by Shane Henson — June 25, 2012—Energy management appears to be at the top of facilities managers’ agendas as they aim to reduce the operational costs of the buildings they oversee. According to the 2012 Johnson Controls Energy Efficiency Indicator, a global report released under Johnson Controls’ Institute for Building Efficiency Initiative surveying 3,500 building owners and operators, 85% of building owners and operators globally depend on energy management to drive operational efficiency. This represents a 34-point increase in the last two years.
Energy cost savings and financial incentives are leading this shift, but more than half say they are also looking to improve their public image and increase the value of their buildings, finds the survey.
“Building owners are investing in energy efficiency because they recognize the financial payback,” said Dave Myers, president of Johnson Controls, Building Efficiency. “This year’s survey demonstrates there’s a change underway. The mantra for commercial real estate owners used to be location, location, location—now it’s becoming location, efficiency, location.”
According to the survey, nearly a third of respondents indicated tax credits, incentives and rebates have the greatest impact on increasing investment in energy efficiency. This finding underscores the role of government policy in the decision-making process of building owners and operators. That figure jumps to 42% in the United States, where building owners and operators need to address aging and inefficient buildings.
“Nearly 75% of commercial buildings in the United States are more than 20 years old and are ready for energy improvements. Building owners and operators are looking to lawmakers to bring down the cost of energy retrofits through incentives and rebates,” said Myers.
Ninety-six percent of respondents have implemented at least one building efficiency improvement, led by lighting, heating and air conditioning equipment and controls, and water efficiency. Half of the private sector respondents use the cost savings from energy efficiency upgrades to reduce the company’s overall budget, while 40% reinvest in further energy efficiency measures.
The survey also found that green building certifications, or voluntary rating systems, are on the rise, with 44% planning to certify existing buildings, up from 35% the year before. Further, 43% plan to certify new facilities.
