The huge increase in operating costs, mainly related to electricity and gas prices, will be one of the biggest challenges facing commercial property owners and managers in 2023. Experts at MVGM, a company that manages a volume of nearly 1.5 million sqm of space, stress that in the current situation it is of great importance to identify areas to optimize building operations, which should translate into real savings. A well-thought-out sustainability strategy that supports lowering operating costs is proving to be of no small importance.
The past two years of pandemonium have accustomed the market to building a business in a constantly changing reality. The role of building managers is evolving and an increasingly important part of it is to support both tenants and owners in the transformation process. Rising operating costs are a challenge for all players and the synergy of their actions is becoming important. Building managers, on the one hand, see potential in implementing solutions that allow for data analysis and process automation, as well as in appropriate communication with tenants, promoting energy-saving habits in daily office operations.
“Optimization and implementation of measures to reduce operating costs are standard procedures we follow at all properties we manage. They fall within the scope of ESG activities and are becoming a priority in the face of rising costs, primarily related to electricity, the price of which is breaking historical records. Unsurprisingly, this is the number one topic in the industry. At MVGM, we focus on education and thoughtful communication with tenants. We want to advise our clients in multiple ways and tailor our strategy to specific needs. What’s worth emphasizing is that cost-saving tactics must not come at the expense of the comfort of users of buildings, whether office, retail or warehouse and logistics,” explains Katarzyna Jaskiewicz, Head of Office Property Management & ESG, MVGM.
PropTech solutions paired with energy efficiency:
Integrating classic processes with technologies is one aspect that MVGM strongly develops and promotes to clients. PropTech solutions not only streamline certain processes, but also allow the collection of data on building usage, and these are more valuable than ever these days. When it comes to offices, in the now common hybrid working model, thanks to applications for booking desks and meeting rooms, we know exactly which rooms will be used and which will not, and therefore set the temperature and lighting accordingly.
“We manage to implement more and more technologies in the properties we manage. Thinking about operational savings, it is worth noting artificial intelligence, which supports the work of the technical service and allows automation of the management of systems such as lighting, air conditioning, ventilation and heating. We use electrical network parameter analyzers with associated software to manage the power consumption profile of facilities and better plan energy consumption during peak hours. In addition, the data provided allows for better planning in the area of heating or humidifying the air in winter,” says Mariusz Kanabrocki, Technical Director, MVGM.
Despite the fact that most buildings are equipped with modern technologies and solutions for user comfort, such as ventilation and air-conditioning systems, until now electricity costs have been only a part of property maintenance costs. However, this year’s price hikes have already shown that electricity charges are consuming an increasingly large pool of the budget, and the announced record increases will make it necessary to think strategically about these costs.
“High-end office or service buildings have a BMS automation system in place to monitor and manage all the equipment and systems in and around the building. In addition to properly setting up the system, it’s worthwhile here to include additional standards that have not been used before. At MVGM, we treat each property individually and prepare a strategy for the specific needs of the building. We base all recommendations on analysis, discussions with our partners and internal audits. We see that clear communication to the end user of the property is becoming more important – these are usually basic things from our point of view, but nevertheless worth reminding,” comments Katarzyna Jaskiewicz, Head of Office Property Management & ESG, MVGM.
