While there are a variety of utility/energy cost sharing and rebate programs available, who has the time to research, apply for, and execute these programs? The practice of conducting facility condition assessments has always been a routine approach to collecting and organizing a deferred maintenance list. But how many times have these detailed engineering reports just provided "planning level" project cost estimates, and then collected dust on the office shelf? When asked about the status of condition assessment documents, many managers simply point to the three-ring binder and say "There they are," and "We had one done several years ago without ever executing any of the work."
There is some light at the end of the tunnel. Some groups and facility teams are beginning to take a more holistic approach to controlling rising energy costs and deferred maintenance through innovative asset management programs. The Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) in Boston is well known among its peers for its progressive and innovative facility management style. HSPH houses a variety of office and laboratory space throughout its 540,000-sq-ft home to many important research programs that aim to improve public health around the globe. So, for Dean Paul Riccardi and operations manager Dan Beaudoin, tenant satisfaction is of paramount importance. Providing comfortable space with reliable infrastructure at a reasonable cost is their top priority.