Public Housing Environmental & Conservation Clearinghouse

Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

Effective O&M is one of the most cost-effective methods for ensuring reliability, safety, and energy efficiency. Inadequate maintenance of energy-using systems is a major cause of energy waste in both the Federal government and the private sector. Improvements to facility maintenance programs can often be accomplished immediately and at a relatively low cost.

O&M is perhaps one of the most overlooked areas where conservation efforts can have a dramatic impact on operating cost and environmental conservation efforts.

O&M items generally require little capital expenditure, but may involve increased time from maintenance staff. Along with implementing other information from this page’s resources you may want to consider re-developing your current Maintenance Plan. A good O&M Plan includes the following key elements.

• Equipment Information: Maintenance staff should have all manufactures’ instructions and manuals to ensure the highest level of preventative maintenance can be performed. It is recommended that all manufacturers’ required or suggested operational checks are performed with frequency according to the developed O&M Plan using quality control.
• Routine Maintenance and Operations Checks: Maintenance should routinely check equipment and systems for proper operation and control settings. As a part of the developed plan control settings should be adjusted for different external environment changes throughout the year.
• Record Keeping: All O&M checks and procedures should be recorded in a designated log book. This practice will help ensure that all necessary O&M items are performed and documented for review.
• Training: Maintenance staff should be trained to operate and maintain equipment. When new systems are installed maintenance staff should be properly trained to operate and maintain the equipment. For larger more complex systems, you may consider contracting a specialty maintenance contract.
• Accountability: For better accountability it is recommended that a single staff person be given the responsibility of ensuring that O&M procedures are being adhered to by all maintenance staff.