As this is written, the US is debating when and how to re-open businesses to bounce back economically yet maintain safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. While public health and economic experts debate strategies, eventually, businesses will re-open. Good energy management should be a part of the plan for any business. A smart energy conservation program has the following major advantages:

1. It is crucial to cut costs. For nearly all businesses, revenue will be slow to recover. With, sadly, many deaths and high unemployment, there are simply fewer customers to sell to. Thus, cutting costs is crucial to have any chance to make a profit or be viable. Being energy smart is a proven way to reduce expenses. What’s particularly powerful is that one-time actions to reduce energy usage and demand save costs year after year. After all, it’s not like after year 1, you’ll put back in the old, inefficient equipment! Energy conservation has a great ROI and a continual source of cost savings!

2. Financial advantages of being certifiably green. Consider raising the level of your building to LEED or Energy Star-certified. Studies have shown:
o 5-16% rental premium
o 6-31% sales price premium
o 3-6% occupancy rate increase

3. Competition for commercial tenants. Many predict that commercial building occupancy rates will drop in the future as more firms will allow staff to work from home. That means reduced occupancy and more competition to attract tenants. One way to beat the competition is with an energy efficient building allowing a landlord to charge less or, if the tenant pays utilities, reduce their expenses, a good way to attract those who must minimize costs. Plus, smart energy upgrades raise a building’s sales price.

4. Good for sustainability reports. More companies are compiling and posting sustainability reports and scorecards. More energy efficient workspaces, whether leased or owned, are big steps to showing positive results to stakeholders.

5. Others will foot part of the upfront costs. Many companies do not have or are reluctant to spend the needed funds upfront on energy upgrades. While our focus is on COVID-19, many parts of the country also have energy management concerns. Utilities and governments have reason to offer financial incentives to those that do energy upgrades, often paying as much as half the upfront cost. What a great opportunity to get a high ROI, attract more tenants, with others pay some of the upfront costs!

CCES has the technical experts to help you upgrade your energy systems in a smart and financially beneficial manner. We know incentives and can get you the greatest package you qualify for. We can not only tell you where it is best to upgrade, but we can project manage the upgrade to maximize the benefits with the least disruption. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.