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THE BRIEFING
Technology
Optimising Energy Efficiency in your building facility MIDDLE EAST
Kevin Laidler, MEA sales director for Armstrong Fluid Technology, says that energyefficient upgrades for HVAC systems are vital to creating safer, stronger and more sustainable spaces in our cities June 2021 | MEConstructionNews.com
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uilding facilities represent a major portion of energy consumption in the built environment, responsible for about 40% of all energy usage, and a similar proportion of greenhouse gas emissions. As our cities continue to grow, so does the carbon footprint of our buildings. Fortunately, however, governments and industry leaders are now placing sustainability at the heart of initiatives for urban development, helping mitigate the environmental impact of building projects. In the Middle East region in particular, sustainability is the driving force behind plans for urban development. The Dubai Master Plan 2040, for example, outlines efforts to make Dubai one of the greenest cities in the world through transformations in construction,
transportation, and infrastructure. Every building has a role to play in supporting sustainable development, and the performance of HVAC systems is key to determining the environmental impact of a building, since they account for about 35% of total building energy consumption. As we work towards the ‘greening’ of our cities, the integration of sustainable practices into the construction industry is no longer a value-added benefit, but rather a requirement for projects to gain acceptance and succeed. Energy management is one such practice, which is vital to the building services industry. Energy management involves proactive performance tracking, management, and optimization of energy consumption in a building, all with the intent of optimizing energy efficiency. Energy management focuses
40% of all energy usage in the built environment comes from building facilities
