Freeman, Rachel;
Preist, Chris;
(2013)
The Potential for Energy Savings in a School with Outsourced FM.
In: Alexander, Keith, (ed.)
Proceedings of the 12th EuroFM Research Symposium 2013.
EuroFM: European Facility Management Network: Prague, Czech Republic.
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Abstract
Purpose / Theory: Modern school buildings are complex and interactions between users, equipment, and the building change over time, with energy use often creeping up as equipment is added. Within a contractual structure in which the different roles needed to run a school are outsourced to several agencies, responsibility and accountability for energy use are sometimes mismatched. There is one energy bill but many legal entities and many different groups of people causing it. This paper draws lessons from a case study in a relatively new school in the UK. It examines the effects of the contractual structure, and equipment and building use, on the efforts of the parties involved to bring down high electricity use.// Design/methodology/approach: The case study was run over several months and involved several meetings with representatives from the FM, contractual management, and Information Technology (IT) companies, along with the school manager. Meter data was analysed and group and individual interviews were conducted. Systems thinking was used to better understand the dynamics at play between the building, agencies, and energy consumption.// Findings: The paper illustrates the need for flexibility in FM contracting, the perception of fairness in paying for energy bills (matching accountability with responsibility), and explores the potential for more effective energy saving campaigns in a modern school building.// Originality/value: This paper takes a fresh look at energy management within a school where FM and other services are outsourced. It finds that even when people want to do the right thing their actions and decision making are restricted by contractual arrangements, the availability of information, and operational needs.
| Type: | Proceedings paper |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Potential for Energy Savings in a School with Outsourced FM |
| Event: | 12th EuroFM Research Symposium 2013 |
| Location: | Prague, Czech Republic. |
| Dates: | 22 May 2013 - 24 May 2013 |
| ISBN-13: | 978-94-90694-02-9 |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.13140/2.1.2397.5209 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.2397.5209 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Facilities Management, Outsourcing, Energy Management, Systems Thinking. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Bartlett School Env, Energy and Resources |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10126994 |
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