Energy-Efficiency Technologies We’re Excited for in 2018

Inventions are being made all the time, and right now is especially exciting. Developing technologies are sure to enhance an already booming green market, particularly in the field of energy-efficiency. These green technologies are sure to help businesses cut down on utility costs and become more sustainable.

There has been a push in recent years, which will only strengthen in 2018, to promote the use of renewable energy generation, particularly solar and wind. One such technology that is gaining momentum is piezoelectric flooring; material that collects kinetic energy when people walk on it. It may seem outlandish, but it is already generating notable amounts of energy in some places like the terrace of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Another is Azura, a device that generates power from ocean waves, which already supplies power to Hawaii’s electrical grid.

New innovations are being developed in water and electricity conservation as well. Many companies and even the U.S. Department of Energy are expanding their budgets to help research new ways to be sustainable.

As a facility management company, we’re excited for the opportunity to help others be more environmentally conscious and save money for power bills. Be sure to keep an eye out for these and other specific companies in 2018 and beyond.

What to do when your Business has an Electrical Emergency

As a facility manager, the goal of your maintenance plan will always be to prevent major problems. Sometimes, however, emergencies happen and the best you can do is try to mitigate the damage. In the event of an electrical emergency, there are a few things to keep in mind to manage it as safely and effectively as possible.

The first thing you should do in an electrical emergency is to shut off the main power source as quickly as possible. No maintenance can be done on the system if power is still flowing. All buildings have a breaker board, so shut off the main line if you are unable to determine the specific source of the problem. Doing this will prevent the risk of shock, fire, and related injuries to employees or customers.

If your emergency involves fire or injury, call 911 immediately. Never try to assist someone with a damp object, and never try to put out an electrical fire with water. Use a fire extinguisher, as it won’t spread the flames.

You should always have a plan in place to deal with electrical emergencies, but it’s preferable to prevent them. This can be done through a preventative maintenance plan, which MaintenX can help you develop and execute. For this and other emergency repairs to your electrical equipment or systems, please contact us any time!

Tips for Maintaining Commercial Refrigeration Equipment

All parts of a business facility are important, but if you are a restaurant or food service company, then maintaining your commercial refrigeration equipment is a major priority. You pay for poorly maintained equipment not only in repairs, but in lost inventory as well as downtime. To avoid that, devise a good plan for maintaining your refrigeration equipment through preventative maintenance and thorough cleanings.

The key to effectively maintaining commercial refrigeration equipment is meticulous cleaning. This doesn’t just mean doing a sweep of the inside, it means taking apart the whole machine and cleaning what’s inside as well. This kind of cleaning should be done at least a few times a year, but up to once a month depending on usage.

In addition to cleaning, inspect the vital components regularly and replace them as necessary. This includes coils, fans, motors, ice makers, etc. If the equipment is running inefficiently, you will spend more in energy bills and the risk of breakdown will rise.

Overall, the best thing you can do in maintaining any facility equipment is to devise and execute a preventative maintenance plan. It allows you to plan your hardware expenses, and makes for a safer and more efficient workplace. To learn about how the technicians of MaintenX can assist you with this, please contact us today!

Energy Management

Low/ No Cost Operational Changes Could Double Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

Click on the image below to view full size image

FirstFuel_Operational_Savings_Infographic
Source: FirstFuel

NREL

NREL has some useful resources for energy management in your facility.

Download Your Energy Saving Checklist

 

 

Want to learn more about Energy Management?

“Energy Star Leaders Offer 6 Lessons for Facility Managers”

Click HERE to read the 3 part article series on benchmarking your Energy Star efforts