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
Codes and Standards | Aug 10, 2020
Concrete Institute and Post-Tensioning Institutes expand partnership
Will collaborate on new structural post-tensioned concrete code requirements.
Codes and Standards | Aug 6, 2020
SpeedCore demonstrates excellent fire resistance without additional fire-protective coatings
New York City approves metal-concrete product for all five boroughs.
Codes and Standards | Aug 5, 2020
Designing, redeveloping communities for zero energy needed to address climate change
District heating and cooling systems boost efficiency.
Codes and Standards | Aug 4, 2020
Virginia is the first state to adopt COVID-19 worker safety rules
Include social distancing requirements, notifications when co-worker tests positive, timelines to return to work after recovery.
Codes and Standards | Aug 3, 2020
Report aids local governments on policy options, pathways to electrify new buildings
Document focuses on switching appliances and equipment away from natural gas, propane.
Codes and Standards | Jul 30, 2020
Institute for Market Transformation acquires Energy-Efficient Codes Coalition
Goal is to achieve net-zero construction by 2050.
Codes and Standards | Jul 29, 2020
Crackdowns grow on construction firms that fail to follow COVID-19 guidelines
States, cities, and OSHA enforce social distancing, hand-washing regulations.
Codes and Standards | Jul 28, 2020
California utility adopts climate emergency declaration
Sacramento-region company commits to working towards carbon neutrality by 2030.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2020
Updated Energy Plus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools released
Software offers performance enhancements.
Codes and Standards | Jul 23, 2020
North Carolina will stop relying on FEMA flood mapping
State will identify flood zones on its own.
