The Sustainable Energy Efficient Facility Asset Renewal Assessment:
The SEEFAR(c) Assessment model is based on the flexible, appropriate, structured and transparent standards of the ‘Fast Standard Organization‘ (FAST). The cost analysis techniques used within the SEEFAR(c) model are consistent with the guidelines established by the ‘International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association‘ (ICEAA). The sustainability aspects of the model closely follow the analysis recommendations of the ‘International Society of Sustainability Professionals‘ (ISSP).
The SEEFAR(c) analysis is designed to suit the unique characteristics of an individual client’s property portfolio. The objective of the SEEFAR(c) analysis is to provide the stewards of building portfolios with a flexible, appropriate, structured and transparent capital planning analysis framework which creates a path to optimizing the total cost of building ownership (TCBO).
Typically, between 30% to 40% of the building’s components are energy end-use components, and these components are the main focus of the SEEFAR(c) analysis. The rationale for this focus relates to the fact that combined consumed energy and maintenance costs related to these components (mechanical, electrical, water, waste, and envelope) comprise the major costs associated with ongoing building ownership. In addition, when managed strategically, the savings realized from upgrading energy end-use components can create a continuous ‘revenue’ stream to support M&R costs.
The ‘gate’ to ‘end-of-life’ focus of the SEEFAR(c) analysis is built on a new approach to forecasting energy consumption, based on the concomitant energy savings profile of each energy end-use component. Building on an engineered inventory of concomitant energy savings profiles, the SEEFAR(c) analysis then incorporates a broad series of variables that impact the TCBO, such as:
• Component renewal implementation schedule
• Multiple forms of energy unit consumption
• Unit-specific energy cost increase forecasts
• Annual market cost increase forecasts for ‘supply-and-install’
• Cash flow discount rates
• Cost of capital factors
• Environmental factors
• Occupant wellness factors
• Economic factors
This combined data is then used to build various investment scenarios that best match the capacity of an organization to absorb the facility renewal processes and capital costs. Selected scenarios can then be subjected to a range of risk sensitivity analysis within the SEEFAR(c) model.
The strategic goal of the SEEFAR(c) analysis process is to develop an informed vision of the optimal TCBO, to help stewards understand the true cost of building ownership, and then to narrow the design and planning investment activities toward achievement of the optimal TCBO. Achieving this goal advances portfolio management toward increased resilience, lower risk, and improved sustainability.
The SEEFAR(c) analysis is a bridge to transparent enhancement of facility stewardship.