Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operating Efficiency Peter H. Herzog, Partner Herzog/Wheeler & Associates St. Paul, MN

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Three Components of Energy Management

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Goal of Energy- Efficient Operation To ensure that each significant energy- consuming device uses only as much energy as necessary to perform its intended function.

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 1 Guilt for Not Already Doing the Work DO NOT define goals or tasks in terms that imply it is work that facilities staff should presently be doing. E.g., “Better Operation and Maintenance of Air Handlers” “Building Tune-Up” “Eliminate Energy Waste”

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 1 Guilt for Not Already Doing the Work DO define goals and tasks in terms that are outside of expected practices. E.g.,“The goal is to verify, through detailed measurement and analysis, that Air Handlers meet current minimum outside air standards for the occupancy they presently serve.”

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 1 Guilt for Not Already Doing the Work ASK: * Do you think that your supervisor believes this work is presently being done? * Do you feel that you should already be doing this?

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 2 Fear that Attempts to Save Energy Will Cause Operational Problems DO NOT assume staff will willingly embrace changes to long-standing operational practices. DO define energy-efficient operation as “using only as much energy as necessary to perform the intended function”. ASK: *Have previous attempts to save energy resulted in comfort complaints or maintenance problems?

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 3 Skepticism About Savings Potential DO NOT assume staff believes that there is ACHIEVIBLE operational savings potential DO define work as a process of helping staff verify operating efficiency. Keep focus on operations as opposed to upgrades and retrofits Solicit information on barriers to energy- efficient operation ASK: *Do you think any equipment is operating inefficiently? What would it take to improve it?

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 4 Understanding DO NOT expect staff to take on tasks that they do not adequately understand DO define instruction and skill- building as a part of commissioning services ASK: * What information or training do you need to feel confident you can sustain energy-efficient operation?

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 4 Measurement Method 7-Day Average Amps AHU #2 Low Mean HighRangeUnits Amps

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 4 Cost Calculating Aid

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 5 Accountability DO NOT assume facilities staff presently have accountability for energy-efficient operation. DO assist facilities staff in defining accountability at each level of supervision. ASK: * Is your supervisor committed to this work? * Do you and your supervisor have the same understanding of the goals and tasks? * Is your supervisor sufficiently informed to supervise your work in this area? * Do you have a vehicle to report the completion and value of this work to your supervisor?

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 5 Accountability Aid

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Issue No. 6 Time DO NOT assume that facilities staff will take on this work without additional man-hours. DO ask facilities management to create a plan for making time available. ASK: * Which of your present duties will be performed by others to allow you time for this work? * Do you have the support of your co- workers for you to do this work?

Motivating Facilities Staff Towards Improved Operational Efficiency Summary To motivate staff towards improved operating efficiency: Provide a clear process Address fears of operators Address skepticism and barriers Offer training Require accountability Insist upon adequate time