More and more people are getting it. The recent revolution in energy technology makes upgrades for a building not just the right “green” move, but also one of the smartest ways to invest money. Returns on investment of 15%, 20%, and much more per year can be achieved for a smart upgrade. Much better than you can get at a bank or on Wall Street, with no risk of loss!
However, some facility managers want to pursue this in a rush-rush manner. Go to the store, buy some new lights or controls or other items and just replace in kind for the reduced usage or wattage without determining the needs or the applications.
This is counterproductive. Changing lights, improving insulation, upgrading HVAC are the opportunities to take a deeper look at your building. Building functions change over time. People are moved to different areas; different activities occur; different equipment brought in. Therefore, your energy needs and demand will change, too.
It is important to take the time when you decide to make your energy upgrade to plan beforehand. For example, is the lighting you have now right for your workers, shoppers, etc.? Is the right amount of light being applied to desks or product being sold, etc., and less in other areas (but enough to be safe)? Just lowering wattage for the same type of light will not help or enhance your operations. Therefore, it is also important to invest money in lighting design. Bring in a professional lighting designer or one with experience in this area (there is now a new Certification in Lighting Design: CLD). Yes, you’ll spend some additional money, but you’ll definitely get it back in improved sales, more productive and less stressed employees, etc., on top of your energy cost savings. Get the right professionals involved early for other energy upgrades, too.
In fact, it is also critical to get the right people involved in your initial energy evaluation or audit, as well. The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has many certification programs for professionals in the energy area, including Certified Energy Managers (CEMs), Certified Energy Auditors (CEAs), and retrocommissioning professionals (EBCP). I am pleased to say that I am a CEM and an EBCP, and I can tell you the training and amount of information I had to learn to pass the exams was great and comprehensive. In fact, AEE programs are gaining greater respect in the energy world, as CEM is the first program to receive recognition from the US DOE as aligning with their Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines and has also achieved ANSI accreditation.
The recognition by the US DOE elevates the importance of the CEM credential for evaluating your property. You should make sure that you don’t do your energy upgrade yourself or use just a run-of-the-mill person who claims to be an energy expert. At a minimum, the professional who oversees your energy upgrades should have a CEM or CEA certification. After all, you would not go to someone to do your taxes who is not experienced and certified, right? You would not go to a doctor or dentist for advice on a health matter who is not properly degreed and trained, right? Therefore, you should only trust your energy management with the great cost savings and productivity gain potential to experienced, recognized professionals.
CCES has the expertise and experience to perform comprehensive professional energy assessments and audits for diverse building types to provide a complete picture of not just your current energy usage, but also provide multiple energy conservation measures to help you reduce usage and demand and maximum benefits, through incentives and financing, as well. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.