Rising costs are affecting everyone. From the general consumer in a supermarket to the largest organisations in the world, most are looking for opportunities to cut costs and better optimise their finances during a time of increased uncertainty.
For those who manage estates such as schools, colleges, healthcare buildings or large office blocks, these increased costs will be making a huge difference to their monthly budgets. Sure, some extra costs may be able to be absorbed for a while – but eventually, businesses will have to start considering how they can beat the costs, and protect themselves from further increases in the future.
This article walks you through the most effective ways estate managers can optimise their building services for more efficient operations and reduce operational costs in the process.
As an estate manager, your plant and equipment is integral to successful management of your portfolio. If efficiency is what you need – it first pays to assess and analyse what you’re currently working with, and where it could be improved.
Let’s put that into context. We are located near the Southampton waterfront. As a result, buildings in the waterfront area are exposed to weather systems and conditions that impact on the fabric of the buildings and externally located plant and equipment.
If you made a decision during the construction of a new building in this location to locate plant and equipment on the building’s roof, where it’s exposed to the weather and the impact of being close to seawater, you should also consider how that will impact the lifecycle of your investment. You may be faced with “Hobsons Choice” of buying more expensive plant and equipment that can withstand the local conditions, or saving money now but facing the prospect of needing to replace plant and equipment more frequently.
Working with an experienced M&E design team can help you assess the various lifecycle costs of these options, in order for you to make sustainable decisions.
That recurring problem that you’ve been avoiding fully resolving due to budgets? That heating or cooling headache that everyone complains about but there’s no funding to fix it?
They could be costing you more in the long run.
Our team creates bespoke solutions that help estates save energy and increase efficiency.
For example, instead of having an overloaded and unreliable boiler that frequently breaks down (racking up emergency repair bills), we often recommend our clients opt for multiple boilers installed that run at 50% capacity. In practice, this can offer large buildings 150% (i.e. 2 running and one on standby) of the heat and hot water they need without overloading a boiler and risking damage. This also provides a backup solution in the event of a breakdown.
What’s more, this approach to your M&E design future proofs you if the building is extended at a later date.
One of the most effective ways to reduce your reliance on energy is by harnessing your own supply. But before a business undertakes any efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon output, their site(s) will need to be assessed by a certified low carbon consultant.
A low carbon consultant will make suggestions for your decarbonisation plan, ensuring your site(s) have sufficient capacity to install new technology. For example, a significant number of sites may need to increase their mains electrical supply in order to deal with the additional load the installation of air source heat pumps demands.
Alongside working with a team like Demiurgic Consulting Engineers, you’ll need to consult your utility supplier to analyse the potential of your supply system and how it can be increased in the future. This can be a complex and time-consuming process that our experienced building services engineers may be able to assist you with.
A robust, tailored mechanical and electrical strategy is essential to navigating a volatile market, and helping businesses achieve decarbonisation targets.
Demiurgic Consulting Engineers has a team of electrical and mechanical engineers who work with estate managers to increase efficiency, reduce costs and futureproof estates.
Talk to our team now to find out how we can help you.
Book a complimentary initial consultation with one of our building services engineers and find out how we can be a key member of your design team, adding value to your project by delivering innovative, value-for-money solutions.
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