Building energy efficiency and the remuneration of operation and maintenance personnel

The lack of knowledge and motivation of the operation and maintenance (O&M) staff together with the available financial resources, are the key barriers to improving energy efficiency of buildings. A survey of O&M personnel has been conducted recently in Hong Kong to find out the energy consumption and the resource inputs to the operation and maintenance of services in commercial buildings. In turn, the current level of knowledge and skills of the O&M personnel was evaluated. Analysis of the collected data revealed that buildings with higher energy performance were associated with O&M personnel who were better paid. The income of the O&M personnel was associated with academic qualification and experience but a steady rate of rise could only be sustained by continued improvement. A feasible way to boost improvements in building energy performance would be to provide rewards that are linked to savings in energy costs.