Steps to carbon reduction

• Optimise equipment performance

Regular maintenance of building systems and equipment helps reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.

Well-maintained equipment operates at peak efficiency, using less energy to perform tasks. Routine inspections allow for early detection and resolution of issues before they lead to breakdowns and faults. Planned preventive maintenance such as general cleaning, calibration or the lubrication of parts can help equipment reduce its energy consumption. Carrying out regular maintenance of an asset will increase its performance by rectifying any problems that may be present at the time of the visit, such as dirty filters on ventilation systems that will reduce air flow. Equipment can then be updated over time with more energy-efficient solutions.

A study by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) also reported that planned preventive maintenance can result in savings of as much as 18 per cent over a reactive maintenance programme.*

• Implement energy-efficient maintenance practices

To lower energy consumption and emissions, building managers can look at numerous strategies. For example, the use of low-energy lighting such as LED lamps, or occupancy sensors offer a quick and easy reduction in energy and can be retrofitted into existing installations. This can be implemented during regular maintenance. This will substantially reduce the carbon footprint over time.

• Embrace the circular economy

The circular economy is a resource management strategy focused on minimising waste and promoting asset sustainability by extending the lifespan of products and materials used in building maintenance. Unlike the traditional linear economy, which follows a ‘take-make-dispose’ model, the circular economy aims to establish a system where assets, resources and materials are continuously reused, repaired, and recycled. In building maintenance, applying circular economy principles can reduce carbon emissions by cutting waste and conserving resources while encouraging sustainable practices. Planned preventative maintenance plays a crucial role in this approach by maintaining the equipment to current standards, which allows easy updates and improvements over a period of time, helping to reduce costly breakdowns and the need for full asset replacement. This, as a result, reduces a building’s carbon emissions.

Using sustainable materials, as part of planned preventative maintenance, is another strategy to help control carbon emissions. This is through the use of recycled, reclaimed, or locally sourced materials. Durable materials extend lifespans, reducing the need for frequent replacements, while recyclable or repurposable materials minimise waste. Additionally, using renewable and low-carbon materials like cross-laminated timber (CLT) or recycled steel further lowers the carbon footprint.

• Implementing smart technologies

The implementation of smart technologies can prove useful in tackling carbon emissions by significantly enhancing energy efficiency and system performance within buildings. Through real-time monitoring and automation, these solutions can optimise energy usage by automatically adjusting HVAC and lighting systems based on factors like time, occupancy and environmental conditions. These technologies can also play a role in predictive maintenance. Equipment that incorporates smart sensors will help detect issues, ensuring systems run at peak performance and efficiency. The integration of smart sensors and equipment will work alongside planned preventive maintenance strategies to help reduce system downtime through faults and breakdowns.

Additionally, smart technologies provide detailed, data-driven insights that help building managers identify inefficiencies, energy leaks, or high-energy usage areas. These insights can help target maintenance to specific equipment, exposing areas of high energy consumption within a building. The ability to manage and control building assets remotely further enhances efficiency by allowing facility managers to make real-time adjustments, ensuring optimal performance, even when not on-site.

Finally, smart technologies support the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, battery storage or solar water heating systems, integrating them into the building management system. Technology can be used to maximise the use of clean energy and renewable sources, further cutting down on carbon emissions.

The diverse planned preventative maintenance strategies detailed above are effective tools in tackling carbon emissions in buildings, by ensuring that facilities operate at optimum efficiency, reducing energy waste and maximising the lifespan of a building’s materials and assets. With a well-founded maintenance strategy, led by planned preventative maintenance, combined with energy-efficient technologies and materials, facility managers can significantly reduce the operational and embodied carbon footprint of their buildings.

FURTHER INFORMATION

* www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/OM_5.pdf