Besides recycling and repurposing, reducing energy consumption and wastage are essential steps to reducing carbon footprint and making the world more sustainable. In the United States, more than a third of commercial and residential energy is wasted.
The US Energy Department defines energy efficiency as using less power to produce the same result. One of the more obvious ways to do it is to switch to efficient household or office appliances, particularly those with Energy Star ratings. These provide up to 20% more savings compared to their non-rated counterparts.
But did you know some companies can help businesses and homes achieve better energy efficiency? Different business models fall under this category, and you’ll find the most common energy efficiency companies in this article.
Energy efficiency auditors and consultants
Energy consultants may work as individuals or under a company to help building owners identify how energy is consumed and wasted within their premises. These professionals are familiar with the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index, the gold standard for inspecting and rating a home’s energy use.
By performing an energy efficiency assessment and audit, consultants can work with owners to explore how they can reduce consumption and costs.
The evaluation may include checking the following residential and commercial fixtures:
- Lighting: Using light-emitting diodes (LED) light instead of incandescent bulbs saves 90% of energy. Price-wise, it’s said to help households save USD$1,000 over 10 years or USD$8.33 per month. Additionally, LED lights can last up to 25 times longer than the latter.
- HVAC system checks: You may also call an energy consultant to check your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for efficiency and possible replacement—especially if your electricity bill has suddenly ballooned and you don’t know why.
Besides checking the main parts of the HVAC system, an energy-efficient company will perform a duct leakage test San Antonio and other energy authorities often require to measure the volume of air the duct system can hold. The more air escapes, the higher the energy loss.
- Insulation: Insulation can also impact energy efficiency because leakages allow air to escape easily. These leakages force your heating and cooling systems to work more forcefully to control the indoor temperature better. Energy efficiency companies can perform a blower door test San Antonio in Texas or other states to know if you need insulation reinforcements or other works like weather-stripping to boost energy efficiency.
- Overall energy use and advice: Professional energy efficiency companies use several pieces of equipment, such as infrared cameras, gas or toxic fumes detectors and smoke pens, blower doors, and moisture meters, to name a few. These are used to test, measure, and inspect energy consumption and wastage in homes and buildings and prevent them from recurring.
Individuals and energy efficiency companies can work with residential and commercial customers to reduce energy costs and shift to more sustainable energy sources like solar panels. These certified HERS raters have undergone accreditation from Residential Energy Services Network, a non-profit organization recognized for creating standards and certifications for building energy efficiency ratings.
Companies offering energy efficiency-as-a-service (EEaaS)
Besides dealing with energy assessments and ratings for compliance, some energy efficiency companies take a step further by helping other businesses procure green energy sources and practice power-saving measures to ensure sustainability.
Such firms offer EEaaS and cover water and electricity consumption management. The International Energy Agency (IEA) foresees a higher demand for renewable energy this year, alongside an increased capacity of 8% or more, reaching almost 320 Gigawatts (GW) versus 295 GW in 2021.
The Department of Energy considers EEaaS as a performance-driven business model where consumers can start their water and energy efficiency activities with zero capital expenses through the following agreements:
- Energy Service Agreement (ESA): In this model, the upfront costs intended for upgrades, construction, and maintenance are shouldered by the energy efficiency service provider, who gets paid based on actual energy savings or other agreed metrics. The ESA payment could either be a percentage of the customer’s utility rate or an amount equivalent to the kilowatt-hour savings.
An ESA typically lasts five to 15 years, and the provider retains the ownership of the equipment. At the end of the contract, the client can extend the agreement, purchase the equipment at lower values, or return it.
- Managed Energy Services Agreement (MESA): In this structure, the service provider is the intermediary between the utility company and the client. The EEaaS firm manages the facility, and bills and energy costs are fixed based on the client’s consumption records.
- Energy subscription agreements: Some energy efficiency companies enter into simpler business agreements with consumers and get paid for the energy output of the equipment installed. For instance, a lumens-as-a-service option is available for clients who want to save exclusively on their exterior and interior lighting. Other subscription models are being explored to customize EEaaS to every consumer’s requirement.
Concluding thoughts
Energy efficiency companies help residential and commercial consumers understand their consumption patterns and identify measures to reduce power needs and wastage. Some companies, like EEaaS providers, may invest in energy equipment to help you with your sustainability goals.
Switching to green energy or achieving power efficiency entails a long-term commitment and a significant investment, although the benefits outweigh the costs. If you’re serious about energy efficiency in your homes and buildings, look for certified professionals and companies near you.
