Overview

To be ahead of the global energy crisis I have put together this rescue pack to support organisations in this time of need.

This program is a zero-cost management program that could save you in the region of a 5-7% (or more) saving on your Gas, Electricity and Water bills on a monthly basis. I have proved this. I was engaged on a very large Leisure Group project to help them drive down their energy and we were achieving a 7% year on year saving to their bottom line.

I will be honest, it didn’t happen overnight and we were learning as we went, but as every property was visited, we were finding more and more individual initiatives that were then implemented at group level. I must also state it was important that 100% of the properties had to be assessed.

A Utility Best Practice manual was written and shared to all key staff members, but more importantly when ‘new’ staff joined they were issued with this as part of their initiation course and it formed part of the Employee Handbook.

What drives this ‘Rescue pack’ ?

Communications and Data drives this and when combined in the right measures the balance will deliver the savings as it makes the team accountable. In most cases, when you are looking at groups or individual properties, monitoring your utilities on a daily basis makes a big impact. In some cases that is all you need to do and that is to provide staff with a graph as to what their utility consumption is doing, (just watch it start to trend down).

Where to start?

Our recommendation where to start would be easy:

• Develop a team that covers off all areas,
• DirectorOperations
• Maintenance
• Catering
• Cleaning
• Security
• Reception
• The team need to meet monthly, set targets and develop a plan.
• Market and communicate that this team is in place.
• The team need to do quarterly reviews themselves with a documented report. Try to get the team to work together.
• Audit the process monthly and have the maintenance team carry out a full monthly walk round.

By following this guide, you could experience savings between 5 -7% overnight and year on year.

Areas to focus your ‘Rescue Pack’ – Energy Management

• Opening of the premises in line with the property opening for business or staff arriving – there are many times I have arrived 2 hours before opening and the property is in full operation.
• Closing of the premises in line with the property closing after there is a close of business – the same as number 1, but at the end of the day.
• Areas not being used in the building especially Meeting Rooms or Function Rooms. Try and keep these shut down when not in use.
• Kitchen and Catering areas are always good areas to focus on what I would call, ‘Bad Practices’
• Gas Rings on when not in use – this is instant heat and does not need to be left on when not in use.
• Ovens on when not in use.
• Grills on full when not in use – this could be put into ‘half load’.
• Dripping taps.
• Walk-in Fridges left open.
• Fridges empty but left on – especially in satellite kitchens.
• Storeroom lighting left on.External lighting operation.
• Airconditioning set points not set within efficient parameters. Try and develop a brand standard.
• Time Clocks and Building Management System settings ensure right times and correct settings based on points 1 and 2.
• Plant Room ReviewsEnsure there are no leaks
• Make sure plant not in override (running 24/7)
• Ensure lagging is all in place
• Ensure all plant is maintained and is working efficiently
• Maintenance team to complete a daily check in this area and report any issues

Areas to focus your ‘Rescue Pack’ – Billing

Energy Billing is a zero-cost management program that could result in the region of a 10-15% saving on your gas, electricity and water bills each month.

Over the years we have proved this, and we have been engaged with many small and large businesses helping them to drive down their energy costs. We have seen huge savings as a result of businesses adhering to this program and initiating the steps.

The below areas enable us to focus on billing and enable organisations to take control of their energy costs

• Correct contract – review existing contract and understand when this needs to be reviewed (engage an expert here)
• Ensure no estimation and all consumption values are ‘Actual’
• Complete monthly meter reads and set-up a simple report to manage
• Sign off process, to ensure all bills are accurate

Conclusion

Over my many years of experience I have been asked to support an organisation when energy costs have raised to levels which create pain on organisations. We once were asked to drive down the gas consumption for an organisation that had been poorly sold gas. We deployed technologies which then secured significant savings.

To begin this strategy, we must be aware that both the purchasing of energy and the management of energy has to become one. You cannot manage the purchasing of energy to not let it be controlled and at the same time you cannot control the energy without it not being purchased correctly and strategically.

Energy is your third largest expense after buildings and property, so for me it is important that we apply focus on this cost in proportions.

Good Luck