You have probably heard about the cost savings you can make with an efficient energy management program. These techniques can either be implemented on a huge scale or performed through small actions that combine together to create a big impact. As a property manager, what should be your plan and how can you manage your energy? Here is what you need to know.
Already have an energy management system in place? If so, you should also be linked to a utility company. Despite this, contact other organizations in your area, and find out more about the benefits and discounts they offer. You would probably come across an energy company that offers a worthy deal; build a relationship with this one, and you will save more money in the long run.
Collect billing data
Costs can be managed effectively only when you know they are incurred. Collect, analyze and track your energy data on a regular basis. Doing this will help you evaluate the amounts you need to reduce and figure out the spots where energy can be saved.
Take help from an energy management software
Just collecting data is not enough; you would have to store it, and for this you would a need an energy management application. A spreadsheet is not recommended because it cannot give you the control or visibility that a professional software package can. So buy one, and use its features to get the savings benefit you want.
Identify and rank performance metrics
Unless you have some sort of metrics, you cannot monitor your progress effectively. In order to gauge your performance, you would need some sort of indicators. So evaluate and identify all metrics that are important to you. These can be anything but metrics related to costs are a better option. These can easily help you pinpoint those areas where you are spending more than necessary, and that is where you would have to make more efforts.
Think up of actions that can help save money and implement them
Once you identify the high expense areas, you should think of measures that can help you in reducing your costs. Contact an energy expert or a utility company advisor, and they would be able to help you out.
When all the plans have been finalized, be sure to incorporate them into your daily routine. All the while, track your performance metrics so that you can know the improvements that you have made.
Source: www.propertymanagementinsider.com