A new information paper for facilities managers, maintenance contractors and building owners, provides targeted guidance on how to deliver energy efficiency through improved facilities management. Combining the knowledge and experience of leading building research consultancy, BRE and the Swiss Institute of Facilities Management, the guide is the first in a series of publications dedicated to driving down the energy consumption and costs of commercial premises.

There are a number of factors that impact on a building’s energy performance, however, the key target areas for improving efficiency are:

• Regular building maintenance
• Ensuring the building is operated as intended
• Engaging and educating building users

The publication provides readers with an overview of the basic processes and techniques that can be used to make improvements in each of these key areas. It will help users to determine how well different building areas and systems are performing and identify potential further opportunities for making energy and cost savings. Other topics covered include building maintenance strategies, undertaking condition surveys (focussing on heating and lighting) and links to further technical guidance.

IP 15/13: Delivering energy efficiency in commercial buildings: A guide for facilities managers was funded by the BRE Trust and is available now from the BRE Bookshop.