Commercial and industrial facilities contain heavy-duty equipment and machinery. If they are not properly maintained, they will develop problems or malfunctions that will be expensive to repair. Furthermore, improper maintenance will shorten the lifespan of the equipment, which means you will have to purchase new equipment sooner rather than later.

Preventative maintenance is the key to long-term cost savings because it involves executing proactive maintenance strategies to minimize unexpected repairs, extend equipment lifespan, and save money over time. The upfront cost associated with preventative maintenance is minimal compared to the long-term cost savings. Every facility manager and owner should invest in preventative maintenance to maximize equipment use and minimize repair expenses.

Here is an overview of the top five ways preventative maintenance can significantly save costs over time.  

1) Reduce the Risk of Expensive Emergency Repairs

Emergencies arise when machines and systems unexpectedly break down because they hinder your operations and productivity until you resolve them.

For instance, if you don’t periodically change the filters in your HVAC system or replace lubricant and oil in your heavy-duty machinery, it could result in more expensive emergency repairs. The high cost of new components and labor can result in many thousands of dollars in repairs. There could even be some collateral damage in your equipment or systems if one faulty part causes damage to other components.

Routine maintenance will handle minor tasks to reduce the risk of expensive emergency repairs. You don’t need to do these tasks yourself because you can schedule a facility manager to do them for you. That way, you can focus on running your business and making it successful.  

2) Prolong the Lifespan of Your Facility’s Equipment and Systems

Preventative maintenance prolongs the longevity of your facility’s machinery, equipment, vehicles, systems, and infrastructure. Even though they won’t last forever, you can still maximize their usage and delay costly replacements by keeping up with all the scheduled maintenance tasks. Following the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations is certainly something you could integrate into your preventative maintenance plans.  

Routine inspections are the key to extending the lifespan of your equipment and systems. They will ensure everything complies with regulatory standards to uphold the health and safety of your facility. A facility manager will inspect the following to promote longevity in your building:

• Lubrication and oil levels
• Parts and components
• Plumbing
• HVAC systems
• Electrical systems
• Lighting systems

Most inspections will likely pass without any problems. However, if a problem is detected, it will be inexpensive to fix before it exacerbates and shortens the equipment’s lifespan.

3) Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Facility’s Equipment and Systems

Energy prices are skyrocketing out of control. Since facilities depend on energy to run all their equipment and systems, managers must look for energy-efficient solutions to reduce monthly utility costs.

Planned preventative maintenance significantly focuses on improving efficiency throughout the facility. Maintaining the equipment and systems is the main factor in improving the efficiency of your facility’s operations. That would involve the following tasks:

• HVAC System Maintenance – Cleaning or replacing the clogged coils and dirty air filters in the HVAC systems. Adding more refrigerant if the current levels are low. All these actions will reduce the stress on the HVAC systems, which means they will consume less energy.
• Equipment Maintenance – Your machines and equipment consume less energy when replacing faulty parts and lubricating promptly. Calibrating the equipment to improve its performance will improve energy efficiency, too.
• Building Maintenance – Cleaning the air ducts, sealing leaks, and maintaining the plumbing and electrical systems are just some of the building maintenance tasks that will lower your electricity bills.

Investing in energy efficiency solutions will be well worth the long-term cost savings.

4) Enhance the Safety of Your Facility’s Equipment and Systems

Facilities in most industries must abide by strict regulatory requirements to ensure they remain safe for their employees. Part of these regulatory requirements include equipment and system maintenance to reduce the risk of workplace accidents. After all, if someone were injured on the job in your facility, it could lead to legal penalties and civil damages that cost you enormous amounts of money.

Executing a preventative maintenance plan will ensure your equipment and systems remain safe for your employees to use. That way, you can comply with regulatory requirements and avoid any legal and civil liabilities from noncompliance.

Here are some of the ways that preventative maintenance can keep your facility safe for its workers:

• Reducing equipment malfunctions that could injure someone in the immediate area
• Routine HVAC maintenance to improve air quality by eliminating dust and debris from the air
• Improved fire safety by ensuring the electrical wiring and fire extinguishing systems are in check
• Identifies potential hazards before they cause harm to someone, such as structural deficiencies, loose electrical wiring, and worn-out components.

5) Maintain Productivity and Reduce Downtime in Your Operations

An unexpected breakdown of a machine or system will create downtime in your operations, resulting in lower productivity and efficiency. Preventative maintenance can reduce the risk of downtime and low productivity by maintaining the equipment and systems to ensure they don’t break down unexpectedly.

For example, suppose you run a manufacturing facility, and one of the leading conveyor belts on the assembly line suddenly breaks down due to a lack of maintenance. The downtime from that one faulty conveyor belt could reduce your company’s productivity for days, leading to substantial operational costs.

Planned preventative maintenance should involve routine maintenance on all mechanical and digital systems to improve their longevity and efficiency. This includes electrical systems, motors, belts, filters, computer servers, HVAC systems, and anything else you depend on to sustain your operations.  

Hire a Professional

Do you need planned preventative maintenance services for your facility? Tier1FM is a professional facility management company that specializes in these services. A qualified facility manager can create a custom preventative maintenance plan to improve the efficiency and longevity of your facility’s equipment and systems.