Category: Energy Efficiency

Categories
Energy Efficiency

Smart Building Technology – How to get started

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

CHECK OUR SERVICES

Smart Building Technology – How to get started

Introduction

According Energy Manager Today (2018), the global smart building market is predicted to reach $61.9 million by 2024. One of the major drivers for growth in this sector is increasing concern around energy waste and carbon emissions.  Smart buildings improve operational efficiency through sophisticated controls automation, delivering more comfortable working environments at the lowest cost and with the least environmental impact.

Recent years have seen rapid advances both in terms of the communication between disparate systems and the availability of information for building managers.  The evolution of IoT has resulted in an explosion in the sheer volume of data generated, making it possible to proactively respond to building inefficiencies.

Migrating over to smart building technology can seem like a daunting task.  In order to gain the real value from these systems, decision makers must filter through the wide variety of technologies available on the market and assess the suitability of each.  This webinar provides a brief guide into the smart building market, how to assess suitable technologies, how to upgrade an existing building, and how to maximise the benefits of the chosen solution.

Key Learning Outcomes

Malcolm Coombes, Senior Controls Consulting Engineer

As our controls specialist, Malcolm supports both our Operations department and our Technical Energy Centre (TEC). Drawing on his extensive experience, Malcolm provides diagnostics to data anomalies and is the lead engineer for all BMS and controls strategy reviews, upgrades and installations.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

Introduction

According Energy Manager Today (2018), the global smart building market is predicted to reach $61.9 million by 2024. One of the major drivers for growth in this sector is increasing concern around energy waste and carbon emissions.  Smart buildings improve operational efficiency through sophisticated controls automation, delivering more comfortable working environments at the lowest cost and with the least environmental impact.

Recent years have seen rapid advances both in terms of the communication between disparate systems and the availability of information for building managers.  The evolution of IoT has resulted in an explosion in the sheer volume of data generated, making it possible to proactively respond to building inefficiencies.

Migrating over to smart building technology can seem like a daunting task.  In order to gain the real value from these systems, decision makers must filter through the wide variety of technologies available on the market and assess the suitability of each.  This webinar provides a brief guide into the smart building market, how to assess suitable technologies, how to upgrade an existing building, and how to maximise the benefits of the chosen solution.

Key Learning Outcomes

Malcolm Coombes, Senior Controls Consulting Engineer

As our controls specialist, Malcolm supports both our Operations department and our Technical Energy Centre (TEC). Drawing on his extensive experience, Malcolm provides diagnostics to data anomalies and is the lead engineer for all BMS and controls strategy reviews, upgrades and installations.

Categories
Energy Efficiency

The Need for BMS Optimisation in New Builds

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

CHECK OUR SERVICES

The Need for BMS Optimisation in New Builds

So, your new building is finished, fully commissioned, and handed over. It is now ready for occupation and to be fully equipped with all the state-of-the-art modern features. However, do you know the energy profile of your new building? How much the building going to cost you and the environment?

Yes, someone would have provided an estimation of the costs to run the building, but is that prediction correct? Buildings are not homogeneous; their operation and efficiency are unique to the activities undertaken within the specific site.

Just because a building is new, does not mean that it is running correctly or efficiently. Construction companies have tight deadlines to get a building up, running and compliant to safety specifications. As a result, the finer details of energy efficiency and optimisation is usually treated as an afterthought.

Typically, problems are not identified until after the first-year warranty period has passed, which invariably is too late. The delay in identifying building performance issues can be very costly. Running an inefficient building can cost thousands in wasted energy. It is even more worrying if there are no processes or systems in place to verify or quantify energy use.

Do not wait until issues arise. Inefficient buildings not only cost more money to run but they also impact comfort conditions. Review the current performance of your HVAC equipment and plant operation immediately after your building has been commissioned. In doing so, you will not only identify energy waste through inefficient equipment, but also benchmark the buildings performance.

The information gathered from a performance review will form the body of any action plan going forward. The action plan should provide a list of tasks to reduce energy waste within the building. If done correctly, your running costs should significantly decrease.

Your building should be efficient and comfortable from the start. If you are experiencing problems with your building performance speak to our team today on 0117 379 0850.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

So, your new building is finished, fully commissioned, and handed over. It is now ready for occupation and to be fully equipped with all the state-of-the-art modern features. However, do you know the energy profile of your new building? How much the building going to cost you and the environment?

Yes, someone would have provided an estimation of the costs to run the building, but is that prediction correct? Buildings are not homogeneous; their operation and efficiency are unique to the activities undertaken within the specific site.

Just because a building is new, does not mean that it is running correctly or efficiently. Construction companies have tight deadlines to get a building up, running and compliant to safety specifications. As a result, the finer details of energy efficiency and optimisation is usually treated as an afterthought.

Typically, problems are not identified until after the first-year warranty period has passed, which invariably is too late. The delay in identifying building performance issues can be very costly. Running an inefficient building can cost thousands in wasted energy. It is even more worrying if there are no processes or systems in place to verify or quantify energy use.

Do not wait until issues arise. Inefficient buildings not only cost more money to run but they also impact comfort conditions. Review the current performance of your HVAC equipment and plant operation immediately after your building has been commissioned. In doing so, you will not only identify energy waste through inefficient equipment, but also benchmark the buildings performance.

The information gathered from a performance review will form the body of any action plan going forward. The action plan should provide a list of tasks to reduce energy waste within the building. If done correctly, your running costs should significantly decrease.

Your building should be efficient and comfortable from the start. If you are experiencing problems with your building performance speak to our team today on 0117 379 0850.

Categories
Energy Efficiency

Internet of Things – Are you using it to the full?

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

CHECK OUR SERVICES

Internet of Things – Are you using it to the full?

A few decades ago we never thought it would be possible to automatically control the conditions in an entire building. However, the latest technological developments and the IoT have evolved the market, leading to the emergence of what we now know as smart buildings.

A smart building is any building that uses automation to control its operations which can include the heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC systems), lighting, security and more. The goal of a Smart Building is to deliver useful services that help make occupants more productive in their environment, at the lowest cost and with the least environmental impact. While newly constructed properties can be designed to implement all of these smart technologies from the ground up, older buildings can also be converted into a smart building.

Many buildings have not been equipped with a Building Automation System (BAS) or a Building Management System (BMS). Older buildings or small/medium sized buildings may not be able to justify the expense of installing a modern BMS. Typically, these types of buildings have disparate systems that operate independently to one another. As such, they rely on manual operation, which can produce inconsistent performance in respect to energy management and budgets.

You may wonder “how do I track, manage and reduce the amount of energy I use?” Well, one of the advantages of IoT equipment is its ease of deployment.  Some IoT equipment can even be implemented on a trial basis to get a snap shot of building performance before any commitment is made.

In some instances, the data pulled from the IoT equipment can be integrated with your BMS, enabling you to not only monitor your system but deliver appropriate information to improve operational efficiency.

Your building should be operationally efficient, comfortable and energy efficient. If you are experiencing problems with your HVAC or control systems or would like advice about the full use of the IoT and what solution to choose, contact us on 0117 379 0850 and speak to one of our Controls Specialists today.

 

Malcolm Coombes, Senior Controls Consulting Engineer

As our controls specialist, Malcolm supports both our Operations department and our Technical Energy Centre (TEC). Drawing on his extensive experience, Malcolm provides diagnostics to data anomalies and is the lead engineer for all BMS and controls strategy reviews, upgrades and installations.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

A few decades ago we never thought it would be possible to automatically control the conditions in an entire building. However, the latest technological developments and the IoT have evolved the market, leading to the emergence of what we now know as smart buildings.

A smart building is any building that uses automation to control its operations which can include the heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC systems), lighting, security and more. The goal of a Smart Building is to deliver useful services that help make occupants more productive in their environment, at the lowest cost and with the least environmental impact. While newly constructed properties can be designed to implement all of these smart technologies from the ground up, older buildings can also be converted into a smart building.

Many buildings have not been equipped with a Building Automation System (BAS) or a Building Management System (BMS). Older buildings or small/medium sized buildings may not be able to justify the expense of installing a modern BMS. Typically, these types of buildings have disparate systems that operate independently to one another. As such, they rely on manual operation, which can produce inconsistent performance in respect to energy management and budgets.

You may wonder “how do I track, manage and reduce the amount of energy I use?” Well, one of the advantages of IoT equipment is its ease of deployment.  Some IoT equipment can even be implemented on a trial basis to get a snap shot of building performance before any commitment is made.

In some instances, the data pulled from the IoT equipment can be integrated with your BMS, enabling you to not only monitor your system but deliver appropriate information to improve operational efficiency.

Your building should be operationally efficient, comfortable and energy efficient. If you are experiencing problems with your HVAC or control systems or would like advice about the full use of the IoT and what solution to choose, contact us on 0117 379 0850 and speak to one of our Controls Specialists today.

 

Malcolm Coombes, Senior Controls Consulting Engineer

As our controls specialist, Malcolm supports both our Operations department and our Technical Energy Centre (TEC). Drawing on his extensive experience, Malcolm provides diagnostics to data anomalies and is the lead engineer for all BMS and controls strategy reviews, upgrades and installations.

Categories
Energy Efficiency

An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

CHECK OUR SERVICES

An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality

An office or work place should be free of airborne pollutants and pathogens that could affect or cause health issues to occupants or give rise to discomfort.

According to Public Health England (2018), poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK.  We all know about the damaging effects of breathing in polluted air when outside, but what about the air we breathe indoors?  We spend about 90% of our time indoors, therefore our lifetime exposure to air pollutants will be significantly influenced by indoor air quality.

What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?

The quality of air both indoors and outdoors is critical to the health, comfort and well-being of building users.  The most common sources of indoor air pollutants are poor ventilation systems, building materials, chemicals from cleaning products, and office equipment (e.g. printers).  To remove these pollutants, a regular supply of fresh air should be provided throughout the building, with adequate ventilation and air supply rates.  External pollution ingress should also be minimised or eradicated as far as possible.

Air quality is very important in the workplace. Regular workforce complaints, increased sick leave and general discontentment with surroundings could be an indicator of poor indoor air quality.  If not addressed, companies or building owners could experience something known as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).  The Health and Safety Executive has published guidance on this phenomenon and how to deal with SBS.

How to manage and monitor indoor air quality and pollution?

Building temperature is a common cause of tenant / occupant complaints.  Sporadic and constant alteration of temperature set points should be discouraged.  Not only does this cause issues with comfort conditions, but it also creates challenges in managing indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) assessments should be completed either periodically as part of routine maintenance checks; or reactively, in response to identified health concerns.  An IAQ suite typically comprises:

  • Measurement and analysis of workplace Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentrations
  • Measurement and analysis of airborne particles
  • Measurement and analysis of airborne bacteria and fungi
  • Measurement and analysis of surface bacteria and fungi in ventilation systems and ductwork
  • Measurement and analysis of thermal comfort conditions (temperature and humidity)
  • Measurement and analysis of specific parameters in response to specific health complaints

Where does Indoor Air Pollution come from?

Internal pollution comes from a variety of sources, the main types being summarised below:

  • Gaseous pollutants
  • Volatile organic compounds often used in building materials, paints. Coatings, plastics, etc. (formaldehyde and benzene in example). NB: Some sources provide not only odours but can be carcinogenic as well
  • Airborne pathogens
  • Odours
  • Particulates

Gaseous Pollutants

Gaseous Pollutants can come from a variety of sources. The sources of contaminants depend on the type of building, location and types of activity being undertaken. One of the key areas of concern in an office space is Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Densely occupied office space can lead to high concentrations of CO2, which can make occupants feel lethargic and tired.

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) recommends that concentrations of 1000 parts per million (PPM), as an instantaneous value or 5000ppm of an 8-hour time weighted average, should be avoided. Typically, an office should be expected to maintain a level of around 650ppm.  The levels of CO2 in an office can also be used to determine if a building has adequate ventilation and often forms part of the IAQ checks.

Particulates

Particulates generated from various sources such as combustion appliances, aerosol sprays, clothing, carpet, wallboard and paper are a serious health concern in an enclosed office environment.  Sufferers of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema are the most vulnerable to illnesses triggered by inhaling these particulates.  In an office space, a high particulate concentration can also be an indication of poor office ventilation, hygiene or cleaning regime. Occupational standards dictate that 150µg/m3 over a 24-hour period should be avoided.

Airborne Pathogens

The effects of microbes (bacteria and fungi) in ductwork systems are often ignored.  Heavy concentrations of contaminated deposits that enter a buildings ventilation system can release spores into the airstream.  It is therefore essential to ensure the all the HVAC systems maintain an acceptable level of hygiene.  Bacterial and fungal monitoring often forms part of the IAQ checks that a specialist would undertake. Samples are taken using agar plates for both ‘contact’ (surface) and airborne bacteria and fungi to provide an indication of hygiene.

How to maintain adequate indoor air quality?

Periodic maintenance is essential on any system – ventilation and air conditioning is no exception.  Filter changes, cleaning air grilles and ensuring that temperature settings are correct are all standard procedure under a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) regime. However, system hygiene inspections and the cleaning of main components (duct, coils, filters, main distribution sections, etc.) can often be overlooked or not considered; this is partly because access is often restrictive for many parts of the system, particularly in older buildings.   The office cleaning regime also plays an important role in influencing air quality therefore, the standard and quality of cleaning should also be monitored.

Principally, the components of a comprehensive system in managing and maintaining adequate levels of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) are as follows:

  • Standard PPM on air conveyance system
  • Regular hygienic assessment and analysis of the conveyance system components and distribution
  • Periodic assessment of Indoor Air Quality with a standard suite of sampling and analysis
  • Ad hoc cleaning of the conveyance system as prescribed following poor hygiene indicators
  • Reactive testing when and if health issues occur to identify, isolate and eradicate any source of contamination

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

An office or work place should be free of airborne pollutants and pathogens that could affect or cause health issues to occupants or give rise to discomfort.

According to Public Health England (2018), poor air quality is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK.  We all know about the damaging effects of breathing in polluted air when outside, but what about the air we breathe indoors?  We spend about 90% of our time indoors, therefore our lifetime exposure to air pollutants will be significantly influenced by indoor air quality.

What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?

The quality of air both indoors and outdoors is critical to the health, comfort and well-being of building users.  The most common sources of indoor air pollutants are poor ventilation systems, building materials, chemicals from cleaning products, and office equipment (e.g. printers).  To remove these pollutants, a regular supply of fresh air should be provided throughout the building, with adequate ventilation and air supply rates.  External pollution ingress should also be minimised or eradicated as far as possible.

Air quality is very important in the workplace. Regular workforce complaints, increased sick leave and general discontentment with surroundings could be an indicator of poor indoor air quality.  If not addressed, companies or building owners could experience something known as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).  The Health and Safety Executive has published guidance on this phenomenon and how to deal with SBS.

How to manage and monitor indoor air quality and pollution?

Building temperature is a common cause of tenant / occupant complaints.  Sporadic and constant alteration of temperature set points should be discouraged.  Not only does this cause issues with comfort conditions, but it also creates challenges in managing indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) assessments should be completed either periodically as part of routine maintenance checks; or reactively, in response to identified health concerns.  An IAQ suite typically comprises:

  • Measurement and analysis of workplace Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentrations
  • Measurement and analysis of airborne particles
  • Measurement and analysis of airborne bacteria and fungi
  • Measurement and analysis of surface bacteria and fungi in ventilation systems and ductwork
  • Measurement and analysis of thermal comfort conditions (temperature and humidity)
  • Measurement and analysis of specific parameters in response to specific health complaints

Where does Indoor Air Pollution come from?

Internal pollution comes from a variety of sources, the main types being summarised below:

  • Gaseous pollutants
  • Volatile organic compounds often used in building materials, paints. Coatings, plastics, etc. (formaldehyde and benzene in example). NB: Some sources provide not only odours but can be carcinogenic as well
  • Airborne pathogens
  • Odours
  • Particulates

Gaseous Pollutants

Gaseous Pollutants can come from a variety of sources. The sources of contaminants depend on the type of building, location and types of activity being undertaken. One of the key areas of concern in an office space is Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Densely occupied office space can lead to high concentrations of CO2, which can make occupants feel lethargic and tired.

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) recommends that concentrations of 1000 parts per million (PPM), as an instantaneous value or 5000ppm of an 8-hour time weighted average, should be avoided. Typically, an office should be expected to maintain a level of around 650ppm.  The levels of CO2 in an office can also be used to determine if a building has adequate ventilation and often forms part of the IAQ checks.

Particulates

Particulates generated from various sources such as combustion appliances, aerosol sprays, clothing, carpet, wallboard and paper are a serious health concern in an enclosed office environment.  Sufferers of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema are the most vulnerable to illnesses triggered by inhaling these particulates.  In an office space, a high particulate concentration can also be an indication of poor office ventilation, hygiene or cleaning regime. Occupational standards dictate that 150µg/m3 over a 24-hour period should be avoided.

Airborne Pathogens

The effects of microbes (bacteria and fungi) in ductwork systems are often ignored.  Heavy concentrations of contaminated deposits that enter a buildings ventilation system can release spores into the airstream.  It is therefore essential to ensure the all the HVAC systems maintain an acceptable level of hygiene.  Bacterial and fungal monitoring often forms part of the IAQ checks that a specialist would undertake. Samples are taken using agar plates for both ‘contact’ (surface) and airborne bacteria and fungi to provide an indication of hygiene.

How to maintain adequate indoor air quality?

Periodic maintenance is essential on any system – ventilation and air conditioning is no exception.  Filter changes, cleaning air grilles and ensuring that temperature settings are correct are all standard procedure under a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) regime. However, system hygiene inspections and the cleaning of main components (duct, coils, filters, main distribution sections, etc.) can often be overlooked or not considered; this is partly because access is often restrictive for many parts of the system, particularly in older buildings.   The office cleaning regime also plays an important role in influencing air quality therefore, the standard and quality of cleaning should also be monitored.

Principally, the components of a comprehensive system in managing and maintaining adequate levels of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) are as follows:

  • Standard PPM on air conveyance system
  • Regular hygienic assessment and analysis of the conveyance system components and distribution
  • Periodic assessment of Indoor Air Quality with a standard suite of sampling and analysis
  • Ad hoc cleaning of the conveyance system as prescribed following poor hygiene indicators
  • Reactive testing when and if health issues occur to identify, isolate and eradicate any source of contamination
Categories
Energy Efficiency

PropTech – The Growing Trend in the Real Estate Industry

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

CHECK OUR SERVICES

PropTech – The Growing Trend in the Real Estate Industry

The concept of ‘PropTech’ has been gaining increasing exposure in property and real estate circles for a number of years, with more and more software and service companies entering the space and aligning what they do with this current trend.

As a result, many organisations who either invest in or manage commercial estates are becoming increasingly curious of the benefits that technological advances and innovation can bring to the financial success of their portfolios; often vying for the kudos of being an ‘early adopter’ of the next big thing.

Where things become a little confusing is the sheer breadth of technologies and solutions that fall under the umbrella of ‘PropTech’, which leads to this becoming a rather nebulous and opaque topic for those looking to see how software and advanced systems can add real value to their business.

As an energy management company that operates across international multi-site portfolios, we at ETS are focussed on the benefits that technology can bring to improve energy efficiency and optimise the performance of the buildings we look after for our clients – ultimately to reduce operating costs, ensure operational resilience, and protect capital and rental value.

A number of solutions are seemingly entering the market every week in this space, offering to monitor, manage and provide advanced analytics across a plethora of factors that impact on the performance of a building. As such, it is increasingly important to be able to sort the wheat from the chaff, and focus on those solutions that can provide real valuable insight and clear identification of opportunities for improvement – this is where our experience of working at all scales and across a wide variety of sectors comes in.

Technology on its own will rarely prove to be the panacea to poor building or portfolio operational performance – it certainly has its place, but the key is to view technology as a tool rather than an answer in itself. Buying the next shiny new bit of tech, but then failing to integrate it into your operations properly, simply leads to wasted time and money. There are a number of horror stories out there of tech installed, then just left to churn out data streams that no-one ever looks at until someone realises that nobody’s logged into that particular platform for 6 months.

The experience of engineers and energy managers should always be used to interpret what the new granular data streams are showing, interlacing this with a deep knowledge of the operational dynamics of the building and how it is used, and an eye on the strategic direction of the wider portfolio.

“As an energy management consultancy, you would say that wouldn’t you!” I can almost hear you cry, but we see it time and time again – and if you’ve promised your FD a swift ROI, which doesn’t materialise, this only hurts future attempts to secure funding for improvement projects. In our experience, it is where appropriate technological solutions interface with real human engineering experience that true value is generated – and we have been assisting our clients to realise this value for over 20 years.

So if you think that your business should be looking to technology to solve any problems you’re experiencing around high costs or building operational failures, let us help filter out the PropTech ‘noise’, identify those solutions that will provide valuable information, and integrate them into your operations so that the insights gained can be used to drive tangible improvements in performance.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

The concept of ‘PropTech’ has been gaining increasing exposure in property and real estate circles for a number of years, with more and more software and service companies entering the space and aligning what they do with this current trend.

As a result, many organisations who either invest in or manage commercial estates are becoming increasingly curious of the benefits that technological advances and innovation can bring to the financial success of their portfolios; often vying for the kudos of being an ‘early adopter’ of the next big thing.

Where things become a little confusing is the sheer breadth of technologies and solutions that fall under the umbrella of ‘PropTech’, which leads to this becoming a rather nebulous and opaque topic for those looking to see how software and advanced systems can add real value to their business.

As an energy management company that operates across international multi-site portfolios, we at ETS are focussed on the benefits that technology can bring to improve energy efficiency and optimise the performance of the buildings we look after for our clients – ultimately to reduce operating costs, ensure operational resilience, and protect capital and rental value.

A number of solutions are seemingly entering the market every week in this space, offering to monitor, manage and provide advanced analytics across a plethora of factors that impact on the performance of a building. As such, it is increasingly important to be able to sort the wheat from the chaff, and focus on those solutions that can provide real valuable insight and clear identification of opportunities for improvement – this is where our experience of working at all scales and across a wide variety of sectors comes in.

Technology on its own will rarely prove to be the panacea to poor building or portfolio operational performance – it certainly has its place, but the key is to view technology as a tool rather than an answer in itself. Buying the next shiny new bit of tech, but then failing to integrate it into your operations properly, simply leads to wasted time and money. There are a number of horror stories out there of tech installed, then just left to churn out data streams that no-one ever looks at until someone realises that nobody’s logged into that particular platform for 6 months.

The experience of engineers and energy managers should always be used to interpret what the new granular data streams are showing, interlacing this with a deep knowledge of the operational dynamics of the building and how it is used, and an eye on the strategic direction of the wider portfolio.

“As an energy management consultancy, you would say that wouldn’t you!” I can almost hear you cry, but we see it time and time again – and if you’ve promised your FD a swift ROI, which doesn’t materialise, this only hurts future attempts to secure funding for improvement projects. In our experience, it is where appropriate technological solutions interface with real human engineering experience that true value is generated – and we have been assisting our clients to realise this value for over 20 years.

So if you think that your business should be looking to technology to solve any problems you’re experiencing around high costs or building operational failures, let us help filter out the PropTech ‘noise’, identify those solutions that will provide valuable information, and integrate them into your operations so that the insights gained can be used to drive tangible improvements in performance.

Categories
Energy Efficiency

BMS vs BEMS

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

CHECK OUR SERVICES

BMS vs BEMS

The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed the energy industry. Insight derived from data collected from devices linked to the internet provide opportunities to improve energy efficiency, solve critical problems and enhance operational performance. IoT has already had a significant impact on the commercial real estate sector. IoT applications are enabling organisations to dramatically improve building operations, enhance tenant relationships and provide new opportunities to reduce capital expenditure.

The commercial real estate sector is uniquely positioned to implement technology using IoT-enabled Building Management Systems (BMS). A fully integrated IoT-enabled BMS provides a much richer picture of building performance compared to an independent BMS, not to mention the intelligent decision-making that comes from real-time data supplied via this type of system.

The IoT has evolved the BMS landscape giving rise to the smart building market. As a result, the distinction between a BMS and a Building Energy Management System (BeMS) is slowly disappearing. A BMS is an essential component of a smart building and there are many overlaps in functionality between a BMS and BeMS. Therefore, when introducing smart building technology, it is essential to know the difference between these two systems.

What is a BMS?

A building management system or commonly known as a BMS, is a control system that can be used to monitor and manage the mechanical and electrical services in a building or facility. Such services can include power, access control, lifts and lights, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning. More specifically, they link the functionality of individual pieces of building equipment so that they operate as one complete integrated system. New generations of BMS are now based on open communications protocols and are IoT-enabled allowing the integration of multiple system vendors.

How does a BMS work?

Using intelligent standalone controllers or outstations, a BMS can manage plant equipment in response to changing conditions such as time or temperature levels. It is possible to begin with a single outstation and expand over time; this is what gives a BMS vast capabilities.  Typically, a BMS specialist will programme in the control strategy into the BMS which sets the parameters and controls automations. The strategy is based on the system description of the operation document provided at the design and commissioning stage. The core features of a BMS include:

  • Graphic User Interface (GUI)
  • Real Time Monitoring of Building Operation and Performance
  • Trending and Logging of Building Operation and Performance
  • Time Scheduling of Building Systems
  • Fault Management and Alarming
  • Control Application Programming
  • User Event Management
  • Energy Management and Reporting (NABERS)
  • Built in compliance with building requirements and government regulations

What is a BeMS?

A Building Energy Management System (BeMS) monitors and controls energy-related building services such as HVAC and lighting. The term BeMS is often used interchangeable with BMS, however it is argued that a BeMS only manages energy -related systems, whereas a BMS monitors and controls a wide range of building systems including fire-alarms, CCTV, motion sensors etc.

A BeMS will provide the information and tools that building managers need to both understand energy usage and control / improve energy performance. As both the BMS and BeMS market are profoundly changing because of IoT, there is growing debate as to whether the BeMS solution might eventually become obsolete as the gap between BMS and BeMS disappears.

BMS vs BeMS

When programmed skilfully, a BMS can become a Building Energy Management System (BeMS). To do this, the BMS needs to have a programmed control strategy that takes into consideration all the aspects of the plant connected to it and the synergy between them.

A BMS not only provides a holistic view into building operations but can also be the catalyst to responding to inefficiencies. Therefore, it is perfectly capable of saving large amounts of energy and money – be it gas, electricity or water. Ultimately, the key differentiator between a BMS and BeMS is the control strategy that is adopted.

More Answers

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed the energy industry. Insight derived from data collected from devices linked to the internet provide opportunities to improve energy efficiency, solve critical problems and enhance operational performance. IoT has already had a significant impact on the commercial real estate sector. IoT applications are enabling organisations to dramatically improve building operations, enhance tenant relationships and provide new opportunities to reduce capital expenditure.

The commercial real estate sector is uniquely positioned to implement technology using IoT-enabled Building Management Systems (BMS). A fully integrated IoT-enabled BMS provides a much richer picture of building performance compared to an independent BMS, not to mention the intelligent decision-making that comes from real-time data supplied via this type of system.

The IoT has evolved the BMS landscape giving rise to the smart building market. As a result, the distinction between a BMS and a Building Energy Management System (BeMS) is slowly disappearing. A BMS is an essential component of a smart building and there are many overlaps in functionality between a BMS and BeMS. Therefore, when introducing smart building technology, it is essential to know the difference between these two systems.

What is a BMS?

A building management system or commonly known as a BMS, is a control system that can be used to monitor and manage the mechanical and electrical services in a building or facility. Such services can include power, access control, lifts and lights, heating, ventilation, air-conditioning. More specifically, they link the functionality of individual pieces of building equipment so that they operate as one complete integrated system. New generations of BMS are now based on open communications protocols and are IoT-enabled allowing the integration of multiple system vendors.

How does a BMS work?

Using intelligent standalone controllers or outstations, a BMS can manage plant equipment in response to changing conditions such as time or temperature levels. It is possible to begin with a single outstation and expand over time; this is what gives a BMS vast capabilities.  Typically, a BMS specialist will programme in the control strategy into the BMS which sets the parameters and controls automations. The strategy is based on the system description of the operation document provided at the design and commissioning stage. The core features of a BMS include:

  • Graphic User Interface (GUI)
  • Real Time Monitoring of Building Operation and Performance
  • Trending and Logging of Building Operation and Performance
  • Time Scheduling of Building Systems
  • Fault Management and Alarming
  • Control Application Programming
  • User Event Management
  • Energy Management and Reporting (NABERS)
  • Built in compliance with building requirements and government regulations

What is a BeMS?

A Building Energy Management System (BeMS) monitors and controls energy-related building services such as HVAC and lighting. The term BeMS is often used interchangeable with BMS, however it is argued that a BeMS only manages energy -related systems, whereas a BMS monitors and controls a wide range of building systems including fire-alarms, CCTV, motion sensors etc.

A BeMS will provide the information and tools that building managers need to both understand energy usage and control / improve energy performance. As both the BMS and BeMS market are profoundly changing because of IoT, there is growing debate as to whether the BeMS solution might eventually become obsolete as the gap between BMS and BeMS disappears.

BMS vs BeMS

When programmed skilfully, a BMS can become a Building Energy Management System (BeMS). To do this, the BMS needs to have a programmed control strategy that takes into consideration all the aspects of the plant connected to it and the synergy between them.

A BMS not only provides a holistic view into building operations but can also be the catalyst to responding to inefficiencies. Therefore, it is perfectly capable of saving large amounts of energy and money – be it gas, electricity or water. Ultimately, the key differentiator between a BMS and BeMS is the control strategy that is adopted.

More Answers

To discuss BMS /BeMS and how it may apply to your business further you can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or by sending us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com.

Categories
Energy Efficiency

Energy Management Software: Benefits and Limitations

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

CHECK OUR SERVICES

Energy Management Software: Benefits and Limitations

Introduction

Energy Management Expert Phil Warren

As energy costs continue to rise and the levels of statutory obligations related to emissions and climate change increase, effective energy management has become a challenge for many organisations. One of the most common issues companies face, is choosing the right energy management system to support their business objectives. Many companies will rely on their energy broker to intervene and find an appropriate solution for them, but many won’t know all the options available.

There is a full spectrum of energy management solutions available on the market and when making a choice, it is important to understand how the capabilities of these systems match the company’s needs.  However, whilst Energy Management software programmes are extremely useful tools, they have their limitations.  Our Managing Director, Phil Warren, discusses this in more detail.

Energy Management Software is a great support to energy efficiency.  There are many proprietary systems on the market ready to be brought off the shelf, so you can purchase the license modules you need, hook up the connections and data feeds then away you go.   However, the software is only a tool that should be used skillfully to obtain the best results; to do this, you need to be proactive with it, if you are passive – results will pass you by.

Benefits of Energy Management Software: More Effective Use of Resources

Energy Management software programmes can collate all of your building systems energy data into a single application.  HVAC, Lighting, Security Systems and other plant equipment can all be included within the system presenting it in a visual dashboard.   This allows energy users to view a buildings energy use and gain insight into the energy consumption of each system.

Limitations

Whilst this is very helpful, it doesn’t take into account weather data, the quality of your data streams (controls and sensors), your facility, the condition of the plant equipment and building design.  Many of the solutions available on the market will only provide tools to report on energy consumption, with very little consideration given to the end user who then faces the challenge of making sense of the energy data presented to translate it into actionable energy saving opportunities; this is where we differ.  Our Technical Energy Centre (TEC) team not only reports on energy consumption but also provides guidance and expertise to make improvements to operational inefficiencies.

In my opinion, software should be viewed as a tool, very clever and able, but a tool nonetheless. You will go to a mechanic you trust because they are good at what they do, you do not care what type of spanners or diagnostic equipment he uses, it’s his knowledge that you buy.

The same applies to energy management software, you need to trust the analysis of the energy data presented.  This trust is built through the analyst understanding the data streams, your facility and the equipment that is consuming the energy. Only then can meaningful and lasting interventions be made to reduce consumption.

Benefit: Reduced Energy Consumption

The main purpose of an energy management system is to improve energy efficiency.   Energy data is collated for the various components within the building and converted into reports, graphs and charts to show energy use changes over time.  All this information allows the end user to make operational changes within their building to reduce energy consumption. 

Limitations

Whilst this is very effective in reducing energy consumption, it relies on the end user interpreting the data correctly to make adjustments to controls and understanding the causes of operational inefficiencies.  Our Operations Director, Phil Bilyard, discusses how to improve operational efficiency in more detail here.

Artificial Intelligence is making massive progress in the built environment through the amount of data that can be accessed, however, in my view the data and independent variables need regular review by a trained professional / expert to ensure the facility is being controlled as efficiently as possible.  Our TEC team explain how it is possible to save thousands through this approach to energy management.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

Introduction

Energy Management Expert Phil Warren

As energy costs continue to rise and the levels of statutory obligations related to emissions and climate change increase, effective energy management has become a challenge for many organisations. One of the most common issues companies face, is choosing the right energy management system to support their business objectives. Many companies will rely on their energy broker to intervene and find an appropriate solution for them, but many won’t know all the options available.

There is a full spectrum of energy management solutions available on the market and when making a choice, it is important to understand how the capabilities of these systems match the company’s needs.  However, whilst Energy Management software programmes are extremely useful tools, they have their limitations.  Our Managing Director, Phil Warren, discusses this in more detail.

Energy Management Software is a great support to energy efficiency.  There are many proprietary systems on the market ready to be brought off the shelf, so you can purchase the license modules you need, hook up the connections and data feeds then away you go.   However, the software is only a tool that should be used skillfully to obtain the best results; to do this, you need to be proactive with it, if you are passive – results will pass you by.

More Effective Use of Resources

Energy Management software programmes can collate all of your building systems energy data into a single application.  HVAC, Lighting, Security Systems and other plant equipment can all be included within the system presenting it in a visual dashboard.   This allows energy users to view a buildings energy use and gain insight into the energy consumption of each system.

Whilst this is very helpful, it doesn’t take into account weather data, the quality of your data streams (controls and sensors), your facility, the condition of the plant equipment and building design.  Many of the solutions available on the market will only provide tools to report on energy consumption, with very little consideration given to the end user who then faces the challenge of making sense of the energy data presented to translate it into actionable energy saving opportunities; this is where we differ.  Our Technical Energy Centre (TEC) team not only reports on energy consumption but also provides guidance and expertise to make improvements to operational inefficiencies.

In my opinion, software should be viewed as a tool, very clever and able, but a tool nonetheless. You will go to a mechanic you trust because they are good at what they do, you do not care what type of spanners or diagnostic equipment he uses, it’s his knowledge that you buy.

The same applies to energy management software, you need to trust the analysis of the energy data presented.  This trust is built through the analyst understanding the data streams, your facility and the equipment that is consuming the energy. Only then can meaningful and lasting interventions be made to reduce consumption.

Reduced Energy Consumption

The main purpose of an energy management system is to improve energy efficiency.   Energy data is collated for the various components within the building and converted into reports, graphs and charts to show energy use changes over time.  All this information allows the end user to make operational changes within their building to reduce energy consumption.  Whilst this is very effective in reducing energy consumption, it relies on the end user interpreting the data correctly to make adjustments to controls and understanding the causes of operational inefficiencies.  Our Operations Director, Phil Bilyard, discusses how to improve operational efficiency in more detail here.

Artificial Intelligence is making massive progress in the built environment through the amount of data that can be accessed, however, in my view the data and independent variables need regular review by a trained professional / expert to ensure the facility is being controlled as efficiently as possible.  Our TEC team explain how it is possible to save thousands through this approach to energy management.

If you would like to learn more about our TEC service, please call us on 0117 379 0850 or email enquiries@energy-ts.com

Categories
Energy Efficiency

Temporary Building Shutdowns: An Energy Management Perspective

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

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Temporary Building Shutdowns: An Energy Management Perspective

In these difficult times, businesses are being forced to adapt and adjust their day-to-day strategies. For some, this involves making temporary staffing arrangements and adjustments to how they operate their buildings, shutting some of their properties down in the short term.

When shutting down a building, whether partially or fully, it’s important to ensure you do it appropriately and in a way that minimises any costs and energy spend. Two key points to consider are how long the shutdown likely to the last for – will it be long-term or short-term? – and how many people will continue to occupy the building. Undertaking a full shutdown of a property when it’s not needed can make it more difficult and time-consuming to reactivate it when we’re through this current period.

There are several things that property managers can do to ensure their buildings are shutdown appropriately and energy use is minimised to save cash during this period. You can find our recommendations below.

Amend building services scheduling

We recommend amending building services plant and equipment schedules to align more closely with your amended operating hours. This should be done through the BMS (Building Management System) wherever possible, ensuring that all equipment is put into ‘auto’ and not left on ‘hand’ settings. This will ensure that the equipment is appropriately controlled through the BMS and aligned with updated scheduling.

Reduce any heating and air conditioning

You should reduce set points for space heating and introduce setbacks for out of hours occupancy, though you shouldn’t turn off boilers and heating equipment off fully. There will need to remain some level of cycling for building services equipment to allow for frost protection and building fabric protection. You’ll also need to take into account any partial occupancy throughout the shutdown period.

Much of the same applies to air conditioning and ventilation. Ventilation equipment should be reduced, but not turned off completely. Consideration should also be given to the use of reduced and localised ventilation through fan coil units if possible, to reduce any reliance on centralised whole-building space conditioning.

Turn off lighting and small power items where possible

Check any and all lighting that isn’t controlled by the BMS and turn off where possible, but be sure to maintain any lighting levels required to ensure safety in certain environments – for example, external lighting in urban areas as appropriate. Lighting should be reduced as much as possible, but maintaining safety while doing so is key.

Building managers should also ensure that once the building is vacated, all computers, screens and audio-visual equipment are fully turned off and not left in sleep mode. Similarly, all small power items should be turned off where appropriate and not left in hibernate.

Maintain critical water systems

It’s also crucial to take the right approach to your water systems when shutting down your building. Critical systems should be maintained, and operation kept in-line with the Health & Safety Executives Approved Code of Practice L8 to mitigate the risk of legionella upon building reactivation.

Continue to track energy consumption

It’s important to align your updated temporary strategy with any energy management software or external bureau that is being used by the building. Any alerting parameters for excessive consumption should be adjusted to align with the new operational profile.

This will enable you to have a good handle on any potential areas with excessive consumption during a shutdown or lower occupancy period. Additionally, it’s also a great way to gain insight into your baseline consumption within the property. This will then enable you to make better energy management decisions when the building comes back into full operation.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

In these difficult times, businesses are being forced to adapt and adjust their day-to-day strategies. For some, this involves making temporary staffing arrangements and adjustments to how they operate their buildings, shutting some of their properties down in the short term.

When shutting down a building, whether partially or fully, it’s important to ensure you do it appropriately and in a way that minimises any costs and energy spend. Two key points to consider are how long the shutdown likely to the last for – will it be long-term or short-term? – and how many people will continue to occupy the building. Undertaking a full shutdown of a property when it’s not needed can make it more difficult and time-consuming to reactivate it when we’re through this current period.

There are several things that property managers can do to ensure their buildings are shutdown appropriately and energy use is minimised to save cash during this period. You can find our recommendations below.

Amend building services scheduling

We recommend amending building services plant and equipment schedules to align more closely with your amended operating hours. This should be done through the BMS (Building Management System) wherever possible, ensuring that all equipment is put into ‘auto’ and not left on ‘hand’ settings. This will ensure that the equipment is appropriately controlled through the BMS and aligned with updated scheduling.

Reduce any heating and air conditioning

You should reduce set points for space heating and introduce setbacks for out of hours occupancy, though you shouldn’t turn off boilers and heating equipment off fully. There will need to remain some level of cycling for building services equipment to allow for frost protection and building fabric protection. You’ll also need to take into account any partial occupancy throughout the shutdown period.

Much of the same applies to air conditioning and ventilation. Ventilation equipment should be reduced, but not turned off completely. Consideration should also be given to the use of reduced and localised ventilation through fan coil units if possible, to reduce any reliance on centralised whole-building space conditioning.

Turn off lighting and small power items where possible

Check any and all lighting that isn’t controlled by the BMS and turn off where possible, but be sure to maintain any lighting levels required to ensure safety in certain environments – for example, external lighting in urban areas as appropriate. Lighting should be reduced as much as possible, but maintaining safety while doing so is key.

Building managers should also ensure that once the building is vacated, all computers, screens and audio-visual equipment are fully turned off and not left in sleep mode. Similarly, all small power items should be turned off where appropriate and not left in hibernate.

Maintain critical water systems

It’s also crucial to take the right approach to your water systems when shutting down your building. Critical systems should be maintained, and operation kept in-line with the Health & Safety Executives Approved Code of Practice L8 to mitigate the risk of legionella upon building reactivation.

Continue to track energy consumption

It’s important to align your updated temporary strategy with any energy management software or external bureau that is being used by the building. Any alerting parameters for excessive consumption should be adjusted to align with the new operational profile.

This will enable you to have a good handle on any potential areas with excessive consumption during a shutdown or lower occupancy period. Additionally, it’s also a great way to gain insight into your baseline consumption within the property. This will then enable you to make better energy management decisions when the building comes back into full operation.

Final thoughts

In short, there’s a lot of things that can be done to minimise energy usage while maintaining building integrity and quality during a shutdown – the above represent some of the key considerations.

For additional guidance, we recommend the Building Engineering Services Association’s SFG30: Mothballing and Reactivation, which provides good holistic guidance on this topic.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542, emailing us at enquiries@energy-ts.com or you can submit a contact form.

Categories
Energy Efficiency

Troubleshooting HVAC Issues in New and Old Buildings

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

CHECK OUR SERVICES

Troubleshooting HVAC Issues in New and Old Buildings

HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) issues are common across buildings new and old. Even where new buildings are designed with high-level performance credentials in mind, such as BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and LEED Platinum, this does not mean they are free from problems. More often than not, these highly accredited buildings come with significant heating, cooling, and control issues that only become apparent when they are finally handed over to the client and are fully operational. Older buildings often face the same problems – though for different reasons.

Understanding why these problems arise and how best to approach them is essential for ensuring your building is running at an optimal level. In many cases, the best approach is to partner with an energy expert who can guide you in the right direction.

What issues are faced by new and old buildings?

As mentioned, new buildings are prone to a significant amount of HVAC issues. Clients often mistakenly believe that because a building is boasted as being energy efficient and well-optimised that they don’t have to do any work after taking it over. Often, they’ll find when they finally move into the building, that the BMS hasn’t been optimally commissioned, the heating and cooling systems aren’t working together effectively or there are issues with the air supplies.

Old buildings are prone to the same common HVAC issues. However, they normally arise from different circumstances – such as systems failing after many years of use, or poor maintenance practices. Often, businesses fail to monitor that key systems are functioning properly, and this ends up significantly impacting the building’s energy performance and functionality. As a result, any efforts to improve conditions end up being an uphill struggle.

The consequences of the above issues are numerous. They lead to excessive running costs, key equipment failure and downtime, and poor working conditions for the building occupants, which can leave everyone frustrated. Then, if the company attempts to address these issues without the necessary expertise, they’re only likely to cause more trouble for themselves. Most companies don’t have the time needed to address HVAC issues properly themselves – in situations like these, the value of getting a fresh set of eyes to look into the problems can’t be overstated.

What are the main benefits of HVAC troubleshooting in the smart building and energy technology industry?

Modern smart buildings often have a lot of untapped potential for efficiency; but without the right commissioning and calibration, they’ll never be able to perform to the level to which they were designed. The main benefit of involving an outside advisor in the process is that it simplifies things. Chasing up HVAC issues with the building manager can easily lead to long, drawn-out conversations, where the blame is passed between the different parties involved in the construction and maintenance. It’s an issue that becomes even more complicated for large, multi-site organisations.

Partnering with a company that has the capacity to assist across multiple buildings will allow you to reach the level of optimisation you desire in a quick manner, supplying solutions that you can apply across the whole of your company.

What steps should businesses take?

When new buildings are in a process of transition from the developer to the occupant, we recommend involving a third party that specialises in energy performance and optimisation. Including a company that can carry out the necessary testing and commissioning – while maintaining an impartial, outside perspective – will help ensure a smooth transition can be secured, without any vested interest. Similarly, with older buildings, an expert can use their know-how to pragmatically rectify legacy issues and ensure the site is performing an optimal level.

ETS has the expertise to guide companies through these processes and ensure any HVAC issues are swiftly and effectively resolved.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) issues are common across buildings new and old. Even where new buildings are designed with high-level performance credentials in mind, such as BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and LEED Platinum, this does not mean they are free from problems. More often than not, these highly accredited buildings come with significant heating, cooling, and control issues that only become apparent when they are finally handed over to the client and are fully operational. Older buildings often face the same problems – though for different reasons.

Understanding why these problems arise and how best to approach them is essential for ensuring your building is running at an optimal level. In many cases, the best approach is to partner with an energy expert who can guide you in the right direction.

What issues are faced by new and old buildings?

As mentioned, new buildings are prone to a significant amount of HVAC issues. Clients often mistakenly believe that because a building is boasted as being energy efficient and well-optimised that they don’t have to do any work after taking it over. Often, they’ll find when they finally move into the building, that the BMS hasn’t been optimally commissioned, the heating and cooling systems aren’t working together effectively or there are issues with the air supplies.

Old buildings are prone to the same common HVAC issues. However, they normally arise from different circumstances – such as systems failing after many years of use, or poor maintenance practices. Often, businesses fail to monitor that key systems are functioning properly, and this ends up significantly impacting the building’s energy performance and functionality. As a result, any efforts to improve conditions end up being an uphill struggle.

The consequences of the above issues are numerous. They lead to excessive running costs, key equipment failure and downtime, and poor working conditions for the building occupants, which can leave everyone frustrated. Then, if the company attempts to address these issues without the necessary expertise, they’re only likely to cause more trouble for themselves. Most companies don’t have the time needed to address HVAC issues properly themselves – in situations like these, the value of getting a fresh set of eyes to look into the problems can’t be overstated.

What are the main benefits of HVAC troubleshooting in the smart building and energy technology industry?

Modern smart buildings often have a lot of untapped potential for efficiency; but without the right commissioning and calibration, they’ll never be able to perform to the level to which they were designed. The main benefit of involving an outside advisor in the process is that it simplifies things. Chasing up HVAC issues with the building manager can easily lead to long, drawn-out conversations, where the blame is passed between the different parties involved in the construction and maintenance. It’s an issue that becomes even more complicated for large, multi-site organisations.

Partnering with a company that has the capacity to assist across multiple buildings will allow you to reach the level of optimisation you desire in a quick manner, supplying solutions that you can apply across the whole of your company.

What steps should businesses take?

When new buildings are in a process of transition from the developer to the occupant, we recommend involving a third party that specialises in energy performance and optimisation. Including a company that can carry out the necessary testing and commissioning – while maintaining an impartial, outside perspective – will help ensure a smooth transition can be secured, without any vested interest. Similarly, with older buildings, an expert can use their know-how to pragmatically rectify legacy issues and ensure the site is performing an optimal level.

ETS has the expertise to guide companies through these processes and ensure any HVAC issues are swiftly and effectively resolved.

Questions about energy management technology?

If you have any questions regarding the energy needs of your business, our expert team at ETS are always here to help. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542, emailing us at enquiries@energy-ts.com or you can submit a contact form.

Categories
Energy Efficiency

Modern Challenges for Facilities Management

THIS ARTICLE AT A GLANCE

CONTACT ETS

If you have any questions or would like to discuss further what you should be doing, ETS is here and willing to help.
Call 0117 205 0542
Email enquiries@energy-ts.com
Submit a contact form

CHECK OUR SERVICES

Modern Challenges for Facilities Management

In recent years, we have seen significant shifts in how companies approach facilities management. There has been a broad transition towards data-led strategies, reflecting how businesses have access to more data sources than ever before. Because of this, companies can be predictive rather than reactive, able to spot negative trends ahead of time rather than combating problems after they arise.

Another key transition is towards automation. Smart buildings are quickly becoming the norm, allowing businesses to harness data quicker and with a greater sense of accuracy. As there is less reliance on manual processes, facilities management providers can reduce costs – both in terms of money and time.

However, some may see drawbacks in these new advancements. Despite removing older challenges, it can be argued that they replace them with new, modern challenges for facilities management providers. Perhaps the most pressing of these is the rate of which these transitions are taking place; if companies are slow to adapt, they are likely to be left behind by competitors. It is more important than ever for facilities managers to stay on top of the latest trends.

What is the future of facilities management?

As mentioned, facilities management is an area that is changing rapidly, leading to new challenges and opportunities. Key to this is a greater level of granularity and customisation. In the past, a company across their estate would have been provided with generic solutions to issues such as energy conservation. Now, there is room to develop more tailored ones, designed to suit a business’s specific needs. There is a greater awareness that there is no one-size-fits-all solution in facilities management, with companies ranging vastly when it comes to size and sectors covered.

The greater level of data granularity also allows for a higher level of transparency. This is great for both facilities management providers and their clients, giving them the ability to see how well a solution is working in real-time and identify problem areas quickly. Additionally, it allows progress to be tracked over time more easily and for data to be split in multiple ways. This means that however a business measures success, they will able to view their data in that manner.

Another future trend when it comes to facilities management is the sheer number of data points. New factors such as internal comfort conditions and provisions of fresh air can now be tracked, giving businesses a greater understanding of how their building works out how it affects employees. In short, facilities management is moving towards granting companies with more data and more ways to assess it, leading to many benefits.

What are the main benefits of this shift?

The key benefits of this transition in facilities management are clear: companies will be able to achieve more in less time and with lower costs. The increased granularity of data allows problems to be identified quicker and at times predicted before they occur. This predictivity means that organisations can plan more effectively and reduce downtime and unexpected costs.

The increased reliance on automation is also likely to reduce costs as well. Facilities management providers are able to provide businesses with solutions that are not only much more effective, but also cheaper to implement. Providers can access data streams and alter settings remotely through a range of different smart devices, making the process much quicker and easier. These savings are then passed on to clients, allowing both groups to reap the benefits of this shift in facilities management.

What steps should businesses take?

Companies need to take the increasing shift towards smart buildings and automation seriously. Facilities management is an area that has changed significantly over the past few years, and it is set to change even more in the years to come. There is a sea change coming in how buildings operate and what clients expect from their facilities management providers, and so it is essential to stay ahead of the curve.

ETS support companies of all sectors and scales and have the engineering skills to provide effective and modern facilities management solutions. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to facilities management and so it is essential to collaborate with a company that can provide you with a solution tailored to your company’s specific needs.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for an energy management system that is tailored to your business needs, ETS can provide you with 25 years of experience in dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. Whether your businesses have individual assets or large international portfolios, ETS can assist you in saving substantial amounts of money while significantly reducing your carbon performance.

To discuss your requirements, get in touch. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542 or drop us an email at enquiries@energy-ts.com. 

In recent years, we have seen significant shifts in how companies approach facilities management. There has been a broad transition towards data-led strategies, reflecting how businesses have access to more data sources than ever before. Because of this, companies can be predictive rather than reactive, able to spot negative trends ahead of time rather than combating problems after they arise.

Another key transition is towards automation. Smart buildings are quickly becoming the norm, allowing businesses to harness data quicker and with a greater sense of accuracy. As there is less reliance on manual processes, facilities management providers can reduce costs – both in terms of money and time.

However, some may see drawbacks in these new advancements. Despite removing older challenges, it can be argued that they replace them with new, modern challenges for facilities management providers. Perhaps the most pressing of these is the rate of which these transitions are taking place; if companies are slow to adapt, they are likely to be left behind by competitors. It is more important than ever for facilities managers to stay on top of the latest trends.

What is the future of facilities management?

As mentioned, facilities management is an area that is changing rapidly, leading to new challenges and opportunities. Key to this is a greater level of granularity and customisation. In the past, a company across their estate would have been provided with generic solutions to issues such as energy conservation. Now, there is room to develop more tailored ones, designed to suit a business’s specific needs. There is a greater awareness that there is no one-size-fits-all solution in facilities management, with companies ranging vastly when it comes to size and sectors covered.

The greater level of data granularity also allows for a higher level of transparency. This is great for both facilities management providers and their clients, giving them the ability to see how well a solution is working in real-time and identify problem areas quickly. Additionally, it allows progress to be tracked over time more easily and for data to be split in multiple ways. This means that however a business measures success, they will able to view their data in that manner.

Another future trend when it comes to facilities management is the sheer number of data points. New factors such as internal comfort conditions and provisions of fresh air can now be tracked, giving businesses a greater understanding of how their building works out how it affects employees. In short, facilities management is moving towards granting companies with more data and more ways to assess it, leading to many benefits.

What are the main benefits of this shift?

The key benefits of this transition in facilities management are clear: companies will be able to achieve more in less time and with lower costs. The increased granularity of data allows problems to be identified quicker and at times predicted before they occur. This predictivity means that organisations can plan more effectively and reduce downtime and unexpected costs.

The increased reliance on automation is also likely to reduce costs as well. Facilities management providers are able to provide businesses with solutions that are not only much more effective, but also cheaper to implement. Providers can access data streams and alter settings remotely through a range of different smart devices, making the process much quicker and easier. These savings are then passed on to clients, allowing both groups to reap the benefits of this shift in facilities management.

What steps should businesses take?

Companies need to take the increasing shift towards smart buildings and automation seriously. Facilities management is an area that has changed significantly over the past few years, and it is set to change even more in the years to come. There is a sea change coming in how buildings operate and what clients expect from their facilities management providers, and so it is essential to stay ahead of the curve.

ETS support companies of all sectors and scales and have the engineering skills to provide effective and modern facilities management solutions. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to facilities management and so it is essential to collaborate with a company that can provide you with a solution tailored to your company’s specific needs.

Questions about energy management technology?

If you have any questions regarding the energy needs of your business, our expert team at ETS are always here to help. You can contact us by calling 0117 205 0542, emailing us at enquiries@energy-ts.com or you can submit a contact form.

    CONTACT OUR TEAM WITH YOUR ENQUIRY

      Our Certifications

      Marija SlareEnergy & Carbon Saving Team | Team Leader

      Marija has been with ETS since the start of 2019 working as an Energy Manager. Her role includes energy data analysis, energy management, reporting, building control system management as well as working on various compliance projects such as ISO 50001 and ESOS. She also supports our Controls Bureau, providing remote assistance for our clients.

      Marija holds an MSc in Environmental Consultancy. As her Master’s thesis, Marija conducted in-depth research of energy policies and strategies in higher education institutions. Previously she has worked in various scientific research institutions, focusing on environmental and biological research projects.

      Mark TilbeeHead of Building Technologies

      Mark started his career in building services engineering with an electrical apprenticeship for an HVAC company – managing to achieve the 3rd highest ranking in the UK during that time.

      Over the last 15 years, Mark has worked across multiple M&E fields to a high level, including HVAC, refrigeration, large scale gas distribution systems, electrical design and building management system controls.

      During his previous role as Technical Director for a successful systems integrator, Mark focussed on building controls, including numerous different systems (Trend, Innotech, RDM and Priva etc). As part of this role, Mark focussed on system design, software engineering, integration, commissioning and project management of projects across numerous sectors across the UK including national utilities, multi-site retail, and higher education.

      Darren Sears

      Darren is a highly skilled controls engineer with extensive experience in the HVAC industry. With over 25 years of practical knowledge working in various commercial premises, offices, schools, and care homes, Darren brings a wealth of expertise in HVAC systems and controls.

      With a focus on controls engineering, Darren has dedicated his career to the maintenance and fault finding of BMS (Building Management Systems), control panels, and associated HVAC plant equipment. His day-to-day responsibilities have included conducting maintenance activities on BMS systems, troubleshooting issues, carrying out controller upgrades, and implementing energy-saving initiatives. Darren possesses a deep understanding of HVAC plant operations and their control mechanisms, allowing him to effectively optimise their performance and efficiency.

      Darren has involved in various projects throughout his career, including notable ones such as the Homebase and Argos projects. He led the Homebase 3-mode energy-saving works from start to completion, which involved conducting pre-works surveys, modifying and expanding BMS systems, and integrating HVAC systems. He also served as the lead engineer for the Homebase Last Man Out energy-saving works, optimizing energy consumption during out-of-hours periods. Additionally, he played a key role in the Argos BMS upgrades, retrofitting old control systems with Innotech solutions. Darren's experience and skills make him a valuable asset to any team in the HVAC industry.

      Jake ParkerJunior Controls Engineer

      Although his career in the Energy & BMS sector has only just begun Jake has hit the ground running, taking on commissioning and project management roles, such as becoming an Authorised Person and Permit Acceptor, on his first major site – an Energy From Waste Power Station. Here he was able to gain exposure to many aspects of the BMS industry, such as modifying panel wirings, MBus Metering and BACnet protocol.

      Jake is working hard to further increase his knowledge of controls systems he has worked with, and is rapidly expanding his experience and skill set as part of the ETS team..

      Pragathan GnanarajGraduate Energy Manager

      Pragathan joined ETS in 2022 as a Graduate Energy Manager. His role comprises of providing bespoke energy data analysis and reporting to ETS clients.

      He holds an MSc in Sustainable Development from the University of Surrey. During studies, he focused on the significance of the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on Climate Action in Sri Lanka's agricultural sector through the lens of Nationally Determined Contributions. His research and coursework covered a range of relevant topics, including corporate social and environmental responsibility, ecological economics, environmental auditing and management, environmental law, and life cycle assessment.

      While studying his master’s degree, he worked as a Net-Zero Carbon intern at a reputable insurance management company in London, contributing significantly to a project aimed at reducing carbon emissions and achieving the company's net-zero carbon goal. Pragathan demonstrated their ability to interpret data and identified reduction initiatives that aligned with the company's Science-Based Target. Their efforts resulted in comprehensive reports and a presentation for the board of directors.

      Beth NuttallAssistant

      Beth is an accomplished and tenacious professional who has thrived in various roles throughout her career. With a strong work ethic and the ability to excel both independently and collaboratively, Beth possesses a versatile skill set that can be applied across diverse industries and scenarios.

      Currently, she is providing invaluable support to Energy & Technical Services' finance and administration teams, expertly managing paperwork and handling multiple responsibilities with ease, thanks to her extensive experience. Beth monitors multiple inboxes day to day, undertaking tasks from quality auditing reports, to booking travel and accommodation for colleagues. I also generate invoice proposals throughout the course of the month and process invoices from the accounts inbox. No two days are the same and there is always something to do and help out with.

      Beth was with extensive experience in the recruitment industry before. She was at Sanderson PLC as an Account Process Manager, demonstrating exceptional abilities in managing multiple accounts. Beth guarantees that client demands are met while strictly adhering to company protocols with precision. Her expertise also involves effectively managing day rate contractor processes, organizing candidate interviews, and delivering consistent account reports.

      Jason NealonSenior Controls Engineer

      Jason has over 10 years of experience in the BEMS industry and is self-motivated and hardworking. He has a strong desire to lead, learn, and progress. With expertise in all aspects of bespoke BEMS installation projects, Jason is well-equipped to contribute to project success. Jason's current role mainly involves installing, commissioning and writing software for various BEMS controls. I am proficient with RDM, Distech and Innotech controls, and quite adept working on Trend and Cylon controls.

      Before joining ETS in 2022, Jason was a Senior Divisional Manager at SEI Electrical Contractors Ltd. In this role, Jason managed the Security and BEMS Division, serving as the main point of contact for all security and BEMS clients/stakeholders. Jason excels in liaising with clients, surveying, quoting, and winning new works, as well as planning, managing, and delivering security and BEMS projects within agreed timelines and profit margins. He also collaborated closely with the company MD on company goals, future works planning, accreditations, financial reports, and recruitment.

      Furthermore, Jason possesses strong expertise in BEMS, being responsible for writing software and commissioning RDM controllers for their own BEMS projects and subcontracted works. Additionally, he can provide remote support and issue resolution when site visits are not required.

      Elena RogersStrategic Partnership Manager

      Elena is a Strategic Partnership Manager. She is passionate about sustainability and aims to build strong relationships with partners and clients. Elena also plans to expand ETS into new international markets.

      Over the past 20 years, she has excelled in securing and cultivating lucrative business deals across the EU, CIS, and Russia. She is a skilled Senior Sales Manager with extensive experience in the oil and gas downstream, and chemical industries. Her success can be attributed to her expertise in relationship management and her ability to analyse political and economic trends to drive sales growth and capitalize on opportunities.

      Elena's strategic mindset and ability to understand client needs have allowed her to build strong business relationships with clients at all levels. She is skilled in negotiation, communication, and relationship building, working effectively with colleagues, clients, and suppliers. Elena's cultural awareness and adaptability enable her to work in diverse environments and collaborate with individuals from various nationalities.

      She has demonstrated her project management expertise by managing projects from initiation to handover throughout her career. Elena is skilled in handling technical and financial documents. She is bilingual in English and Russian, and has conversational skills in Polish and German.

      Mori ChiangMarketing Exectutive

      Mori joined Energy & Technical Services in 2022 and is based in Edinburgh. She is responsible for company branding, marketing communications and digital channels. Mori studied for the MSc in International Strategic Marketing at the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School. As a confident and skilled marketer, she delivers a multi-channel marketing plan, increases brand awareness across our niche target audience, produces compelling content ideas, designs brand materials, manages marketing for partnerships and supports the sales team in perfect communication with new clients.

      Before joining Energy & Technical Services, Mori was a Public Relations Executive at Strathberry, a luxury handbag design brand from Scotland. She analysed e-commerce sales and website performances, coordinated weekly industry news, and prepared press releases for new launches and sales in English and Mandarin. She managed external third-party agencies for international markets, which gave her better negotiation and communication skills. Her D2C experience helps Energy & Technical Services engage more in digital marketing for broader energy insight sharing across various funnels.

      Matt ShakeshaftHead of Finance

      Matt joined ETS in 2018 as our Financial Management Accountant and is responsible for controlling and monitoring the financial and accounting processes across the business. He has over 30 years’ experience as a Financial Controller and Management Accountant and is extremely proficient in managing multi-million-pound accounts and budgets.

      Matt started his career working at Pannell Kerr Forster Chartered Accountants before becoming an Assistant Accountant for a construction company. He later went on to work for a number of large engineering firms including Secure Meters (UK) and Phoenix Surveying Equipment Ltd.

      Simon PocockSenior Consulting Engineer

      Simon has over 25 years experience working as an Engineer and is a Full member of the British Institute for Facilities Management. His expertise includes HVAC, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.

      After serving in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy, Simon pursued a career within M&E and Building Services taking on a number of roles including Account Manager, Senior Project Manager, Contracts Manager and Senior Consulting Engineer. He has extensive experience working on a range of energy saving initiatives and has acted as Account / Contracts Manager for a number of National Retailers and blue chip companies.

      Simon joined Energy & Technical Services in 2016 and is responsible for the delivery of a range of energy saving and technical engineering projects. He is also the principle lead and Project Manager for one of the UK’s largest DIY retailers.

      Neil PickardSenior Consulting Engineer (Design)

      Neil has over 30 years experience in HVAC and refrigeration engineering. He has a HNC in Building Services Engineering and is (CITB) SMSTS Certified. His expertise includes project management, M&E design, HVAC and refrigeration.

      Neil started his career with Etherington Air-conditioning installing and commissioning Air-conditioning (AC) units before progressing into the role of Senior Contracts Engineer, designing and managing various large scale HVAC projects. During his career Neil has worked with a number of blue-chip clients on a variety of projects ranging in value from small-scale refurbishments to multi-million-pound upgrade schemes.

      Neil joined ETS in 2017 and works as one of our Senior Consulting Engineers specialising in M&E design. Neil supports our Operations department and is responsible for supplying consultancy expertise and delivering a number of energy and engineering projects / contracts.

      Dan WarrenProject Engineer

      Dan has close to ten years’ experience working as an engineer and has a wide range of professional qualifications. His expertise includes compliance, M&E Consultancy and Project Management.

      Dan started his career working for the Royal Navy as an Avionic Technician. During this time he completed a number of industry-recognised qualifications including City and Guilds, NVQ 2 Aeronautical Engineering and a BTEC National Diploma in Engineering. After this he progressed to being responsible for building and upgrading civilian and military helicopters.

      Dan joined ETS in 2017 as one of our Project Engineers, supporting our Operations department to deliver a wide range of energy saving initiatives including sub-metering installs, LED lighting upgrades and building services assessments. As a PRINCE2 qualified Project Manager, Dan oversees the installation and commissioning for a number of multi-site, energy efficiency upgrade schemes.

      Matt Vossen-BarnesSenior Consulting Engineer

      Matt has been an invaluable asset to ETS for several years. As the key account manager for our top retail company contract, he has successfully implemented energy-saving programs and provided valuable assistance to our commercial team. With a BSc (Hons) degree in Climate Change and Energy Management, Matt possesses the knowledge and expertise necessary to manage projects and drive energy management initiatives effectively. His areas of expertise include project management, LED lighting, HVAC systems, BEMs, refrigeration, and building performance optimization. With prior experience as a Store Manager for major retailers, Matt has a comprehensive understanding of the highly competitive retail industry and the challenges involved in enhancing operational efficiency while minimizing capital expenditure.

      His exceptional skill set in the retail sector has led to his outstanding contributions to major programs. As the Project Coordinator, he has successfully overseen the completion of various energy initiatives across multiple sites. Matt takes charge of coordinating LED lighting upgrades, HVAC and refrigeration optimization, and BMS works, and acts as the primary contractor for project management once approved.

      Matt has also been actively engaged in trials and assessments to improve energy efficiency. He participated in a solar film trial, evaluating the effectiveness of window films in reducing heat loss and solar heat gain. Additionally, he conducted a destratification trial assessment to explore the potential of utilizing destratification fans within large retail stores to improve ambient temperature and reduce HVAC load. He also led trials related to BEMs (Building Energy Management Systems) and EC fan walls, assessing their impact on pressurization, temperature control, and energy efficiency.

      Aidan McClureData Science Manager

      Aidan joined ETS in 2020 as a Senior Data Analyst within our Technical Energy Centre. His role in the Data Team includes enriching our data warehouse, expanding and optimising our reporting suite, and developing new ETL processes, while identifying and implementing efficiencies within our existing data processes.

      Before joining ETS, Aidan was working as a Data Analyst for an award-winning CRM Agency where he delivered campaign results, insights, and recommendations to several industry-leading brands. He was also responsible for implementing data-driven strategic and tactical campaigns, internally and with client teams.

      Jon GladwinEnergy Data and IT Analyst

      After graduating from the University of Sheffield with a BA (Hons) in History, Jon started his career working as a Campaign Architect for a marketing consultancy firm, designing data management strategies, building automated reporting systems, and carrying out data mining. He quickly progressed into the role of Reporting Analyst for a global financial administration company, responsible for the financial performance monitoring and reporting within the UK operations department

      Jon joined ETS in 2017 as one of our Energy Data and IT Analysts supporting our Technical Energy Centre team. He is responsible for compiling reporting suites and creating opportunities for streamlining and efficiencies in reporting to our clients. He also supports our Controls Bureau, providing remote assistance for our clients.

      Tania SlaterProcess & Coordination Manager

      Tania started her career working for a civil engineering consulting company as an Office Administrator before progressing into the role of Office Coordinator and Technical Desk Supervisor for a budget retailer. Tania soon returned to the engineering sector, taking on the role of Project Coordinator for a mechanical, electrical and refrigeration consultancy company where she took an active role in project coordination and supervision for various energy reduction and equipment installation projects.

      Tania joined ETS during 2017 following a brief time working in procurement for a water cylinder manufacturing company. Tania has a CMI Level 3 in Project Management and has a wealth of experience in project coordination and delivery. Supporting our Operations department in the north, Tania acts as our Office Coordinator and Technical Administrator for our Wakefield office.

      Phil WarrenCEO & Founder

      Phil has over 25 years experience working as a building services engineer and is a Chartered Energy Manager, ISO 50001 Lead Auditor and ESOS Lead Assessor. His expertise includes Energy Management Systems (EnMS), ISO 50001, energy audits, Heating Ventilating & Air Conditioning (HVAC), M&E services contracting and condition surveying. Phil is also a Member of the Energy Institute (MEI) and acts as the Media Officer for the South West and South Wales (SWSW) branch.

      Phil started his career working for the Army as a Royal Engineer, specialising in refrigeration and steam boilers. After leaving the Army, Phil took on a number of roles including Projects Manager, Service Engineer, Installer, Commission Supervisor, Contract Energy Manager and Operations Manager.

      As the Managing Director, Phil is responsible for the development of the company, both in terms of securing new opportunities and continuing to expand the business. Drawing on his extensive experience, Phil continues to provide guidance to the ETS team through sharing industry knowledge, identifying new energy initiatives, as well as quality managing internal processes.

      Jana PrikrylovaHR / Business Support

      Jana joined ETS in 2018 as a Central Support Co-ordinator and Administrator, and since 2019, she has been dedicated to advancing her career in Human Resources as HR/Business Support. Offering direct support to the Board while actively cultivating and sustaining a positive organisational culture.

      Jana’s responsibilities encompass the development and implementation of talent initiatives, the recruitment process, managing employee benefits and welfare programs, and contributing by offering training and guidance to management on relevant laws and regulations. Jana’s multifaced position demands a strategic approach to HR, requiring a seamless blend of people skills and legal acumen.

      Additionally, Jana acts as one of the main points of contact for our Bristol office and organises the majority of the company's facilities and resources, ensuring the business runs smoothly.

      Beth NuttallCentral Support Administrator

      Beth is an accomplished and tenacious professional who has thrived in various roles throughout her career. With a strong work ethic and the ability to excel both independently and collaboratively, Beth possesses a versatile skill set that can be applied across diverse industries and scenarios.

      Currently, she is providing invaluable support to Energy & Technical Services' finance and administration teams, expertly managing paperwork and handling multiple responsibilities with ease, thanks to her extensive experience. Beth monitors multiple inboxes day to day, undertaking tasks from quality auditing reports, to booking travel and accommodation for colleagues. I also generate invoice proposals throughout the course of the month and process invoices from the accounts inbox. No two days are the same and there is always something to do and help out with.

      Beth was with extensive experience in the recruitment industry before. She was at Sanderson PLC as an Account Process Manager, demonstrating exceptional abilities in managing multiple accounts. Beth guarantees that client demands are met while strictly adhering to company protocols with precision. Her expertise also involves effectively managing day rate contractor processes, organizing candidate interviews, and delivering consistent account reports.

      Viktoria VrastiakovaCentral Support Administrator

      Viktoria joined ETS in 2020 as Finance and Administration assistant, reporting directly to the Management Accountant regarding financial data management, and providing project administration support to the wider company. Having previously worked in the Asbestos Surveying and Consultancy industry for over 9 years, Viktoria is skilled in financial data processing and management, reporting, and technical project administration.

      Danny CarrollEnergy & Carbon Saving Director

      Danny has spent the last 24 years operating in a variety of roles supporting the Food Retail, Commercial Buildings and Distribution sectors. As a former Servicemen his career has progressed from Account Management through to Main Board positions for each Company he has work for delivering Refrigeration, HVAC, M&E services.

      Having spent the last 3 years operating in the Building Management Systems (BMS) he has been responsible for identifying and deploying innovative, secure and connected solutions to support effective and compliant Energy Management Systema for all his customers.

      Qualifications include those in IOSH, CDM, ISO14001, ISO27001 and Financial Management.

      Phil BilyardTraining & Technical Director

      Phil has a Graduateship with the City &Guilds and a HND in Engineering. He is an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), Chartered Energy Manager, ESOS Lead Assessor and CIBSE Accredited Air Conditioning Inspector. Phil is also a Full Member of the Energy Institute (MEI), Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET) and an Associate Member of CIBSE (ACIBSE).

      Phil started his career providing specialist engineering support in the Army’s Corps of Royal Engineers before pursuing a career in facilities management. He has work across a range of sectors and undertaken a number of roles including Building Services Engineer, Electrical Specialist, Project Manager and Contract Manager. His expertise includes Air and Water Quality Management, Low Carbon Consulting and Project Management.

      After joining Energy & Technical Services in 2010 as a Senior Consulting Engineer, Phil quickly progressed into the role of Operations Director. His role at ETS includes managing our operational team in the delivery of technical consultancy and energy management for our Retail and FM & Property clients.

      Danny CarrollEnergy & Carbon Director

      Sanjana ShaleenEnergy Manager

      Sanjana joined ETS in 2021 as an Energy Manager and her role encompasses supporting ETS clients with identification and implementation of energy reduction targets, and providing practical solutions to their energy challenges.

      She attained her MSc in Sustainable Energy & Green Technologies from University College Dublin (UCD) in 2018 and subsequently worked In Ireland as an Energy Analyst and Project Coordinator.

      Sanjana is Registered EnCO (Energy Conscious Organisation) consultant – recognised by ESTA / Energy Institute and PMVA qualified. Sanjana is also currently working towards becoming an ISO 50001 Lead Auditor.

      Kevin WisemanProject Engineer Consultant

      Kevin has close to 40 years experience working in the building engineering services sector for number of national M&E installation firms including Mitie Engineering Maintenance and Interserve Defence Ltd. He has extensive experience working across a range of sectors and his expertise includes HVAC systems, BMS, Boilers and Pressure Systems.

      After starting his career as an installer and maintenance engineer, Kevin progressed into the role of Operations and Maintenance Manager project managing the operations and maintenance of M&E services for a number of multi-million pound schemes.

      Kevin joined ETS in 2008 as a Contracts / Project Manager for a number of our major retail clients and continues to work on secondment as part of the Engineering department at Sainsbury’s.

      Chris CouvarasEngineer Consultant

      Chris is the most recent addition to ETS, bringing a wealth of experience in technical management and project delivery within fast-paced environments. With a B. Eng in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and almost 20 years building services experience, Chris possesses the knowledge and expertise necessary to manage complex projects and drive technical solutions effectively. His areas of expertise include critical building services operations, technical solutions development, energy management, project management, building data interpretation, and client-centric solutions discovery.

      Chris's extensive professional background includes roles such as Senior Technical Manager at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, where he led a team to provide technical support, implemented a project transition function, and successfully delivered system and component upgrade projects. His leadership ensured the continued reliable operation of the critical and life safety systems across the estate.

      Chris has a comprehensive understanding of the challenges involved in enhancing operational efficiency while minimizing capital expenditure. His exceptional skill set in managing critical systems and delivering client-centric solutions has led to his outstanding contributions to major programs. In previous roles, he identified and developed energy-saving initiatives, ensured compliance with statutory requirements, successfully managed shutdowns, and UPS life-cycle component replacements.

      Chris is passionate about innovation and sustainability in technical operations. His dedication to quality and operational excellence makes him a key player in driving forward the goals of ETS.

      Pragathan GnanarajGraduate Energy Manager

      Pragathan joined ETS in 2022 and is working as a Junior Energy Manager. His role comprises of delivering bespoke energy programmes such as BMS strategy improvements, energy investigations and corrections, energy data analysis and reporting to ETS clients.

      He holds an MSc in Sustainable Development from the University of Surrey. During studies, he focused on the significance of the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on Climate Action in Sri Lanka's agricultural sector through the lens of Nationally Determined Contributions. His research and coursework covered a range of relevant topics, including corporate social and environmental responsibility, ecological economics, environmental auditing and management, environmental law, and life cycle assessment.

      While studying his master’s degree, he worked as a Net-Zero Carbon intern at a reputable insurance management company in London, contributing significantly to a project aimed at reducing carbon emissions and achieving the company's net-zero carbon goal. Pragathan demonstrated their ability to interpret data and identified reduction initiatives that aligned with the company's Science-Based Target. Their efforts resulted in comprehensive reports and a presentation for the board of directors.

      Annie WestawayConsulting Engineer

      After achieving a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from Nottingham University, Annie continued her studies achieving an MSc in Environmental Sustainability from Edinburgh University. She is a qualified CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant, ESOS Lead Assessor as well as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and a Full Member of CIBSE (MCIBSE)

      Annie has over 20 years of experience in consultancy working across a range of sectors including infrastructure, retail, public sector, healthcare, leisure, residential and commercial. She has worked in Australia and the UK for a number of world renowned engineering firms including Cundall and CH2M Hill.

      As a leading team member of our Technical Energy Centre (TEC), Annie quality controls the service provided by the TEC team as well as continually developing our services.

      Adeayo BulusEnergy & Carbon Saving Team | Team Leader

      Adeayo joined ETS in 2019 as an Energy Specialist within our Technical Energy Centre (TEC). Drawing on her experience and knowledge of engineering and energy management, Adeayo supports our Controls Bureau. Her role encompasses remote assistance to a number of blue-chip clients requiring BMS strategy improvements, energy performance reviews and reporting.

      She is a Mechanical Engineer with a background in Building Services and Renewable Energy; and has a BSc in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship. Adeayo is also an Associate member of CIBSE and currently working towards her Chartership with the Energy Institute as well as becoming a CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant.

        Get in touch with our team

            Get in touch with our team