In spite of years of studies, demonstration programs, and published stories to the contrary, most facility organizations today still operate in a reactive mode. Though facility executives know that it is far better to schedule maintenance activities using planned and predictive maintenance tools, most continue to spend the bulk of their resources operating reactively. The most common reasons cited for this is the lack of sufficient resources.
Regular Maintenance Saves Energy and Money
The reactive approach to HVAC system maintenance is particularly troubling given the role that these systems play in today's facilities. HVAC systems in typical commercial buildings are responsible for more than 40 percent of total energy use. Keeping them running properly and at peak efficiency is the first step in managing facility energy use.
Modern Facilities Depend on HVAC
The importance of good HVAC system maintenance goes beyond just controlling energy use. Buildings today depend on properly-operating systems for more than just the comfort of the people inside. For example, most telecommunications systems have requirements for specific environmental conditions to operate properly. Temperatures and humidity levels that fall outside of this range can lead to costly service interruptions and even system failures. Sometimes the difference between keeping a business running and having to shut down is nothing more than proper HVAC system maintenance.