With growing pressure on energy supply, fan manufacturer ebm-papst has called on the FM industry to focus on energy efficiency as a priority rather than getting side-tracked by things like PV.
Helen McHugh, head of sustainability at ebm-papst, said: 'The current energy scenario we are facing is akin to pouring water into a bucket with holes in - no matter where the water comes from, some will be wasted.

'If you increase the efficiency of that bucket by plugging the holes, then wastage will be almost completely eliminated. Therefore, it is really important that we get behind energy efficiency in the first instance and really drive down consumption before we commit huge investment in renewables.

'Whilst many of the new properties constructed in the UK may boast greater energy efficiency ratings, many older buildings are still using legacy equipment that is inefficient. Not only does this waste energy, it also creates unnecessary costs by inflating energy bills. Although investing in new technology and equipment may require immediate capital investment, it is important that facilities managers take a long-term view - particularly with energy prices rising.'

She said it was important that FMs examine every aspect of the building in order to identify potential savings. 'This task is made considerably more straightforward if a control system is in place, recording energy peaks and troughs for analysis. Air conditioning is a key area that is overlooked. It ticks over reliably in the background, but it could actually be a significant culprit of energy inefficiency.'