survey of higher education facilities managers 2015

SURVEY OF HIGHER EDUCATION FACILITIES MANAGERS 2015

Redshift Research

SUMMARY • 97% of respondents had at least a rough idea of where the budget for facilities and maintenance comes from in their

organization. 44% (on average) of these budgets were thought to be part of general operational budgets.

• 96% of respondents stated that energy efficiency was at least somewhat important in fulfilling their school’s core mission.

• 92% of respondents said their school had a culture that encourages energy efficiency practices throughout all levels and across all departments and 86% of respondents came from an institution where employees have an understanding of their role in achieving energy efficiency goals.

• 86% of respondents said they will not see cuts in energy efficiency investments at their institutions.

• 59% of people see organizational barriers created by bureaucratic organizational processes as the biggest obstacle to achieving their school’s energy efficiency goals.

• 59% believe improving their institution’s energy efficiency is a high priority.

• 33% said cost savings were the biggest factor driving energy efficiency efforts.

• 86% say their organization has been impacted by a loss of knowledge due to a retiring workforce

• 38% of campuses said they mainly had buildings 20 years or older and 49% of campuses have greatly varied buildings, some being new and others requiring improvements.

• 71% of institutions have an action plan to work towards building improvements in order to achieve energy efficiency goals.

94% of these changes will be implemented with in the next 6years.

• 39% of respondents ranked the compatibility of new technology with current systems as one of the top 3 factors they need to consider when purchasing new equipment.

Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 2

RESULTS


KNOWLEDGE OVER BUDGET SOURCE


97% of respondents had at least a rough idea of where the budget for facilities and maintenance comes from in their

organization.

Base:150 Q6. Do you know where the facilities and maintenance budget comes from?

Yes, I have at least a rough idea, 97%

No, I don't know, 3%

SOURCE OF FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET


The largest proportion of funding for facilities and maintenance was thought to come from operational budgets (44%)

and state funding (33%). As the % averages total to well over 100% (164%) it is clear that respondents do not

consider these categories mutually exclusive.

Base: 145 Q6. Please select the proportion that best represents how much each of the categories contributes to your

facilities and maintenance budget?

27% 29%

31% 33%

44%

Donors Energy Savings Grants State Funding Operations Budget

Mean

percentage

of funding

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY


96% of respondents stated that energy efficiency was at least somewhat important in fulfilling their school’s core

mission.

Base: 150 Q7. How important is energy efficiency to your school’s ability to fulfill its core mission?

1%

3%

31%

65%

Not at all important

Not very important

Somewhat important

Very important

ENCOURAGING ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRACTICES


92% of respondents said their school had a culture that encourages energy efficiency practices throughout all levels

and across all departments.

Base: 150 Q8. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? My school has a culture that encourages energy

efficiency practices throughout all levels and across all department

1%

2%

6%

39%

53%

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

ROLE IN ACHIEVING INSTITUTIONS’ ENERGY EFFICIENCY GOALS


86% of respondents came from an institution where employees have an understanding of their role in achieving

energy efficiency goals.

Base: 150 Q9. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Employees have an understanding of their role in

achieving the institution’s energy efficiency goals

1%

4%

9%

42%

44%

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Strongly Agree

NEXT YEAR INVESTMENT IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY


At 86% of respondents will not see cuts in energy efficiency investments at their institutions. 56% will see a budget

increase.

Base: 150 Q10. What is your projected investment in energy efficiency next year?

11%

30%

56%

Less than last year

The same as last year

More than last year

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS SEEN AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF LOWERING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS


88% of respondents agree that energy efficiency is the most cost effective way to meet their energy needs whilst

reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cost.

Base: 150 Q11. Do you believe that energy efficiency is the most cost effective way to meet your energy needs, reduce

cost and lower Greenhouse Gas emissions?

Yes, 88%

No, 7%

Not sure, 5%

OBSTACLES TO ACHIEVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY GOALS


59% of people see organizational barriers as the biggest obstacle to achieving their school’s energy efficiency goals.

Insufficient funding emerges as the second most frequently cited barrier.

Base:150 Q12. Please select the top 3 obstacles to achieving your school’s energy efficiency goals

3%

7%

34%

38%

46%

49%

52%

59%

Other

Not sure

No perceived obstacles

Lack of internal enthusiasm to implement

Inability to provide an acceptable ROI to procure funding

Lack clear definition of success

Insufficient funding

Organizational or administrative barriers such as procedures

Any ranked

in the top 3

PRIORITY OF IMPROVING INSTITUTION’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY


Only 7% believe improving their institution’s energy efficiency is a low priority. 59% view it as a high priority.

Base:150 Q13. Improving our institution’s energy efficiency is:

7%

33%

59%

A low priority

A second tier priority

Among our top five priorities

REASONS FOR BECOMING MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT


Cost savings were the biggest factor driving the their schools energy efficiency efforts for 33% of respondents.

Base: 150 Q14. Which of the following is the MOST important reason driving your school’s efforts to become more energy

efficient?

2%

2%

3%

4%

5%

5%

9%

11%

25%

33%

Other

Not sure

Our employees are pushing us to do so

The public demands it

Our students demand it

Our school or departmental leaders are …

Government incentives

Industry standards

Environmental benefits

Cost savings

BIGGEST TREND IMPACTING ON ORGANIZATION


Convergence of information and operational technology and efficiency initiatives and/or regulations were the biggest

impacting trend on educational institutions (28% and 29%)

Base: 150 Q15. Of the following, what is the biggest trend impacting your organization today?

Convergance of Information

Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT,

28%

Instrastructure modernization,

22%

Sustainability demands, 21%

Efficiency initiatives and/or regulations, 29%

IT AND OT CONVERGENCE


Half of respondents have convergent of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) in operating

systems

Base: 150

Q17. The convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) is a trend which is

taking hold across industries. It brings together the technologies traditionally used to run machines and

equipment (OT) with the technologies used to run networks and systems (IT). What are the top examples of the

convergence of IT and OT that you see in your industry?

5%

23%

25%

29%

31%

37%

50%

I am not sure

Manufacturing systems

Smart Grid

Automation systems

Security systems

Building systems

Operating systems

USE OF METERING & ANALYTICS


80% of schools have audited and metered most or all of its facilities. Only 2% of institutions have not audited or

metered any of its buildings.

Base: 150 Q16. To what extent has your school leveraged metering and analytics in order to understand your energy

consumption trends, benchmark building energy use, determine energy efficiency investment priorities and

measure and verify the impact/success of those investments?

2%

11%

41%

39%

My school/site has NOT meterd and audited any

of it facilities

My school/site has metered and audited a

few of its facilities

My school/site has metered and audited most of its facilities

My school/site has metered and audited all

of its facilities

COMPLIANCE AND OPERATIONAL RISK


Measuring compliance and risk, if it is done at all, is most often focused on the operational environment – but even

here, only in one quarter of institutions

Base: 150 Q18. To what extent is your school applying practices to detect compliance and risk issues associated with:

21%

21%

27%

Identifying operational improvements to increase occupant comfort and save energy (retrocommissioning)

Processes to improve an existing building's performance (recommissioning)

Your Operational environment (continuous monitoring)

Scored 10- to the greatest possible extent

ENERGY EFFICIENCY PRIORITIES


44% of schools have use low consumption devices in order to help meet energy efficiency goals and this is seen as

one of the most important solutions to increase energy efficiency. In general, people only implement those things

that they feel are important – so raising awareness of the importance of these measures is critical to facilitating their

successful adoption.

Base: 150 Q19A. Which of the following solutions do you feel are most important to helping your school or department

achieve its energy efficiency goals?

Q19B. What are you already doing to helping your school or department achieve its energy efficiency goals?

1%

4%

15%

22%

23%

28%

29%

29%

32%

33%

33%

43%

1%

3%

13%

26%

25%

23%

26%

23%

23%

38%

32%

44%

Other

Not sure/Don't know

Microgrid technologies

Metering & Energy Management Control systems (EMCS)

Reduction of redundant infrastructure

Integration of disparate systems

Alternative/Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, …

Intelligent technologies that optimize and control end use …

More resources to implement maintenance best practices

Changing human behaviors

Building envelope improvements (roofing, windows, insulation, …

Low consumption devices (lighting, motors, appliances, etc.)

What are you already doing

Which of the following solutions do you feel are most important

HOW IMPORTANT ARE CURRENT STRATEGIES IN FACILITATING BEHAVIOR CHANGE?


99% say that their current approach is an important element in facilitating behavior change.

Base: 150 Q19C. How successful do you feel the practices you have in place are or will be important regarding behavior

change.

57%

42%

1% 0%

Very important Somewhat important Not very important Not at all important

IMPACT OF AN AGING WORKFORCE


86% say their organization has been impacted through loss of knowledge due to a retiring workforce – few

institutions are escaping the negative impact of this trend.

Base: 150 Q20. To what extent is your organization being impacted by an aging workforce that is entering retirement and

taking institutional knowledge with them?

33%

53%

11%

3%

Highly Impacted Slightly Impacted Not Impacted Not sure

AGING INFRASTRUCTURE


38% of campuses say that the average age of their buildings exceeds 20 years

Only one in five report an average age below 10 years

Base: 150 Q21. What is the average age of most of the buildings on your campus?

1%

19%

21%

21%

38%

1%

0-4 years old

5-9 years old

10-14 years old

15-19 years old

20 years or older

Don't know

BUILDING CONDITION


49% report greatly varied mix of conditions – some new and some in need of improvements. Only just over one fifth

thought their infrastructure was in great shape and ready for the future.

Base: 150 Q22. In what condition are a majority of the campus buildings?

49%

23%

23%

3%

1%

Greatly varied as some buildings are new and some require improvements

Great shape and ready for future technologies

Need minor improvements

Need major improvements

Not sure

BUILDING IMPROVEMENT PLANS


71% of institutions have an action plan to work towards building improvements in order to achieve energy efficiency

goals. 94% of these changes will be implemented with in the next 6 years, although in a significant number of cases

implementation is still more than 4 years away.

Base Q23: 150

Base Q24:107 Q23. Does your school have an action plan to work towards building improvements, to achieve its energy

efficiency goals?

Q24. If yes, when do you plan to implement?

Yes, 71%

No, 11%

We are working on one now,

17%

52%

42%

5%

1%

0-3 years

4-6 years

7 or more years

Don't know

Q24. If yes, when do you plan to implement changes? Q23. Does your school have an action plan to

work towards building improvements, to

achieve its energy efficiency goals?

BUILDING IMPROVEMENT INVESTMENT


Of the 71% of institutions planning on building improvements, 54% of these will cost between $5 to $ 50 million

dollars. Only 22% will be less than $5 million

Q25. If yes, please indicate the approximate range of investment:

22%

54%

17%

3%

4%

Less than $5 million

$5 million to $50 million

$51 million to $100 million

More than $100 million

Don't know

Base Q25:107

PREFERRED RESOURCE FOR ENERGY TRAINING AND EDUCATION


Internet based training and utility resources were the preferred resource for energy training and education for 21%

and 20% of respondents

Base: 150 Q26. What is your preferred resource for energy training and education?

1%

4%

10%

10%

11%

11%

13%

20%

21%

Other

Not sure

Industry Hosted Webinars

Industry Tradeshows

APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities

Symposiums or Training Events

Association of Energy Engineers

Utility resources

Internet Based Training

RESOURCING OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS


Institutions typically resource energy saving projects through energy saving performance contracts (42%) or through

an ESCO (37%)

Base: 150 Q27. How does your institution typically resource energy efficiency projects?

11%

11%

37%

42%

Retrocommissioning

Don't know

Energy Service Company (ESCO)

Energy Savings Performance Contracts

KEY CONSIDERATIONS IN PURCHASE DECISIONS


39% of respondents ranked the compatibility of new technology with current systems as a top 3 influencer when

purchasing – making this factor even more likely to be picked as a key factor than quality or the sophistication of the

technology. Clearly, compatibility with legacy infrastructure is a key issue (perhaps unsurprising given that so many

buildings are over 20 years old).

Base: 150 Q28. What factors are the highest influence in your purchase decisions? Please rank the biggest obstacle as

number 1, etc.

Ranked

in top 3

15%

17%

21%

24%

24%

30%

31%

32%

33%

35%

39%

Values of the partnering technology company

Past installed technology company/existing relationships

Holistic approach to your operational problems

Future system needs that drive today's decision

Ease of install or least disruption to your campus

Lowest price of technology and installation

Working relationship with partnering technology company

Your staff's knowledge of the new systems being …

Technology advancements of solutions installed

Quality of the product being installed

Compatibility of technology with current installed systems

DEMOGRAPHICS


PRIMARY ROLE


70% of respondents were either facility director/manager (39%) or vice president of operations (39%). Their biggest

responsibilities were facility management (59%) and operations management (55%)

Base: 150 Q1. What title most closely aligns with your position?

Q2. Which of the following best describes your primary role/function in the organization?

5%

5%

9%

11%

31%

39%

Energy Manager

Other

Director of Maintenance

EH&S Director, Manager, or other

Vice President of Operations

Facility Director or Manager

29%

33%

55%

59%

Energy/Efficiency Management

Technology Management

Operations Management

Facility Management

DECISION-MAKING RESPONSIBILITY RELATED TO PURCHASING ENERGY SOLUTIONS


58% of respondents make the final purchase decisions or vendor selections related to energy solutions

Base:150 Q3. Which of the following best describes your decision-making responsibility related to purchasing energy

solutions (i.e. building management system, metering, and lighting) in your organization?

5%

12%

25%

58%

I have a strong influence in the decision-making process for purchasing or vendor

selecetions

I make some of the decisions for purchasing or vendor selections

I make most of the decisions for purchasing or vendor selections

I make all of the final decisions for purchasing or vendor selections

TYPE OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION


55% of respondents came from private institutions. The majority (77%) came from a 4 year college or university

Base: 150 Q4. Which of the following best describes the type of higher education institution you work for?

Q5. Is your institution?

Private, 55%

Public, 45%

77%

16%

7%

4 year college or university

2 year college - community

college/junior college

Vocational - technical or trade

college

Q4. Which of the following best describes the type

of higher education institution you work for? Q5. Is your institution?

RESPONDENT AGE


60% of respondents were between the ages of 22 and 39

Base: 150 Q29. Which of the following categories best indicates your age?

4%

17%

17%

26%

10%

10%

9%

4%

1%

1%

1%

18-21

22-29

30-33

34-39

40-43

44-50

51-59

60-64

65-70

71+

Refused

LENGTH OF SERVICE


57% of respondents had worked for the educational institution for 3-10years.

Base: 150 Q30. How long have you been working at this educational institution?

2%

11%

21%

36%

15%

3%

8%

3%

Less than 1 year

1-3 years

More than 3 years to less than 5 years

5 years to less than 10 years



20 years or more

Refused

INSTITUTION SIZE


35% of respondents came from institutions with 5,000+ currently registered students

Base: 150 Q31. How large is this educational institution, in terms of number of currently registered students at the location

where you are employed.

7%

11%

10%

15%

17%

11%

9%

5%

4%

3%

3%

5%

Less than 100

100 to 500

501 to 999

1,000 to 2,000

2,001 to 4,999

5,000 to 9,999

10,000 to 14,999

15,000 to 19,999

20,000 to 29,999

30,000 to 49,000

50,000 or more

Not sure

28%

32%

35%

UNDER 1,000 (NET)

1,000-4,999 (NET)

5,000+ (NET)

GENDER


Q32. Gender

Male, 54%

Female, 46%

54% of respondents asked were male and 46% asked were female.

Base: 150

WHAT PART OF COUNTRY DO THEY LIVE


1%

9%

13%

20%

23%

34%

Refused

West

Southwest

Midwest

Southeast

Northeast

Q33. In which part of the country do you live? Base: 150

APPENDIX


The survey was conducted among 150 facilities managers in higher educational establishment.

The interviews were conducted online by Redshift Research in June 2015 using an email invitation and an online survey via our Crowdology panel.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 8% percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

Sample was selected from the Crowdology & Crowdology partner panels. Crowdology™ is an online panel owned and operated by Redshift Research. The Crowdology™ panel is balanced across regional, age and gender demographic factors, and is nationally representative of the US population. Each respondent completes 120 profiling questions before being accepted to join our panel. Panel Quality Management is carried out frequently to ensure reliable surveys.

Although Redshift specializes in providing services to Marketing Communications companies (the Crowdology polling panel, for example)has a long pedigree of full service research project execution across industry sectors. Redshift Research is adept at executing focus groups, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, online research, desk research and statistical modeling, to mention just a few techniques.

38

METHODOLOGY

Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers

MORE INFORMATION


Guy Washer

Managing Director

Tel: +441732 356399

Mob: +447872 024910

www.redshiftresearch.co.uk

[email protected]

Paul Watts

Associate Director

Tel: +441732 356427

Mob: +447880 761634

www.redshiftresearch.co.uk

[email protected]

survey of higher education facilities managers 2015

Education

institutions energy

energy efficiency practices

energy efficiency efforts

energy efficiency investments

source of facilities

schools core mission

rough idea

schools ability