Although the focus of this page is buildings or building related systems, most of these concepts apply equally well to other energy technologies!
 

#1 - Making the most appropriate decisions

#2 - The benefits of professional assistance

#3 - Will the installation work as intended?

#4 - How to select a professional

#1. Making the most appropriate decisions -

To build a more sustainable use of our energy supplies we must know how to make the most appropriate energy choices. The "most appropriate choices" are those that provide compelling economic and/or environmental benefits. But how can we know our choices are best, given the seemingly infinite range of possibilities out there?

"The most appropriate decisions are those that provide compelling economic and/or environmental benefits."

Which option does it make sense to spend money on for your home: a better window, a solar water heater, more roof insulation, or a high efficiency furnace? Are there still other choices that might save even more energy but cost less money than these options? Are there options that will save far more on energy bills than than they cost in the first place? The answer is "most likely," but to make the best decisions you need to ask (for each option you might consider):

1) How much does it cost?
2) How much will it save?
3) How much will it cost to maintain it?
4) How long will it last?

If you get honest answers to these questions from all the salespeople you speak to, you'll be in a good position to make the right choices. Before making any final decisions, you'll want to be familiar enough with the full range of design options, cost-effective materials and quality services available to be sure you're not missing any of the better choices available.

If you're looking for quick results and have little time right now, visit the Practical Tips page. If you're planning a major investment, such as a building, you'll want to assure your decisions are based on a complete understanding of your best choices.....for this it is wise to get Professional Assistance. You'll avoid the common "penny-wise and pound-foolish," short-term approach to spending money and help the environment too!

Are you a local government decision maker or land planner?
If so, you are in a position of significant responsibility, given the impact your decisions can have on energy use. To appreciate the significance of your decisions on energy use and to learn about sensible energy solutions, pick up a copy of one of the many excellent planning guides available.
 

#2 - The benefits of professional assistance -

Imagine you have a construction project planned, and you've found an excellent architect, builder, and energy consultant to work with. Imagine they all get together to brainstorm how to provide you with a quality building - one that will cost less to build, less to operate, less to maintain, and will be more comfortable than average. Sound dreamy? This sort of scenario is quite real, and is called the "Design Team" approach. It is becoming increasingly common during the planning, designing, and implementation of a wide variety of construction projects because of the many benefits it offers.

"All projects, no matter how large or small, can benefit from some form of 'Design Team' approach."

Although design costs are higher using the Design Team approach, the potential for the team to reduce costs and improve quality are generally "paid for" through the results of this approach. In the typical decision making process, the architect, engineer, contractor, and others involved have little to no interaction. Instead, they work separately from (and frequently at odds with) each other, making it close to impossible to satisfy each others concept of "what works best." With a Design Team approach, the architect can no longer point the finger at the contractor (and vice versa) for things gone awry, because now they're communicating face to face, establishing mutually beneficial project goals than would be impossible otherwise.

All projects, no matter how large or small, can benefit from some form of Design Team approach. For example, consider a small owner builder residential remodel/addition project. The owner builder could schedule one or more "Design Team" meetings using a quality oriented local designer, builder, and/or energy professional(s) to go over his plans and budget. It is quite common for a professional to be able to make suggestions that will save hundreds to thousands of dollars on a construction project, often improving the project in many other ways during the process.

Huge opportunities for improving a projects economic and/or environmental impact can be gained for a comparatively small cost using an energy professional within the context of a Design Team. Once the Design Team has made your project all that it can be, however, one potential stumbling block still remains - will the project get built and perform according to your expectations?
 
 

#3 - Will the installation work as intended?

It is all too common for failure to follow "the best laid plans of mice and men." Construction is an extremely competitive, fast paced industry where speed generally rules over quality. Building owners all too frequently encounter problems with higher than expected energy costs, comfort complaints, equipment failure, and other issues.

Performance Contracting is an excellent way to avoid these problems. Although usually applied to large commercial or industrial buildings, various forms are also used in residential and small commercial buildings. Performance contracts are one of the simplest ways to finance energy efficiency retrofits and new building systems. They are also useful in reducing energy costs, comfort complaints and O&M (operations and maintenance) headaches!

In "pure" form, energy performance contracts are arrangements between building owner(s) and specialized Energy Service Contractors (ESCOs), which offer turnkey Energy Service packages. The ESCO finances and installs the energy efficiency equipment, manages all or part of the energy systems of a building in combination with the facility operator, and monitors the energy consumption of the building regularly to ensure the actual energy savings projections are met.

Many other forms of "performance contracts" exist, and more are surfacing all the time. We can't keep up! Examples we've found include "guaranteed utility bills" offered for home buyers, schools, and companies that have provided performance contracts for all sorts of building. To find such opportunities in your area, try the Energy Guy's Directory & Search Engine links ("search.com" is a favorite). For your search, try different combinations of "key words", in a "base" sort of form, such as "guarantee energy sav home;" in this way, the word "sav" will get a "hit" on the words "save," "saved," and "savings;" likewise, both "guarantee" and "guaranteed" will get a "hit." This technique will help Happy searching!

One of the most attractive features of a performance contract, from the client's point of view, is that the contractor guarantees the performance of the project. The contractor effectively takes the risk of project "non-performance" away from the building owner, and the energy savings cover the cost of the ESCO's services as well as the cost of the energy efficiency equipment.
 
 

#4 - Selecting a professional -

Once you're convinced of the benefits of professional assistance, how do you go about finding a quality professional? When choosing professional services, the best approach is to use someone that did a good job for someone else you know. It is also wise to find two or more (competing) companies and ask them about things such as how long they have been in the business, the cost and extent of their services, and how they think it best to address your needs. Ask them for references and some examples of their past work or, better yet, find this information from some other source. Finally, compare your options and choose the best professional you can afford.

". . . the best approach is to use someone that did a good job for someone else you know."

To find professional assistance in your community:

1) Ask around!

2) Check the yellow page listings under headings such as "Energy
Conservation Products & Services," "Solar Energy Equipment & Systems -
Dealers," and "Solar Energy Equipment & Systems - Service & Repair."

3) Check with your local gas or electric service providers regarding
assistance programs they may have available.

4) Check the Energy Guy's Professional Services Page.