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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 3
KNOWLEDGE OVER BUDGET SOURCE
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 4
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 5
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 6
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 7
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 8
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 9
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 10
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 11
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 12
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 13
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 14
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 15
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 16
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 17
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 18
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?
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 19
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 20
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 21
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 22
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 23
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 24
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 25
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 26
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 27
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 28
PRIMARY ROLE
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 29
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 30
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 31
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 32
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 33
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
10 years to less than 15 years
15 years to less than 20 years
20 years or more
Refused
INSTITUTION SIZE
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 34
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 35
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 36
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 37
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
Survey of Higher Education Facilities Managers 39
Guy Washer
Managing Director
Tel: +441732 356399
Mob: +447872 024910
www.redshiftresearch.co.uk
Paul Watts
Associate Director
Tel: +441732 356427
Mob: +447880 761634
www.redshiftresearch.co.uk