Well, that’s not really the whole story. “Lifecycle costs” could even include having to buy the same equipment all over again because it’s been ruined. It’s also about how adequate maintenance can steer a facility clear of avoidable and sometimes terrible boiler accidents that happen each year.
Does maintenance save money? Many numbers get thrown around when it comes to estimating the savings achieved by performing certain maintenance activities.
I remember meeting with a potential customer and showing him the list of estimated savings possible by performing various maintenance tasks. The owner looked at the list and said, “If I do all these tasks, the utility company will owe me money each month.” This is because the total was in excess of 100%. Maintenance people are often jaded by the “savings” thrown about by vendors for using their services or equipment. It has taken me most of my career to realize that facilities are more concerned with downtime and comfort complaints than they are with energy savings. While I acknowledge savings are possible with proper maintenance, I like to consider how maintenance — or more appropriately the lack of maintenance — can affect equipment life.
When they prefer to defer. I attended a local ASHRAE meeting and the presenter from Europe discussed the philosophical differences between the maintenance departments in Europe and here in the United States. In Europe, the maintenance departments are treated as equals and with the same respect as other departments in the facility. Sadly, that is not the case here. The maintenance departments here are treated like the crazy uncle we invite to holiday dinners.