Bookmark and Share

Benefits of a Resource Conservation Manager Program

Essential Elements for a Successful Program
Length of an RCM Program
Sustaining an RCM Program
Cost of an RCM Program

The RCM for a small school district saved hundreds of dollars annually by establishing a total-building shutdown policy for vacations and holidays.

The RCM 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 short and long term. A successful RCM program will:

  • Reduce energy, water and solid waste costs through low- or no-cost measures.
    Low-cost projects and changes in operations resulting from resource conservation management have proven to reduce costs about 10 percent. Some of the funds that once went to pay for garbage disposal, energy, water and sewer can be redirected to deferred maintenance programs, an RCM’s salary and other needs.
  • Track resource use, costs and revenues promptly.
    Using resource accounting software, your RCM can analyze billing data to identify 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. RCMs use proven communication and education strategies to heighten efficiency awareness among operations staff, management and occupants.
  • Identify cost-effective and efficient capital projects.
    Cost-effective capital projects can be identified through resource tracking, facility audits and an improved understanding of each facility's operations. Budget forecasting can also be simplified 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 that your organization is carefully and successfully managing resources. Use resource tracking tools to document the progress of your efficiency efforts and show how the improvements benefit the general public.
  • 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 to support your program efforts.

Essential Elements for a Successful Program

Every RCM program is unique, but most successful programs share these common elements: 

Management Commitment

The willingness of management to invest in a resource conservation program is vital to its success. This includes a strong policy outlining program goals and responsibilities and highlighting management commitment. Commitment is strengthened when the policy statement and implementation plan are in writing. It is also essential to have a "champion" from the management team who shepherds the RCM's efforts through administrative channels.

Resource Conservation Manager

A qualified RCM is the key player in a successful resource conservation program. The RCM needs adequate tools and a structure that supports this effort, such as:

  • An explicit schedule and authority for doing RCM tasks
  • A computer to write reports, build spreadsheets, operate resource accounting software and communicate with other RCMs
  • Communication tools, including telephone, Internet and email
  • Access to tools for measuring performance of facility systems
  • Freedom to move throughout all buildings
  • Access to billing records and building architectural plans

Clear task assignments and time allocations are also important for an RCM. The RCM’s responsibility, especially during the first year, is enormous and he or she needs the freedom and the tools necessary to meet program goals.

Custodial and Maintenance Staff Involvement

The RCM program cannot succeed without the involvement of custodial and maintenance staff, who offer unique insights about how a facility operates. Give them a stake in the program's success by allocating a share of the RCM program savings for deferred maintenance projects, tools and training.

Recognition of Achievements

The RCM should work with management to establish a recognition program to reward good savings and results. When presented with appropriate fanfare, awards are powerful motivators. Another powerful incentive is to share a portion of the savings with those responsible for achieving them.

Patience

Resource-use reductions and financial savings will not occur overnight. All involved, from the RCM to maintenance staff to managers, must have patience to allow the work to be done correctly and consistently. Sufficient preparation, organization and research are fundamental to a successful start. As preparation turns into action, savings become possible. Depending on the size of your facilities and your commitment to the program, preparation could take anywhere from one to six months. After that, you can begin to reap the rewards.

Length of an RCM Program

While savings from an RCM Program may begin to accrue after six months, a full-time RCM will stay have plenty to do for at least two years in an organization that spends a million dollars per year on utility costs. That level of involvement may decline naturally after the resource accounting system is fully operational, facility audits and reports are completed and facility operating guidelines are instituted. Capital efficiency projects could be scheduled beyond the initial two-year period.

After three years or so, the RCM's workload may be significantly reduced. By then, the work may focus on data entry and analysis, periodic routine reports, facility surveys, and training/education refreshers. Ongoing occupant and management feedback is crucial throughout the life of the RCM program, as is recognition for continued or maintained improvements.

Sustaining an RCM Program

A sustained effort is needed to maintain the savings identified by the RCM program. At a minimum, a sustained program must include:

  • Consistent tracking and analysis of resource consumption and services
  • Monitoring energy purchases and facility operations
  • Monthly and/or quarterly monitoring of program components (recycling efforts and facility surveys)
  • Promotion and communication of program status (newsletters, bulletin boards, presentations, reports to facility operators and administrators)
  • Recognition of efforts (awards, certificates of achievement, acknowledgement in newsletters)

Without this minimum level of effort, the efficiencies gained by the RCM program could soon be lost. Changes in key personnel as well as reorganization or changes in management can also greatly impact an RCM program.

A successful RCM program will eventually evolve into simply maintaining savings and reduced resource consumption.

Cost of an RCM Program

The annual salary of a full-time RCM can range from $50,000-$100,000, depending on experience and qualifications. The program’s first-year savings can be used to pay that salary. By the end of the second year, savings will likely approach two or three times the cost of the RCM program. After that, some level of involvement is needed to maintain savings to continue to free your budget of avoidable resource expenditures.

Additional costs include:

  • Resource accounting software: $500-$4,000 (depending on size and complexity of the organization)
  • Computer and printer: $2,000
  • Light meter and miscellaneous tools: $300
  • Incentives and recognition program expenses 
  • Staff training