We all know that construction costs have risen over the years, and the capital needed to build or replace mechanical equipment is not a decision to be taken lightly. Understanding the Life Cycle Cost of a building’s mechanical system is an important component to assist in making decisions that will impact the facility budget for the next 20 years.
Reviewing multiple mechanical solutions with a life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) lays the foundation for smarter budgeting and better long-term value. This allows facility owners to understand the upfront construction cost as well as the operational costs for each system and make more informed decisions in the early stages of the project. Operational costs include not only energy costs but also maintenance costs. Maintenance costs include the routine maintenance activities recommended by the manufacturer, including filter changes, grease/oil for moving parts, etc., to maintain your warranty. Other maintenance activities include routine updates to Temperature Control software and training facility staff on operations.
So what, basic stuff right? Well, let’s take that one step further and consider asset protection and Predictive Maintenance (PdM). Predictive Maintenance is a data-driven approach to improve efficiency and extend the life of the equipment by predicting failures based on data. With the correct data collection devices installed and set up for trending, building management software systems can predict when equipment is not performing and detect early deterioration/failure.
Why does this matter? If early deterioration can be predicted before full failure, then maintenance/replacement costs will be lower, energy efficiency can be optimized, downtime can be minimized, and you will be able to plan your next outage instead of dealing with an emergency on the weekend.
During the design phase, discuss with the engineer what data needs to be captured, which points should be trended/stored, and how to use this information. If your facility is already built, it’s never too late to start PdM for asset protection. Measuring and data collection devices can be installed post construction along with modifications to programming to capture the information in an impactful manner.
360 Engineering would love to work with you on your next project, or provide a detailed assessment of your current facility and operations to help plan improvements for optimization and long-term asset protection. Contact us to get started.
