Three60 Communities, a leading provider of management services to premium residential and commercial communities, said it has recorded year-on-year energy and water savings to the tune of Dh4.75 million ($1.3 million) in the first nine months of 2019 through the implementation of key initiatives.

A subsidiary of UAE-based Eltizam Asset Management Group, Three60 Communities pointed out that driven by a dual strategy to drive cost savings and minimalize environmental impact, the coordinated effort has produced extremely positive results across the entire portfolio of communities during 2019.

Utility consumption represents the most significant single component of property operating and maintenance costs in the GCC region, often reaching 30-40% of the total cost budget.

In line with this, Three60 Communities worked with its FM partners to implement innovative solutions that have led to water, chilled water and electricity usage decrease across more than 20 different communities in the UAE.

In total, 10 locations recorded power consumption reduction, nine achieved sharp drop in water consumption and a further four saw a decline in chilled water usage for a combined savings of Dh4.75 million, said the statement from Eltizam Asset Management Group.

The single biggest impact was on an iconic multi-use high rise community in DIFC where a total of Dh2.4 million was saved as a result of an extensive retrofit project that included the installation of multiple energy and water efficiency measures.

In terms of electricity, a set of energy conservation measures was implemented by the Three60 Communities team working with each community’s facilities management partner.

These measures include: monitoring and controlling lighting use in parking and common areas with only essential lighting at night; Optimising HVAC operating parameters to maintain desired air temperature, by switching off fresh air handling (FAHU) units after the office hours in commercial buildings; Changing the day/night temperature settings of FAHU per ambient temperature and also controlling the chilled water flow by adjusting the variable-frequency drive (VFD) parameters.

Eltizam Asset Management Group COO Mohammed Alsharaf said: "In 2019, Three60 Communities has set the standard for all companies under the Eltizam umbrella with regards to energy savings and giving back to society by reducing negative environmental impact."

"Ultimately, we want to make a strong contribution to the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. The strategy aims to increase the contribution of clean energy in the total energy mix from 25 per cent to 50 per cent by 2050 and reduce carbon footprint of power generation by 70 percent by the same year," stated Alsharaf.

"Through the foundations that continue to be laid, Eltizam and our subsidiaries will be heavily involved in the national effort and I am proud of the efforts being demonstrated by everyone in all departments," he noted.

Three60 Group GM Alan Rowlands said: "We are very proud to have achieved these energy savings and are even more delighted when considering the figures recorded exceeded our set annual targets."

"Lower energy use not only helps reduce our communities’ environmental footprint (by way of reducing burning of fossil fuels and resulting CO2 emissions), but directly contributes to lowering the operating costs of the communities which we manage," he noted.

"This allows owners associations to invest in community improvements and ensure continuity of services within their communities," he added.

Rowlands said: "As one of the region’s largest, most reputable and highly qualified owner’s association management (OAM) companies, we strive to build sustainable communities and benchmark ourselves against the best in the business while maintaining the highest international standards."

"In managing every aspect of a real estate development, we provide clients and residents with a happy community in which they can live, work and play. We look forward to retaining the high levels of their satisfaction and enhancing our services even further in the coming years," he added.-TradeArabia News Service