The role of technology in green building maintenance

Green buildings are designed to be environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout their life cycle, from planning and design to construction, operation, maintenance, and renovation. Green buildings are increasingly recognised in Southeast Asia as a vital solution to the region’s rapid urbanisation and environmental challenges.

Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are actively promoting sustainable construction practices and implementing green building regulations. While the concept is still relatively new in some countries, there is a growing understanding of the environmental and economic benefits of using technology in green building maintenance.

For more details on the growing green building movement in Southeast Asia, refer to this article shared by CIDB and Singapore Green Building Council.

Singapore has emerged as a frontrunner in green building initiatives within the region. As of early 2024, the city-state ranked seventh among Asia-Pacific countries, with green building adoption rates nearing 80%. This impressive statistic underscores Singapore’s dedication to environmentally conscious construction practices.

The market for green building materials in Southeast Asia and Australia was valued at $16.8 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $43.3 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. This substantial growth indicates a rising demand for sustainable construction materials, further supporting the adoption of green building practices in the region.

However, despite this growing awareness, the effective implementation of green building maintenance practices remains a critical challenge.

A crucial aspect in green building maintenance

Green building maintenance encompasses a wide range of activities, including:

• Energy Management: Optimising HVAC systems, monitoring energy consumption, and implementing energy-saving measures.
• Water Conservation: Identifying and repairing leaks, implementing low-flow fixtures, and optimizing irrigation systems.
• Waste Management: Implementing waste reduction strategies, promoting recycling programs, and ensuring proper waste disposal.
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management: Monitoring and improving indoor air quality by enhancing ventilation, using non-toxic cleaning products, and controlling pollutants.
• Landscaping Maintenance: Utilizing drought-tolerant plants, native plants are preferred, optimizing irrigation, and eliminating the use of chemical pesticides and opted for organic fertilizers.

The role of maintenance in green buildings

Maintenance plays a vital role in preserving the sustainability of green buildings. Proper maintenance not only enhances the longevity of building systems but also contributes to energy efficiency and reduced operational costs. Key aspects include:

• Preserving Environmental Integrity: Minimising the environmental impact of building operations.
• Improving Building Performance: Ensuring optimal energy efficiency and water conservation.
• Enhancing Occupant Health and Well-being: Providing a healthy and comfortable indoor environment.
• Protecting Building Assets: Extending the lifespan of building components and reducing maintenance costs.
• Meeting Sustainability Goals: Achieving and maintaining green building certifications (e.g. GBI, LEED, Green Star).

Current situation of green building maintenance in Southeast Asia

While green building construction is on the rise in Southeast Asia, the implementation of effective green building maintenance practices is still evolving.

Challenges:

• Limited awareness and understanding of green building maintenance best practices.
• Lack of skilled personnel trained in green building maintenance techniques.
• Difficulty in tracking and analyzing environmental performance data.
• Limited access to sustainable maintenance products and services.

Opportunities:

• Growing demand for sustainable buildings and green building certifications.
• Increasing focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors.
• Potential for innovation and development of region-specific green building maintenance solutions.

Issues in current green building maintenance

Several issues hinder effective green building maintenance such as:

• Inefficient Data Management: Manual record-keeping and lack of data analysis hinder the identification of areas for improvement.
• Reactive Maintenance: Focus on addressing problems after they occur, leading to increased costs and downtime.
• Lack of Proactive Sustainability Measures: Limited implementation of preventive maintenance tasks to optimize energy and water usage.
• Difficulty in Tracking Environmental Performance: Challenges in measuring and monitoring key environmental indicators.

Leveraging technology for green building maintenance

Technology can significantly enhance green building maintenance practices. An increased number of organisations now move towards smart facilities management software instead of a legacy CMMS. The benefits include:

• Centralized Data Management: Streamline data collection, storage, and analysis.
• Preventive Maintenance Scheduling: Plan and schedule regular maintenance tasks to prevent equipment failures and optimize performance.
• Inventory Management: Track the usage of sustainable materials and reduce waste.
• Performance Monitoring: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to energy, water, and waste.
• Work Order Management: Efficiently manage work orders, assign tasks, and track progress.
• Mobile Access: Enable technicians to access information and update records on-site.

A flexible and customised software specifically designed for green building maintenance will enable organisations to:

• Energy Monitoring Integration: Integrate with energy meters to track real-time energy consumption and identify areas for improvement.
• Water Usage Tracking: Monitor water consumption and identify leaks or inefficiencies.
• Waste Management Tracking: Track waste generation and recycling rates to improve waste diversion.
• Sustainability Dashboards: Generate customized reports and dashboards to visualize environmental performance data.

Facility managers can optimise their maintenance practices while adhering to sustainability goals by leveraging a smart facilities management software.

Conclusion

Green building maintenance is essential for ensuring that environmentally friendly structures continue to operate efficiently. The current situation in Southeast Asia highlights significant opportunities for improvement through training, standardisation, and technology adoption. Although there are a lot more to do.

Implementing a smart facilities management software can facilitate this transition by providing the tools needed to manage sustainable maintenance practices effectively. By embracing these solutions, organisations can contribute to a greener future while enhancing their operational efficiency.

Also, check out our article where we explain about sustainability in facility management industry for Southeast Asia: Infinity Wave