Adversity to advantage
April 1st 2005 The impending arrival of regulations such as the EU Performance of Building Directive and the raft of amendments to the Building Regulations has been well documented, even if its full implications are not yet understood by all those affected.
At the same time, continuing volatility in the cost of energy means both commercial and regulatory pressures are moving energy up the corporate agenda for 2005.
Dave LeSage, managing director, Satchwell Control Systems, looks at the new regulations, the challenges and opportunities they offer to businesses of all sizes
The combination of these factors will put increasing pressure on companies to reduce energy consumption. Larger organisations might be expected to have systems and disciplines in place to address these issues, but there is considerable evidence that operators and owners of smaller companies or premises may not realise the significant impact this will have on them as well.
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) remains the major driver for the European market, with far-reaching implications.The main areas of the Directive include: measuring energy performance, energy efficiency certification and regular inspection.
Core to the new regulations is the emphasis on the actual energy performance of all types of buildings.Up-to-date energy performance certificates, showing the current power consumption of the building must be displayed in public areas and given to new tenants and owners.These certificates must also include suggestions for means to further improve energy efficiency.
In addition, amendments to Part L of the UK Building Regulations, due to come into force at the same time, will require larger buildings to be pressure tested to ensure they are airtight. Further requirements call for a log to be kept of energy consumed and raise the spectre of regular inspections.
How these changes affect smaller organisations and operators of smaller buildings is that the EPBD covers substantially all new build premises, as well as any refurbishment of larger premises over 1000m2. In the US, recent research has shown there are over one million business units between 10 000 and 50 000 square feet, yet only a small percentage have a BMS installed and a similar picture is expected in the UK and Europe.
At Satchwell,we have a wide variety of products and services that meet these changing market requirements and conditions. Our MicroNet range, for example, is an easy-to-use, flexible,modular building automation system specially designed for small to medium sized buildings and complexes.The system is designed to ensure HVAC plants operate efficiently, with increased life expectancy and flexibility for future growth. Crucially, it will help businesses meet the demands of the new legislation.
Energy efficiency may be becoming law, but companies of all sizes need to see the commercial benefits that can be gained by meeting regulation.
On average, energy costs are the third highest expense for any organisation, after people and buildings. Fitting, or upgrading, a BMS system to meet the latest regulations will return significant savings – typically up to 20% on energy bills.
BMS products and services have also evolved to meet the changing demands of customers.Modern systems are designed, not only to cater for 21st century working environments but also for changing working patterns. BMS systems can now be integrated into existing IT infrastructures to enable users to access information and adjust BMS performance through intranets, external web browsers and can even send alerts via text message to mobile phones.
At the same time that it is offering exciting new functionality, the controls industry is now actively committed to making modern BMS systems easier to use and install.
Lower installed cost and more easily measured full-life costs are helping businesses to justify BMS investments and reap the benefits in terms both of better control and higher energy efficiency.
With all the regulatory and commercial pressures coming to bear on companies this year, energy will inevitably become a boardroom level issue. Rather than feel they are drowning in a sea of red tape and bureaucracy, companies should see the commercial opportunities presented by a modern day BMS. More articles from Satchwell Control Systems: | 
