| |
Benefits
What are the benefits of an RCM Program?
- The Resource Conservation Manager for a small school district saved hundreds of dollars annually by establishing a total-building shutdown policy for vacations and holidays.
- The Resource Conservation Manager for a city government learned that the city was unknowingly paying for water being used by a non-city organization.
- A business found a way to divert four tons of metal scrap each week from the landfill and made money doing it.
Resource Conservation Management can offer your organization numerous benefits, both in the short and long term. A successful RCM program will:
- Reduce energy, water and solid waste costs through low- or no-cost measures.
The RCM program will save money for your organization. Operations changes and low-cost projects resulting from resource conservation management have proven to reduce costs 10 to 15 percent. Some of the funds that once went to pay for garbage disposal, energy, water and sewer can be redirected to deferred maintenance programs and other needs.
- Track resource use, costs and revenues promptly.
A primary responsibility of the Resource Conservation Manager is to itemize and track resource use in all aspects of your organization. Using resource accounting software, your Resource Conservation Manager can analyze billing data to identify billing errors, select better rate schedules, track down inefficient equipment, locate hidden water leaks and institute efficient operational procedures. Once established, resource accounting can be used to set savings goals for your organization and forecast resource budgets.
- Stimulate resource efficiency interest among staff and occupants.
Efficiency thrives on good communication. Resource Conservation Managers use proven in-house communication and education strategies to heighten efficiency awareness among operations staff, management and occupants.
- Identify cost-effective and efficient capital projects.
Through resource tracking, facility audits and gaining a good understanding of each facility's operations, a Resource Conservation Manager can help to identify cost-effective capital projects. RCMs can also simplify your budget forecasting because anticipated savings can be calculated in advance and documented during post-project operations.
- Demonstrate responsible resource use to the public.
Almost everyone can use some good public relations. When budgets get tight, show your organization is carefully and successfully managing resources efficiently. Resource tracking will document the progress of your efficiency efforts. You can show how the improvements benefit the general public too.
- Leverage human resources.
Utilities, local government services, state government and federal agencies all have tools, services and, in some cases, funding that can be used in your RCM program efforts
|
Funding for this project is provided by
Washington Department of Community Trade and Economic Development
with funds from the US Department of Energy State Energy Program.
|
|
Resource Conservation Management
WSU Extension Energy Program
905 Plum Street SE
Olympia, WA 98504-3165
Phone: (360) 956-2090
Email:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
