Jones Lang LaSalle Reports on Driving Energy Efficiency at Industrial Properties

(3BL Media) Chicago - September. 5, 2012 – Companies in the industrial sector are recognizing the importance of energy efficiency as a cost-savings method at their energy-intense sites, according to the Jones Lang LaSalle white paper “Manufactured Energy Savings,” released in August. More than ever, these companies rely on sustainability-minded property management teams for value-driven and innovative solutions to reduce consumption and, in turn, operational expenses.

“Industrial real estate dominates much of the energy consumption throughout the United States,” said Brenda Crisp, Senior Vice President and National Industrial Property Management Lead in Chicago.  “Management teams with solid knowledge of energy efficiency can help find energy savings in a number of systems and areas throughout an industrial building, often for no cost or low cost.”

In its Annual Energy Outlook 2012, the U.S. Energy Information Administration found that the industrial sector consumes one-third of the nation’s total delivered energy, and projects that the sector will report the second-largest increase in total primary energy use between 2010 and 2035. That said, identifying and implementing effective solutions to reduce energy will remain a priority for the industry for years to come.

According to Bob Best, Executive Vice President of Chicago operations and Product Lead for Jones Lang LaSalle’s Energy and Sustainability Solutions Group, industrial tenants and investors can cut costs and enhance property values by taking the following measures:

• HVAC: Making basic improvements to HVAC operating practices and systems can reduce energy expenses by 11 percent, on average.
• Lighting: Re-lamping, de-lamping and integrating bi-level lighting, LED lights and daylighting have proven to drastically reduce energy expenses.
• Renewable Energy: Installing rooftop solar panels and ground source heat pumps reduces existing greenhouse gases, supports corporate/tenant sustainability goals and enables building owners to earn roof rent, reduce energy costs and offset building improvement costs.
• Building Envelope: Configuring air control systems at loading docks, reconfiguring loading areas to block air flows with insulated walls and using simple “venting strategies” can minimize air leaking through a building’s roof, walls, windows or doors.
• Process Controls: Auditing air systems, motor controls and water systems to determine efficiency and identify areas for adjustments can lead to savings.

In addition to taking the above steps to increase energy-efficiency, industrial property managers are also leveraging “constant or continual commissioning.” This measure involves predictive analytical software that measures, tracks and adjusts systems and equipment to increase optimization levels,

Recognizing that remote, real-time control increases efficiency and productivity levels at properties, Jones Lang LaSalle developed IntelliCommand. Supported by six global around-the-clock command centers, IntelliCommand revolutionizes how buildings are managed by combining remote smart technology, building operations, expertise and execution that senses equipment issues before they occur. They system alerts engineering professionals who monitor performance and make expert decisions to keep buildings working at peak efficiency at all times.

“This is preventative maintenance at its finest,” Best said. “Using this advanced technology is one of the best ways to control energy use. By addressing equipment issues before they occur, clients save both time and money, as well as maximize efficiency, especially at sites so highly dependent on machinery.”

Technology alone can’t improve the efficiency of industrial buildings, though. Professionals, well-versed in energy efficiency must guide industrial sites to high performance. With more than 1,000 LEED-accredited professionals at Jones Lang LaSalle, industrial clients don’t just benefit from sustainability-minded managers, but from collaboration among managers, the firm’s Project and Development Services Group, and the Energy and Sustainability Solutions Group.

“Thanks to our depth of resources and knowledge about energy efficiency, we can help industrial investors or tenants to consume less energy and lower operating costs,” said Dan Pufunt, President of Property Management for Jones Lang LaSalle. “Further, we can help ensure that efficiency and cost-saving opportunities have a relatively short payback period and enhance a property’s marketability.”

You can learn more about the sustainability savings, performance and innovative research by visiting Jones Lang LaSalle’s Property Management web site. For more news, videos and research resources on Jones Lang LaSalle, please visit Jones Lang LaSalle’s U.S. Media Center web page.

  About Jones Lang LaSalle Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE:JLL) is a financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate. The firm offers integrated services delivered by expert teams worldwide to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying or investing in real estate. With 2011 global revenue of $3.6 billion, Jones Lang LaSalle serves clients in 70 countries from more than 1,000 locations worldwide, including 200 corporate offices.  The firm is an industry leader in property and corporate facility management services, with a portfolio of approximately 2.1 billion square feet worldwide. LaSalle Investment Management, the company’s investment management business, is one of the world’s largest and most diverse in real estate with $47 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.joneslanglasalle.com.