Collecting and analyzing sustainability data requires consistency and vigilance.
By Regina Ludes
As more companies embrace ESG initiatives, collecting and analyzing accurate data is critical to ensure that you’re meeting your sustainability goals.
“The old saying, ‘What gets measured gets done,’ lends itself well to sustainability data,” said Jeff Cattanach, Senior Manager, Asset Protection and Environmental with Home Depot Canada.
“If you know what your goals and targets are and you have ways to measure them, that will help you understand trends, measure progress against existing goals, improve associate and customer comfort and safety in stores, and promote cost savings.”
Data collection is important to establish a baseline and track the program’s progress, added Matthew Browning, Director of Energy Analytics with GridPoint, an energy management company. “We cannot change, improve or track progress on items we can’t measure.”
What types of data should be collected and analyzed, and how should that information be used? That depends on the facility’s energy goals and the nature of its sustainability program.
“Many facilities managers have an idea of how they would like to approach their sustainability initiatives, but without an energy audit, operational drift can come into play,” Browning said. Operational drift is the gradual divergence away from the intended program design, usually a result of real-world factors or human behavior. Neglecting equipment inspections or running equipment 24/7, for example, can create operational drift, which interferes with a facility’s sustainability initiatives.
Measuring Key Metrics
Temperature control is one common metric that’s measured. GridPoint looks at the difference between the zone temperature and the set point, as well as the supply air temperature.
“Just because a thermostat is set at a particular temperature doesn’t mean it stays programmed that way,” said Jack French, GridPoint’s Senior Manager of Energy Analytics. Extreme hot weather or insufficient building envelope can cause conditions to become uncomfortable, prompting site personnel to lower the thermostat setting.
“If a unit is producing 80-degree air but the set point is 72 degrees, you’re never going to hit 72 because the air temperature servicing the area is 80 degrees,” French explained.
Vertical and industry benchmarks are reviewed along with peer data within the organization, which can help managers understand whether their facility meets their company’s sustainability goals compared to other facilities. An energy usage intensity report compares a facility’s sustainability performance with similar-sized facilities in the same portfolio, Browning explained.
A carbon usage intensity report examines a location's carbon emissions level and recommends strategies for reducing them. Browning cited the trend of commercial kitchens replacing gas appliances with electric ones.
“Natural gas might be less expensive, but it’s more carbon-heavy. Changing out the appliances to electric can help restaurants meet sustainability goals,” Browning said.
Site behavior practices, such as overriding lighting and HVAC set points or leaving a cooler door open, can also interfere with a facility’s sustainability efforts. Modifying those behaviors can help a facility become more energy efficient and sustainable, Browning said.
Facility data collection has some challenges. A location in a strip mall might require permission from the property manager to gain access to the roof. In some cases, a site manager may not provide accurate details about the building, such as the number of HVAC units or square footage. In those instances, French said they would send a technician to survey or collect the information during equipment installation. Most information, however, is tracked through the hardware installed at the facility.
Home Depot Case Study
When Cattanach joined Home Depot Canada 12 years ago, he started working in environmental compliance, focusing on waste and recycling compliance and diversion programs. In his current role, he oversees waste and recycling as well as energy consumption and store behavior with lighting and HVAC.
The data he examines represents three categories: sustainability, such as carbon emissions and gas consumption; feedback from Home Depot associates and customers about store temperature and comfort level; and costs. He strives to find a balance between all three.
The toughest challenge, Cattanach said, is making sure the data collected from different sources is consistent.
“Not every utility provider has the same insights or uses the same format or timelines. You might use multiple vendors who all have their own reporting methods.”
To overcome those differences, Cattanach requests service providers to share data as consistently as possible. In some cases, a third-party provider will be hired to compile the data from the various sources to create a consistent framework for analysis.
Advice for Facilities Managers
To maintain sustainable practices, French recommended a regular schedule of equipment inspections and making sure filters are routinely replaced. “Not inspecting the equipment is another form of operational drift. It puts you in a reactive position and can be costly to repair or replace in the long run,” he said.
Conducting an energy audit is a critical first step, even if it’s only to review utility bills, Browning said. Then, implement low-cost and no-cost measures, such as weather stripping and installing LED lights, to improve cost savings and usage.
“There are little things you can do to check that what you want to happen is actually happening,” Browning said.
Ideally, data collection and analysis should continue for at least one year, he added. That will provide enough time to determine whether your company’s sustainability strategies have worked during all four seasons.
Cattanach said collecting data for one year also can help you monitor seasonal differences since retail sales trends and changing weather conditions can impact results.
“If you’re doing the right things, you can properly measure against your existing goals, identify trends and confirm that you’re making the right decisions,” Cattanach said.
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