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*Median figures from a 2009 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Commissioning Study

Testimonials

Energy Audits and Retro-Commissioning

Multifamily | Commercial | Schools | Religious | Industrial

CEC performs detailed energy audits, creates retro-commissioning studies, and creates advanced energy models in order to deliver cost-effective energy efficiency solutions for our clients.

Energy Audit versus Retro-Commissioning Study

When CEC performs an Energy Audit, one of our energy efficiency experts inspects the building’s energy systems (including the envelope) to to develop recommendations for cost-effective retrofits or new equipment.  The new or upgraded equipment (insulation, chillers, etc.) will make your facility much more efficient and will save you money on utility bills.

A Retro-Commissioning Study, unlike an Energy Audit, is an analysis of the function of the existing systems: are they operating properly, or wasting energy?  For example, is the building over-ventilated, therefore heating or cooling much more air than necessary?  Are common area lights, exhaust fans, or other equipment on when it’s not necessary, raising the building’s electricity bills as a result?  Are the boilers properly calibrated to run at their peak efficiency?  These are just some of the things that a retro-commissioning study analyzes.

Savings Potential

The most important factor in energy efficiency is Payback Period, or the amount of time it takes for the savings in your utility bills  to pay for the investment  in new equipment or retrofits.  Payback periods of less than 8 years are considered good, and less than 4 years is considered excellent.  CEC always calculates the payback period when making recommendations to allow you to make an informed investment decision.  Retro-commissioning improvements are often operational changes and do not require purchasing new equipment.  Some investments are smaller (like lighting) and some are larger (like boilers), but they all share a common characteristic:  they will improve cash flow immediately and create substantial savings over the life of the equipment.

Incentives Available

Government incentives can turn a good financial decision into a great financial decision.  Many incentives are available through NYSERDA (for buildings in New York), as well as other government agencies, utilities, or community groups.  Incentives generally fall into two categories:  1) incentives to create an energy efficiency study and 2) incentives to buy energy efficient equipment.  Contact us today for help in finding incentives that can turn a good decision a great one.

Different Audit Levels

Walkthrough Audit	A CEC energy efficiency expert will visit your facility and do a ‘walk-through’ audit with the facilities manager or other representitive.  At the end of the walk-through, the CEC energy efficiency expert will leave a checklist report of recommendations for either further study, or immediate implementation.  Typical Cost:  $650
Basic Audit	After a Walk-through Audit, the CEC energy efficiency expert will return to our offices to create a summary report calculating estimated benefits and paybacks using our custom tools.  Typical Cost: $3,000-$5,000
Advanced Audit:	A CEC energy efficiency expert will perform a detailed facility inspection, create a comprehensive set of recommendations, and create an advanced energy model to analyze the recommendations and prepare cost/benefit estimates and payback periods.  Typical Cost: $15,000-$40,000 (These studies are often qualified for significant incentives.  Call us to get more info.)

Construction Management and Oversight

Making sure that the equipment is installed correctly is just as important as making the step to perform an energy study.  CEC can perform construction management or construction oversight to manage or inspect the process, and ensure that you realize the savings that you expect.

Measurement and Verification (M&V)

It is often said that “What gets measured gets improved.”  Energy is no different.  M & V is always a powerful tool to bring improvements and accountability to energy usage.  It can also help you to achieve a LEED credit.