Author: MaintenX

Smart lighting is one of the most efficient ways to reduce your energy consumption. In a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory/U.S. Department of Energy study, researchers found that “lighting has the largest… technical potential for energy savings of any U.S. building end-use” and that “a significant fraction of that potential is believed to lie in lighting system controls.” Here are three types of lighting control your business can implement to capitalize on this energy savings.

• Room-Based Occupancy Sensors

Occupancy sensors have become a go-to solution for reducing energy waste. When positioned properly, occupancy sensors will cut off or dim lights when spaces are unoccupied. These sensors are great for storage areas, copy rooms, break rooms, and even restrooms. Any lighted space that remains empty for two or more hours a day is a great candidate for occupancy sensors. These room-based systems can also be networked, allowing for customizable programming.

• Network-Based Control Systems

With network-based control systems, lighting can be networked and throughout an entire building or system of buildings. This allows a management team to process sensor information, and remotely set lighting for their facilities using software. Lighting networks can be customized in a variety of ways, limited only by the user’s skill level. One might use photo sensors in conjunction with dimmable LED lights to continually adjust light levels in proportion to the natural light available. Programming your network to maintain consistent lighting levels in tandem with the sun conserves energy and money. These systems can operate autonomously, or they can be linked to another building network like HVAC.

• Color Correction and Tuning

LED lights can be programmed to balance room lighting, cooler or warmer depending on the environment and time of day. A full array of colored LED lights can be installed to adjust lighting in any number of ways. Using versatile lights, spaces can be adapted effortlessly for new uses. As a bonus, LEDs bring superior energy efficiency and lifespan.

Lighting control technology has improved significantly over the last ten years, and continues to add new ways to regulate and enhance your lighting usage. Wireless capability, embedded light fixture sensors, and improvements to LED technology have made controlling your lighting network more efficient than ever, and can save you power and money.

Durable floors that preserve their appearance over time are a vital part of any business. By not falling into these five flooring traps, management teams can save money while extending the lifespan of their floors and maintaining their facility’s professional appearance.

 

• Choosing the Wrong Type of Flooring

 

Choosing the wrong flooring for your facilities can create maintenance problems for years to come; proper floor preservation starts before installation. Choosing the best floors for the spaces in your facilities is a matter of safety as well as time and money. For example, soft flooring in high traffic areas will deteriorate quickly, even though it might be quieter. Research your flooring options, then speak to manufacturers and installers to determine the best flooring for your business’s needs.

 

• Not Assessing Lifetime Cost Efficiency

 

Striking a balance between cost efficiency and resilience needs to be part of every flooring decision. While researching flooring, you may be attracted to the initial cost of installing a particular style. Remember, however, that floor maintenance can add significantly to your operating expenses over time. It’s important to think of flooring’s cost over its entire life cycle. Before choosing flooring materials, consider the following: How long will it last? What will it cost to maintain? How much will it cost to prepare and install? How much will it cost to remove when it’s no longer operational?

 

• Lacking Doormats

 

Not using doormats can exacerbate a wide variety of issues for your flooring. Doormats can collect almost ninety percent of dirt, which would otherwise end up on your flooring. A proper doormat should allow for people entering the building to take three to five steps on the mat. Walk-off mats can also help to reduce slipping, as well as floor damage from external debris.

 

• Failing to Follow a Proper Maintenance Schedule

 

Not following a proper cleaning schedule will most certainly decrease your flooring’s useful life. No matter the flooring material, when dirt and debris is not regularly cleared away it will slowly be ground into your floors. Maintenance schedules depend on your type of flooring and level of traffic, but creating a regular cleaning schedule for your facility’s floors is essential to maintaining them.

 

• Not Providing the Proper Tools and Training to your Maintenance Staff

 

Proper tools and training mean improved return on investment when it comes to the life of your floors. Using equipment specifically designed for the type of flooring in your facility will result in a more efficient clean. This will make your floors look better, and keep them from deteriorating. Just as important as using the right equipment is making sure that your employees are properly trained. They should also know what techniques are appropriate for each type of flooring, and how often the procedures should be performed.

Simply avoiding these common mistakes can save you money, time, and hassle, while improving your facility’s look.

Kingspan Group’s push towards net-zero is an excellent example of how companies can cut back on energy use and incorporate more renewable energy. In 2011, Kingspan set a goal to be 100% energy neutral by 2020, and earlier this year they announced that they are firmly on track to meet their goal.

Kingspan is a global leader in high-performance insulation and building materials manufacturer based out of Kingscourt, Ireland. They made the commitment to switch to net zero energy to combat greenhouse gases and inspire other companies to do the same. They noted that “the building sector contributes 30% of annual greenhouse gas emissions globally and accounts for 40% of global energy consumption. Unless more action is taken by Governments and corporations, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) predicts that greenhouse gas emissions will double over the next 20 years.”

In 2016, Kingspan’s renewable energy use reached 57% of its total energy use. To achieve that, the company took a three-pronged approach. First, they made efforts to produce more renewable energy on-site. Through wind, solar, and biomass technology the company now produces 7.6% of the energy it uses. Second, Kingspan has begun purchasing renewable energy from certified sources. By 2016, all their North American locations were operating completely on renewable energy.

Finally, Kingspan Group worked diligently to reduce energy usage overall. Their efficiency measures brought down energy consumption by over 30%, producing a fourfold reduction in carbon intensity levels. These reductions not only helped Kingspan to push past 50% of their goal, it also saved the company money.

The progress made by Kingspan in the six years since announcing its goal shows how proper planning and implementation can help companies cut energy use and greenhouse emissions. Kingspan Group continued to grow during this period, and should serve as an example of success for any company looking to reduce its energy footprint.

 

The Internet of Things is the global network of wirelessly connected devices, from cell phones to smart refrigerators, and the components that enable the connection. We often refer to items connected to the Internet of Things as “smart” because they can control themselves or be programmed remotely. As technology progresses, we’re able to integrate more tools and appliances into the Internet of Things. Why is this important for business infrastructure? Because smart networks can be used to automate your facilities, saving energy, time, and money.

The Internet of Things doesn’t simply mean machine to machine communication; those devices must incorporate data-gathering sensors. For example, a sensor on a bridge could send a signal to cars when the road has iced over, alerting the car to the dangerous road conditions ahead. Facilities already take advantage of this real-time communication between devices, with tools like room-based occupancy sensors which cut off or dim lights when spaces are unused.  

Sensors like that can be used to not only collect but also store and aggregate data that can help inform your systems management. HVAC systems can now use cloud based analytics. Given temperature preferences, the machine evaluates sensor data, sets timed temperature zones, and assess usage. Once the smart thermostat knows your parameters it will maintain itself, saving you time and optimizing your energy use. Smart technology also enables direct access to systems like lighting and HVAC through any internet-connected device, allowing for instant remote control from anywhere.

Automating environmental control systems is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Internet of Things. Soon anything that can be connected, will be. Smart sensors or phone apps will be used as keycards for building entry, for hailing and accessing elevators, and even identifying where employees are during an emergency.

Essentially, the Internet of Things allows infrastructure to control itself, which maximizes efficiency. By collecting and evaluating data, you gain the ability to make decisions based off analytics. Decisions grounded in data are the best ones; let MaintenX help you integrate smart technology into your workplace.

Many business leaders and facility managers are pushing for sustainability. The use of “green,” or environmentally friendly, products and methods play a large role in achieving this. While a business can pursue sustainability in many ways, one oft-overlooked technique is temperature control. It is possible to regulate a building’s temperature in a way that is both environmentally friendly and comfortable for all inside.

A large part of going green is using less energy. Since heating and cooling account for almost half of a building’s energy use, HVAC is a good place to start. You can design a facility to include more natural ventilation, reducing reliance on air conditioning systems and keeping the air fresh. Investing in modern multi-paned windows that insulate always pays off in reduced HVAC costs.

There are some parts of the country and certain seasons where heavy heating or cooling is unavoidable, but even then, green practices can be used to minimize energy consumption. If your facility can generate at least some of its own electricity, with tools like solar panels or wind generators, it will offset power costs. Such methods come with significant startup costs, but if implemented in the right environment they pay for themselves and more.

Temperature control is essential to the comfort and productivity of employees. We at MaintenX have helped companies of all sizes make it less expensive, and we can certainly help you do the same. Contact us anytime to learn about how we can help your facility become more efficient and sustainable.

Cleaning is a vital part of building maintenance, especially when the building houses a business. While there are many ways to clean a facility and its contents, there is a growing trend towards “green” cleaning methods: using environmentally friendly products and practices that minimize water and resources use. These green methods tend to be healthier for humans and can even save on long-term utility costs.

One of the simplest ways to clean greener is to switch products. Demand has created a broad range of environmentally friendly cleaners. Be wary when choosing them, however; sometimes they can be labeled misleadingly. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has laid out ground rules for making these certifications, so buying products marked ‘safe’ by them is generally advisable.

Another aspect of green maintenance involves using fewer resources while cleaning. Obviously, a certain amount of water and electricity is required to clean properly, but minimizing waste is key. There are many appliances designed to limit water consumption and power usage; look for EnergyStar labels. Some facilities even generate their own power or recycle their own water, which can be used for sustainable maintenance.

Green healthy cleaning methods are recommended because they are safer for humans, the environment, and ultimately company budgets. By using safe chemicals and cutting down on utility costs, facility managers can have a clean environment and a better world. To learn about how we at MaintenX can help your business achieve this as well, please contact us anytime.

Facility management welcomes diversity as an industry because considering different ideas and methods makes businesses more productive and efficient. It is excellent news, therefore, that many millennials are choosing to enter the facility management field. It needs revitalization, and young energy and perspectives are the right kind of infusion.

Mastery of facility management only comes with experience, though. There are many things that one can learn in a textbook, but engaging with the real-world challenges that managers face every day is what strengthens their knowledge and allows them to excel. Millennials entering facility management are welcome because baby boomers are increasingly retiring, taking their knowledge and experience with them. Before they go, however, they are looking to pass on their skills to the next generation, to ensure the continued success of facility management.

What exactly is it about facility management that attracts millennials? According to Temple University surveys, the focus on sustainability is a major draw. Facility management is an excellent platform for young people to effect social and environmental change. In addition, the variety in the day of a facility manager makes it an appealing field, as many millennials shy away from monotonous or repetitive tasks. Facility management offers individuals a chance to both work hard and be creative, a perfect balance.

Millennials choosing careers in facility management strengthens the field and paves the way for the future. MaintenX is on the cutting edge of facility management and maintenance, and can help your business and its facility be the best it can. To learn more about the services we offer, please feel free to contact us at any time!  

Most people who work regular shifts spend at least 8 hours in the workplace every day. Because of that, having a comfortable space is more necessity than desire for most employees. To meet this demand, many business owners and facility managers are designing their workplaces to promote employee happiness, productivity, and retention. With changing office spaces, new trends are arising in workplace design.

One of the most prominent trends in workplace design involves redistribution of existing space. Large conference rooms that were popular in many offices are being repurposed for workstations. Too much open and shared space creates more distractions and harms productivity. As a result, more intimate offices and spaces are being created from larger rooms, and space is being used more comfortably by employees. That is not to say that community rooms are a problem, as having a few is still helpful in the office environment, but variety is important in the modern workspace.

Circulation space is also being repurposed, becoming more than just lanes of transportation. The spaces in between offices are being used as communal break rooms and individual alcoves. This makes economic sense, as multi-purpose space is more cost-effective, but employees seem to enjoy the sense of completeness that brings a building together rather than a labyrinth of hallways.

Proper workplace design leads to happy workers, who are more productive and tend to stay with the company longer. At MaintenX, we excel in all aspects of facility maintenance, including renovations that may lead your business toward higher productivity and efficiency. To learn more about the services we offer, please contact us at any time.

Sustainability, the pursuit of social and environmental empowerment, is a goal that many business owners and facility managers share, but what does it look like in practice? The Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform, created by the United Nations, asked this very question. They met with leaders from around the globe to determine the best ways to obtain sustainability in our businesses. They then outlined 17 goals that every business owner and, in a way, every individual, should work towards to meet their standards by the year 2030. The goals are as follows:

1. To end poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. To end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
3. To ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
4. To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
5. To achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.
6. To ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
7. To ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
8. To promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
9. To build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
10. To reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. To make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
12. To ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
13. To take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. To conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
15. To protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
16. To promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. To strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

As you can see, these goals encompass an extremely broad range of social and environmental issues. They are utopian ideals for the betterment of humanity, and can be attained if everyone, business owners in particular, works towards them. What are you and your company doing to support these goals?

We at MaintenX believe in sustainability and want to help you achieve it as well. To learn more about the services we offer, please contact us at any time.

The push for corporate sustainability is shared throughout the world. Sustainability, in the business sense, means using environmental friendliness as part of one’s standard of success. Companies that make a powerful impact in their communities by promoting environmental justice issues are considered sustainable. While any business can achieve this goal, a few stand proud on the world stage as paragons for sustainability.

According to research firm Corporate Knights’ yearly ranking, the most sustainable company in the world is Siemens, an industrial company based in Germany. They’ve developed ambitious plans and produced quantifiable results: half their facilities in Germany use 100% green energy, their Newcastle location produces zero landfill waste, and they have committed to carbon-neutral operations by 2030. Norwegian financial services firm Storebrand ASA is second on the list, followed by the American IT firm Cisco.

Two more financial companies are fourth and fifth: Danske Bank of Denmark and ING Group of the Netherlands.

The only other American company in the Top 10 is the healthcare firm Johnson & Johnson. Maintenx believes that with the world’s largest and most dynamic economy, the US should have more than two out of ten on the list. We’re ready to help make that happen.

As a business owner, it is up to you to choose sustainability, but you don’t have conduct the process alone. We at MaintenX believe in promoting sustainability, and want to help you achieve it through good management of your business facilities and good strategic advice. To learn more about the services we offer, please contact us anytime!