A few updates to your maintenance plan could have a huge bottom-line impact.
Routine maintenance such as swapping out a worn water valve could end up being a significant project. Perhaps the aging pipe, which is already corroded, fails two days later. What was a small job becomes a major downtime event.
In 2026, the difference between that valve swap and failure is often data. You need to see what’s coming before it happens.
Preventative maintenance isn’t just about fixing what’s broken before it breaks; it’s about strengthening the reliability and safety of your facility, cutting costs, and turning your operations into a strategic advantage.
A 545% Return on Investment
Not all investments are good ones, but when it comes to preventative maintenance, it’s a pretty sure bet that your investment will pay off.
Studies have shown that every $1 of maintenance deferred could quadruple costs later. Other studies show that for every $1 invested in preventive maintenance, businesses can see a return of up to $10 in savings from repairs and downtime. Predictive maintenance not only pays for itself, but results in an average 545% return on investment.
HVAC-specific preventative maintenance shows expected profit increases of more than 210% compared to reactive maintenance, lowering total maintenance costs by as much as 50%.
Between reduced downtime, longer equipment lifespans, increased energy efficiency, and lower cost compared to repairs, preventative maintenance saves businesses in the short- and long-term.
Preventive Maintenance Best Practices for 2026
While many tried-and-true tactics remain sound, preventive maintenance is now a discipline that requires the support of data.
Here are just a handful of practices to review with your facilities services partner.
| Best Practice | Essential Updates for 2026 |
| Daily walkthroughs and inspections | Technology, including smart sensors and AI, can give you both the predictive analytics and real-time data you need to assist you in identifying even the smallest deviations from “normal.” |
| Scheduled maintenance | Instead of waiting for downtime to squeeze in recurring maintenance tasks, shift toward condition-based lifecycle planning. For example, “replace filters when pressure differential spikes.” |
| Data feedback loops | Make sure all your data is being used to train your system to better predict maintenance needs and schedules. |
| Parts optimization | Order and reorder parts when you know you’ll need them versus waiting to rush orders when it’s too late. |
| Energy and efficiency assessments | Schedule recurring energy audits to pinpoint when performance is lagging and make adjustments to optimize. |
Tailoring Best Practices for your Facility
Every organization is unique, so use these best practices as a starting point.
At UG2, we tailor these best practices to your specific needs. For example, we look at CRACs, generators, chillers, RTUs, humidifiers, and more when working with our customers who operate data centers.
No matter your facility, you need a preventative maintenance schedule that allows your teams to stop fighting fires and begin anticipating them.
If you’d like help assessing your current performance, upgrading your approach with smart tools, and incorporating best practices into your preventative maintenance schedule, our team is ready to support you.