when using this technology for inspections.

Scoping Out Tight Spaces

While drones can fly into some difficult-to-reach spots, there are some spaces that are just too tight for even the smallest craft. In those cases, a different tool is needed.

Referred to as borescopes, endoscopes, video scopes or just “scopes,” these inspection devices, just like their medical cousins, are ideal for getting into narrow and difficult-to-access spaces. These devices have come a long way since the borescope was introduced in the 1960s, and are now an important tool in commercial building inspection.

A scope consists of a long, flexible probe or rod that has a lens at one end and attaches to a handheld device or monitor at the other. (Technically, an endoscope has a flexible tube attachment, whereas a borescope can have a rigid or flexible attachment.)

The attachment probe can be pushed inside small and compact spaces. Technicians can then steer and control the direction and angle of the probe, allowing the tool to maneuver through tight and complex spots. With adjustable LED lights for better vision in dark areas, together with miniature, high-definition (HD) cameras, detailed visuals of the interior space can be seen on the monitor, allowing for a comprehensive inspection.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages?

Flexibility – The ability to get visuals inside a wall cavity or conduits, to assess integrity and wiring reliability, to inspect ductwork, or identify the origins of piping or electrical issues without having to dismantle or tear down walls make the scope invaluable as a non-destructive inspection tool.

AI Provides Consistency – As with other tools, AI is being integrated into the various inspection scopes. The aircraft industry is already using borescopes that utilize AI algorithms for automated defect detection and analysis. AI-powered software can detect anomalies, such as cracks or corrosion, enabling objective assessment and consistent evaluation.

Handle with Care

Borescopes can be prone to damage if handled incorrectly inside metal pipes or across rough surfaces, so it’s important to use the device cautiously in these situations. And as with any technical device, a scope provides the greatest advantage when in the hands of an experienced technician.

Robotic Ground Inspections

When the space being inspected doesn’t warrant a tiny scope but is still too small or hazardous for humans, there are inspection robots. Referred to as bots, rovers, or unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) these tools offer a safer and more efficient option than manual inspection.

UGVs for commercial building inspection vary in type, function, and autonomy. For tasks such as inspecting HVAC ducts or entering crawl spaces under buildings, small 4-wheel drive or tracked (tank-like) vehicles (usually around 12–14 inches in length) are typically used for the job.

These rovers can be controlled remotely and run on batteries for several hours. They efficiently capture photos and video and are capable of zero degree turns—a big plus in tight spaces.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages?

Efficiency – Rover robots can travel through HVAC ducts faster than a human worker. They don’t get tired and can continue working without getting distracted.

Safety – Rovers can be sent into hazardous areas (where there may be unstable construction or toxic chemicals) and either survey the area before workers enter or take photos of damaged structures and other risks.

Limited Tasks – Currently most robots are designed for a particular monitoring or inspection task; not all types of inspection can be performed by the same robot. But that may be changing. Researchers and manufacturers are aware of this issue, and are developing multi-ability learning robots that can turn their hands (or wheels) to many tasks.

A Maintenance Partner You Can Rely On

Are you looking for a forward-thinking, tech-savvy partner for building inspections and maintenance? PRIDE Industries has been providing facilities services for over 35 years and continues to bring innovation and expertise to customers across multiple industries.

Learn More

For facilities management, the switch from clipboards and paper to smartphones and tablets represents a huge leap forward in productivity. And an important player in this move to remote technology is mobile CMMS (computerized maintenance management system).

The primary advantages of a mobile CMMS are its flexibility and its centralized collection of information. Mobile CMMS provides a picture of operational data that can be viewed simultaneously by managers in the office and technicians in the field. This cloud- and device-based technology also allows updates in real time from any area in a facility, keeping everyone informed. And because it can be accessed through an integrated platform—allowing communication with other facility data and software—this mobile technology can be a game-changer, creating faster ROI by reducing downtime and increasing productivity.

It’s no secret that maintenance management software tools have been pivotal in increasing work order efficiency. Now, by extending data capture and management capabilities, mobile CMMS is providing facilities managers with an even more powerful tool for optimizing facility operations and maintenance.

Mobile CMMS provides a picture of operational data that can be viewed simultaneously by managers in the office and technicians in the field.

What Is Mobile CMMS?

CMMS is software designed to streamline and automate workflow and maintenance tasks. It focuses on MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) for physical assets and equipment, including the oversight of an organization’s asset maintenance activities, scheduling, and ongoing expenses after installation.

Mobile CMMS is a mobile field app, which means that it allows technicians to carry all the capabilities of desktop facilities management software with them into the field. The app equips field technicians with on-the-spot access to AI-powered tools and human-based assistance, enabling them to solve even the toughest of issues. It also makes work order progress and other critical information available for viewing in real time by managers in the office.

A robust mobile CMMS platform allows field technicians to input job status and other updates at any time and from anywhere using wi-fi or cellular connections. And if the connection is lost, the data is stored for upload as soon as connectivity is reestablished. Likewise, because the app also functions as a repository for essential information, field technicians always have access to critical data, even in the event of a network interruption. In this way, facilities personnel are always able to continue working, even during times of intermittent connectivity.

Efficient and Time-Saving Work Order Management

There are several ways that mobile CMMS can boost maintenance efficiency and allow facilities managers to follow maintenance best practices. One way is by giving facilities managers better control over scheduling and operations.

A Central Location for Work Orders

Mobile CMMS provides a centralized dashboard for creating, assigning, and tracking work orders. With accessible and easy-to-navigate work details available at the touch of a screen, supervisors can track work assignments from the office, and technicians in the field can see exactly what they need to work on next. Additionally, incoming requests for service can be automatically converted to work orders, streamlining maintenance management and optimizing operations.

Optimizing Schedules with Automated Work Orders

A robust mobile CMMS allows facilities managers to customize and automate processes to suit their needs, based on their facility’s unique features and management priorities. Maintenance schedules and work routing rules, for example, can be generated and relayed automatically to technicians, freeing up managers and supervisors to work on other tasks.

When an engineer or maintenance worker accesses or logs into the system, their assigned work is automatically displayed with touchpoints or stages lined up. Workflows can consist of as many or as few stages as each facility deems necessary. As an example, a work order process might look like this:

— Start Work
— Submit Labor
— Submit Work Log
— Submit Status
— Submit Inspection Results
— Submit Follow-up Work Requests
— Submit New Service Requests
— Submit Work Status Complete

Assigned work can be displayed in order of priority and progress can be easily checked as work proceeds, so that technicians spend less time on administrative tasks and are able to focus more on vital maintenance activities.

Scheduling Flexibility and Efficient Prioritizing

Instant and real-time access to work orders eliminates delays and bottlenecks in the maintenance process. Without the need to wait for prioritization decisions, work can continue uninterrupted, with job progress tracked and recorded on the asset’s history profile.

Real-time access also allows quicker response times to urgent matters. Emergencies can be dealt with promptly, preventing costly downtime due to equipment breakdowns or malfunctions. Because a mobile CMMS enables managers to see where technicians are located within the facility and what they are currently working on, it’s easy to determine which technician(s) to direct to an asset that needs urgent attention.

Once alerted, the maintenance worker can then retrieve the required service details on their device, including comprehensive information about the equipment malfunction. And because the asset’s location is provided through the app’s mapping features (for both indoor and outdoor locations), the technician knows exactly where to go, so that no time is wasted trying to locate the malfunctioning equipment.

Cost-Saving Maintenance Operations

Beyond scheduling features that streamline maintenance tasks, mobile CMMS contains tools that aid in lowering costs and improving productivity. These additional features can include:

Predictive Maintenance

Predicting maintenance and averting equipment failure is a cost-saver in any organization. With AI-enabled mobile CMMS, facility professionals can manage and utilize real-time data to create health and risk scores for facility equipment. Data such as unplanned downtime, mean time between failures, or failure rate by manufacturer can be compiled to identify problems and reduce downtime.

Centralized and presented in easy-to-view charts and scores, these insights can inform the technician in the field, automatically trigger preventive maintenance systems, and be viewed by reliability engineers whose job it is to monitor asset lifecycles. Together these data-driven insights can anticipate maintenance needs and potential problems, in addition to optimizing asset performance and extending equipment lifespan.

Cost-Saving Monitoring

With powerful analytics, mobile CMMS can also monitor KPIs (key performance indicators) related to work order management, maintenance costs, and time to repair. Managers can set up customizable dashboards to immediately view current and historical trends and perform analyses to enable continuous improvement, optimize budgets, and enable informed decisions—all of which help keep costs in check.

Recordkeeping for Compliance and Accuracy

Accurate recordkeeping is not only vital for providing insights on performance and for predicting equipment lifespan, it’s also necessary in order to meet industry regulations. Mobile CMMS makes it easier to comply with regulatory standards by ensuring accurate recordkeeping and automating documentation.

With mobile CMMS, all the information gathered by technicians in the course of their work is compiled as it’s entered into their mobile devices, providing up-to-date access to technical and HSE (health, safety, environmental) information. A robust mobile CMMS can then use this information to automatically generate reports that meet compliance requirements.

Making Technicians and Engineers More Productive

It’s an unfortunate fact that just as more facility managers and engineers are retiring, buildings are becoming more complex. According to studies using data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), the average facility manager is over 50 years old, and experts predict that approximately 60 percent of experienced facility staff will be retiring within the next seven years. Businesses are now facing a potential shortfall of qualified facility professionals.

By streamlining operations and centralizing information, mobile CMMS can mitigate this looming loss of knowledge and experience. With detailed information available through a handheld device, new and less experienced technicians can easily navigate maintenance complexities, enabling them to handle increasingly complicated and digitally dependent operations. By generating reports and making analyses created by more veteran engineers easy to access, mobile CMMS can be the expert looking over the shoulder of less experienced technicians, providing know-how that previously took years to acquire.

Information such as previous work records, diagrams of equipment (annotated with notes from experienced engineers) can make it easier to identify parts and devise fixes. And if human assistance is needed, the CMMS app enables technicians and engineers to collaborate remotely via phone or tablet. This empowers technicians to make more informed decisions and prioritize tasks, and allows organizations to exponentially leverage their engineers’ knowledge and skills.

Get the Most Out of Your Mobile CMMS

As with all data-dependent software, mobile CMMS comes with one caveat: You get out what you put in. The best results will always be gained when operators and staff have extensive knowledge of the software’s capabilities and functions. Users should also receive training at regular intervals, as mobile CMMS apps are upgraded frequently.

Anytime, Anywhere Facilities Management

Businesses are facing two difficult trends. Buildings are becoming increasingly complex to maintain, and experienced facilities managers are about to enter a retirement wave. But not all the news is bad. Mobile CMMS can help businesses deal with both these trends by making it easy to gather and analyze data from the field, and by helping less experienced technicians benefit from the wisdom of more experienced ones—even when the two are miles apart.

A Facilities Management Partner You Can Rely On

Could you use a tech-savvy and budget-conscious partner for your organization’s facilities? PRIDE Industries has over 35 years of experience in operations and maintenance. No matter what the size of your facility, we can help you make the most of your existing assets.

Learn More

In the array of daily tasks and skills required to ensure facility operations are streamlined, building energy management looms large. Energy is vital for a building’s ongoing security and asset operation, and poor or excessive energy use comes at a monetary and environmental cost.

Effective management of an organization’s energy also impacts tenant and market perceptions of a brand and its building operations. In fact, studies by ENERGY STAR have shown that when compared to typical buildings, energy-efficient buildings have a resale value that’s up to 31 percent higher and deliver rental premiums that are up to 16 percent higher.

Not only that, according to a 2024 joint report issued by PwC and the World Economic Forum (WEF), if organizations implement energy-saving measures (such as using AI to control existing lighting and HVAC systems) by the end of this decade, it’s possible to achieve up to a 31 percent reduction in global energy consumption. This reduction could result in annual savings of $2 trillion at current energy prices.

These numbers illustrate that energy-efficient improvements in processes and equipment can decrease energy intensity (the amount of energy used per unit of gross domestic product) by enabling over-utilized or wasted energy to be funneled into more productive activities. Using building energy management to facilitate the capture of wasted energy for productive use not only boosts economic growth but also saves money, strengthens competitiveness, and reduces carbon emissions.

Studies by ENERGY STAR have shown that when compared to typical buildings, energy-efficient buildings have a resale value that’s up to 31 percent higher and deliver rental premiums that are up to 16 percent higher.

So, what are the best ways to keep on top of building energy management? We take a look at this crucial area to see how you can start taking steps this year to optimize energy management in your building.

Building Energy Management: Modifications and Maintenance

Modifications that optimize building energy management range from moderate operations and maintenance changes that require little or no cost to large capital expenditures like replacing equipment.

Although it’s true that large energy savings can be gained from projects that require an upfront investment—such as replacing an HVAC system—small adjustments can also save energy, and a lot of small changes can add up to significant cost savings with minimal effort. To get you started, here is a list of energy-saving modifications and maintenance strategies that don’t require a huge dollar investment.

Lighting

Optimize daylight. Relying on daylight instead of electric lights can reduce costs by 10 to 40 percent, so make the best use of natural light by opening and closing blinds strategically.
Replacing fluorescent and incandescent lighting with LEDs can reduce energy consumption by up to 90 percent. And since LEDs last up to 50 times longer than conventional lightbulbs, you’ll also save on labor costs. Keep in mind that parking lot lamps and exit signs can also use LEDs.
Look at areas with low traffic use and install occupancy sensors. This can save between 15 to 30 percent in lighting costs. And make sure that light sources aren’t blocked by drapes, bookcases, etc.
Consider changing custodial schedules to reduce the hours per day that lights are turned on. In other words, consider having cleaning staff work during the day. Some facilities have found that cleaning a building during a time when occupants are in the building can actually help reduce tenant complaints—perhaps because tenants are more aware of the work being performed.

Maintenance and Repair

Conduct a visual inspection of equipment insulation, ductwork, and piping, looking for tears, stains, etc. Repairing these will increase energy efficiency.
Check that vents are not blocked by furniture or other items. Efficiency can be reduced by as much as 25 percent when air vents are covered.
Ensure HVAC filters are changed regularly. When filters are dirty, the system must work harder, lowering indoor air quality and costing more to operate.
For a more efficient HVAC, install variable frequency drives (VFDs). VFDs allow better flow control, so the system doesn’t run at full throttle when it’s not needed.
Adjust building automation system (BAS) controls to automatically reduce the thermostat setting for times when the building isn’t occupied.
Take advantage of your facility’s energy management systems (EMS) by ensuring staff are fully trained in all control capabilities. If the system is only used to turn equipment on and off or for time-of-day control, you may be missing out on energy-saving strategies.
Regular HVAC check-ups are essential. An annual maintenance contract should include pre-season tune-ups, which will make the system more efficient and prolong its life.
Keep refrigerator condenser coils clean and maintain an air gap of at least three inches between the wall and the back of office refrigerators or water coolers.
Perform an afterhours/nighttime audit to find out which equipment is using energy unnecessarily. Then update the sleep settings on all office equipment to ensure that they automatically go into low-power mode when not in use.
Revisit equipment sequencing to optimize start-up and power-down times.

Consider Commissioning

Commissioning your commercial buildings is like tuning up your car. In the ordinary course of operations, building systems naturally “drift” from their optimal settings over time. Commissioning makes sure these systems—many of which impact energy costs—are running the way they should be.

Whether you conduct a retro-commission (for buildings that have never been commissioned) or a re-commission (if it’s been more than three to five years since the last commissioning), “tuning up” your facilities can yield substantial energy savings.

Measure Consumption

If you’re unsure which modifications to make and want to take a systematic and customized approach to saving energy in your facility, then an energy audit is a good way to start. A whole building energy audit can range from a walk-through assessment to an in-depth report that will include vendor quotes for large projects. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers) has three levels of energy audits set out in their Standard 211:

Level 1 – This level is comprised of a walk-through that looks at the building envelope, HVAC, lighting, and water infrastructure. It also includes a utility bill analysis to understand historical energy consumption patterns. This level is a good initial assessment for small to medium-sized buildings, or if you have budget constraints. The audit typically results in a brief report that identifies energy-efficiency measures (EEMs), many of which will likely fall in the low- to no-cost category.

Level 2 – With a Level 2 energy audit, auditors spend more time on site, speaking with facility staff and conducting a thorough building survey. This audit involves a detailed analysis of energy systems, historical data, and visual observations. The resulting audit report summarizes current energy consumption and costs and provides an analysis of recommended EEMs, including implementation costs, expected savings, and payback periods.

Level 3 – This type of analysis builds on the Level 2 energy audit and focuses on the feasibility of large capital-intensive projects that will save energy. The report provides engineering recommendations based on computer modeling, and includes a financial analysis (including lifecycle cost analysis and return on investment (ROI) calculations) of the benefits and risks associated with installing and maintaining energy-saving upgrades, such as new equipment.

ASHRAE audits take a “whole building” approach, but there are instances where you may have a more focused need—such as when an HVAC system is getting old and inefficient. In this case a targeted audit will reveal the best time to replace the system and how long it will take for the investment to pay off.

Alternatively, it’s possible to conduct an in-house energy audit. Keep in mind, however, that performing your own audit will require a detailed plan that clearly defines what data is needed, and a collaborative effort among employees to collect it.

If you choose to conduct an in-house energy assessment, consider using energy modeling tools such as those provided by the EPA’s ENERGY STAR. These tools will enable you to set and measure building energy targets in an apples-to-apples comparison against existing buildings from a national database. And if your city or state already requires energy benchmark reporting for your facility, you have a head start on your information gathering efforts.

Ongoing Monitoring and Building Energy Management Through Technology

Smart use of IoT and AI is the future of energy optimization in commercial facilities. Upgrading to AI-driven, smart equipment can increase energy efficiency by 30 percent, resulting in a payback period of fewer than 15 years, according to the PwC and WEF 2024 report.

A significant advantage of IoT in building energy management is its ability to continuously monitor systems and equipment, eliminating the need for a human to do physical checks. But to reap the benefits of smart systems, you’ll need to first choose the technology that’s right for your facility and invest in staff training to get the most from your system. Most importantly, you should understand what these new technologies can and can’t deliver.

How do IoT and AI tools work to improve building energy management?

Connectivity: Through an infrastructure of information gathered by connected equipment, devices, and systems, IoT allows communication and information sharing in real time.
System Control: By using sensors and actuators (the components responsible for adjusting system parameters), IoT delivers more precise control of energy use.
Analysis: With AI, vast amounts of data can be analyzed, providing valuable insights that allow for informed energy-saving decisions to be made.

How do IoT and AI enhance building energy management?

Recognition of Energy Patterns: IoT platforms can identify when and how energy is used within a building. This information allows facilities managers to implement cost-reduction strategies, such as curbing energy consumption at peak times to avoid paying higher rates for electricity.
Occupant Activity Analysis: Understanding the behavior patterns, activity levels, and comfort preferences of occupants is crucial for optimizing energy efficiency. IoT can track and analyze occupants’ behavior, enabling tailored energy-saving measures.
Weather Data: Weather conditions directly impact energy usage, particularly with HVAC systems. IoT platforms can collect, analyze, and correlate weather data with other building information (such as occupancy levels) and adjust energy management strategies based on weather forecasts.
Total Energy Consumption: IoT technology can track the total energy consumption of a facility’s systems and equipment—for both systems that operate continuously and intermittently used assets—providing a clear picture of overall energy usage and the role of individual devices.

Using IoT and AI technology allows real-time data updates from sensors and fast action from actuators to provide occupants with the same level of comfort while using less energy.

Investing in Energy Efficiency Pays Off

Studies like the PwC/WEF analysis show that optimizing energy management translates to lower operating costs, increased tenant satisfaction, and a smaller carbon footprint. Taking the steps to measure, modify, and monitor your facility’s energy use will lower energy consumption, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Good building energy management requires an in-depth analysis of your facility’s unique characteristics and energy consumption patterns, as well as a customized plan to optimize energy use.

Fortunately, even small changes can yield savings. Every step counts, from simple interventions to building retrofits. Whether it’s optimizing airflow and daylight by rearranging furniture, or investing in sophisticated IoT and AI systems, improving energy efficiency is a win-win for your business and the planet.

An Energy-Saving Partner

PRIDE Industries has over 35 years of experience in facility management, energy systems maintenance, engineering services, and preventive and predictive maintenance. We can help you optimize your facility’s systems, lowering energy and other costs while maximizing operations and occupant comfort.

Learn More