In recent years, innovations in energy efficiency technology has opened many new avenues to reduce electric consumption in buildings.
But it is hard for building owners to keep up with these developments, analyze which options are most cost effective, and decide how best to invest their money. An increasingly popular method to implement energy efficiency technology is called “energy efficiency as a service.”
A typical arrangement consists of a building owner and a provider striking an agreement that pays for energy efficiency projects. The building owner does not pay anything upfront. The owner makes payments in installments within a certain timeframe. Payments are in the form of savings in energy costs realized from the improvements.
Bentley Mills, a manufacturer of commercial carpet products, employed this technique to fund a $1.5 million energy efficiency project. The contract stated that over the course of the 8-year term, Bentley would save over 12.8 million kWh. One year after the project was completed, the plant measured a 21% decrease in the kWh per square yard manufactured while increasing sales growth by 9% during the same time.
Related Stories
HVAC | Feb 6, 2015
ASHRAE, REHVA publish guide to chilled beam systems
The guide provides tools and advice for designing, commissioning, and operating chilled-beam systems.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2015
AGC working with EPA on website to help with environmental rule compliance
The goal is for the site to be improved to make it easier for construction contractors to learn how to comply with federal and state environmental guidelines.
| Feb 2, 2015
New York law requires informing firefighters of wood truss construction
New York enacted a law that could make firefighting a bit safer by mandating property owners inform government and first-responders when they build or rehabilitate a building using "truss-type" pre-engineered wood or timber.
| Jan 14, 2015
Ontario code changes boost accessibility for people with disabilities
The new amended Ontario building code includes several provisions that improve accessibility for those with disabilities.
| Jan 14, 2015
American Concrete Institute releases Spanish edition of structural concrete code
New York City last year adopted the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommendation to require additional exit stairways in high-rise buildings.
| Jan 14, 2015
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act renewed
President Barack Obama signed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act law on Jan. 12.
| Jan 9, 2015
Academy of Art in San Francisco under fire for code violations
The fast-growing Academy of Art is under intense scrutiny by the City of San Francisco for code violations.
| Jan 9, 2015
New law mandates storm shelters in Illinois schools
An Illinois law took effect on Jan. 1 that requires all new and remodeled schools to have storm shelters.
| Jan 9, 2015
New OSHA regulations on reporting workplace deaths, hospitalizations take effect
As of Jan. 1, all employers under the jurisdiction of OSHA are required to report all work-related fatalities within eight hours and all in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and losses of an eye within 24 hours.
| Jan 9, 2015
Zoning policy makes Bethesda, Md., a model walkable suburb
In sharp contrast to most suburban communities in the Washington, D.C. area, Bethesda, Md., stands out as a fine exemplar of the new urbanism ethos.
