Vert Energy Group

Tag: Energy Audits

  • How Vert Energy Group can help you comply with Local Law 84

    How Vert Energy Group can help you comply with Local Law 84

    Are you looking for help to make sure your business is compliant with Local Law 84 (LL84)? Vert Energy Group has the expertise, skills, and resources to ensure that you are in compliance with this crucial legislation. With years of experience in energy efficiency consulting and project management, we understand how LL84 works and what it requires.

    We can work closely with you so that your business meets all the requirements, from building-wide analyses to designing custom solutions -rest assured, our team will walk you through every step! Moreover, we promise a professional but friendly attitude toward getting the job done properly and on time. Read on to learn more about how Vert Energy Group can assist your building in making sure it complies with LL84.

    What is Local Law 84?

    Local Law 84 (LL84) is a tool that can help energy and water-conscious organizations reduce their energy usage. LL84 requires the city’s largest businesses to track energy and water consumption in order to identify potential energy savings opportunities through an energy audit.

    These energy audits provide businesses with an opportunity to optimize energy usage, improve energy efficiency, and ultimately lower energy bills. Allowing companies to be more sustainable and resourceful with their energy solutions, LL84 helps create a brighter and greener future for us all.

    How to Comply with Local Law 84?

    Locals Law 84, otherwise known as the New York City energy conservation law, requires building owners of existing buildings to track energy consumption data and submit it in an energy benchmark report every other year. This helps to hold property owners accountable and encourages a decrease in energy usage within their respective properties.

    Property owners need to assess energy use according to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Portfolio Manager tool, and from there take steps to optimize energy performance. Energy benchmarking easily aids building owners in making energy decisions and helps keep New York City green.

    How Vert Energy Group can help to comply with LL84

    New York City’s world-renowned Local Law 84 requires building owners to report their energy performance rate annually using a benchmarking tool, with the aim of reducing existing building emissions by 80% by 2050. This is no small feat, yet the Vert Energy Group can help make the journey easier. Our team of experts provide services such as analyzing energy usage data, making recommendations for savings and enhancements, and even help to implement energy efficiency solutions.

    With an established track record of success, the company can deploy a tailored strategy to move your buildings up to defined LL84 standards. From equipment replacements and tenant engagement programs to installing smart sensors and developing efficient operating protocols, the Vert Energy Group can give you key assistance at every step of the process.

    What are Requirements for Local Law 84?

    Local Law 84 is a critical existing energy law in the country. Requiring all existing buildings bigger than 50,000 square feet to report their energy and water usage data each year, it acts as an important measure for reducing emissions. While businesses have many options to choose from, most local authorities and general contractors chose to use Energy Star Portfolio Manager to meet Local Law 84 requirements.

    Moreover, buildings that are able to display significant reductions in their energy and water usage can even become Energy Star certified – demonstrating their commitment to sustainability as well as helping them save on operational costs. Meeting the requirements of Local Law 84 is essential for ensuring an efficient future while continuing to drive progress towards cleaner environment.

    Benefits of Local Law 84

    Here are the benefits of Local Law 84:

    Improved Building Energy Efficiency

    LL84 helps buildings to become more energy efficient due to the benchmarking and mandatory disclosure of building energy performance data. This encourages landlords and building owners to invest in energy efficiency upgrades that can save money over time and reduce their carbon footprint.

    Reduced Operating Costs

    By making buildings more energy efficient, LL84 can help reduce the operating costs of a building. This is especially important for multifamily buildings where tenants are often responsible for paying their own utilities and other operating costs.

    Increased Property Value

    Buildings that have improved their energy efficiency through LL84 will typically be worth more than those without the improvements. This is because energy efficient buildings tend to have lower operating costs and attract more tenants, leading to a higher potential return on investment.

    Improved Health and Safety

    LL84 encourages building owners and landlords to upgrade their buildings with the latest safety features like smoke detectors, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors which can keep occupants safe.

    Increased Tenant Satisfaction

    Improved energy efficiency and added safety features can lead to happier tenants. This means a better living experience for those in the building, as well as greater tenant retention which can be beneficial for landlords and owners.

    Reduced Carbon Footprint

    By encouraging buildings to become more energy efficient, LL84 helps to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the city. This is especially important in urban areas, where buildings account for a significant portion of emissions.

    These are just a few of the benefits that LL84 can provide to both building owners and tenants alike. By taking measures to improve energy efficiency, landlords will be able to save money on operating costs while providing their tenants with a safer and more comfortable living environment. By reducing the city’s carbon footprint, LL84 can also help to contribute to a healthier planet. Overall, it is an important step forward in improving building performance and energy efficiency in the city.

    Step-By-Step Guide to Local Law 84

    Knowing exactly how to use Local Law 84 can be complicated. Fortunately, following these simple steps can help any organization easily adhere to energy performance monitoring and energy star certification standards. First, you’ll want to determine your facility’s baseline energy usage. This information is the basis for comparing energy efficiency improvements over time.

    Second, record energy use data at least annually. If auditing or submetering technology is available, it should be used in situations where energy consumption varies significantly between tenants or areas of the building. Third, calculate energy-use intensity that is consistent with energy star guidelines and track progress with a benchmarking energy envelope each year.

    Finally, publish energy performance information in annual reports or other public documents and submit results to energy star for energy star certification annually. By following these four steps, your organization can easily stay on top of Local Law 84 compliance and lead the way in creating a cleaner future.

    Things To Consider When Complying with LL84

    When complying with Local Law 84, the benchmarking requirements for energy and water consumption, there are a few things that should be considered.

    1. Get Professional Assessment: A professional assessment of your property’s Energy Star score is important in order to understand how much energy it uses and what improvements can be made to make it more efficient. This can help you identify areas where energy savings can be made, so that you meet or exceed the benchmarking requirements of Local Law 84.

    2. Establish A Baseline: Establishing a baseline for your property’s energy and water usage is also important in order to measure progress over time. By tracking these metrics, you can ensure that your property is complying with the requirements of Local Law 84.

    3. Investigate Potential Savings: Once a baseline has been established, it’s important to investigate potential energy and water savings through upgrades or changes in operations. These could include switching to LED lighting, installing insulation, retrofitting older appliances and fixtures, and more.

    4. Take Advantage of Incentives: There are a number of incentives available to help offset the cost of energy-efficiency improvements, such as tax credits and federal grants. Taking advantage of these incentives can help you meet your benchmarking requirements while also saving money in the long run.

    5. Monitor Usage: Finally, monitoring your energy and water usage on an ongoing basis is essential in order to ensure that you are meeting the requirements of Local Law 84. By regularly tracking your property’s consumption, you can make changes or improvements as needed to stay within the guidelines.

    These are just a few of the considerations when it comes to complying with Local Law 84’s benchmarking requirements. With a bit of planning and research, your property can become more efficient, saving you money in the long run.

    Conclusion

    Local Law 84 is a lot to take in, but thankfully, you don’t have to go through it alone. The team at vert energy group has the experience and knowledge needed to help you comply with the law and upgrade your buildings. We want to help you make your property more sustainable, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information about how we can help you potentially save money and conserve energy.

  • Local Law 84 Benchmarking Report

    Local Law 84 Benchmarking Report

    Are you a business in NYC feeling overwhelmed by the number of compliances to adhere to the Benchmarking Report, famously known as Local Law 84? Don’t fret – we’re here to help! Here at [insert your business], we guide businesses in understanding baseline year energy consumption and easily submitting their report.

    Our experts will provide detailed insights regarding the best practices for energy reduction and provide exemplary support throughout the process. With our assistance, you can be sure your building is taking all measures to save energy, and money, and contribute towards mitigating climate change! Join us today on this journey of creating a more sustainable future!

    What Is Local Law 84?

    Local Law 84 (LL84) is bringing about positive change to building efficiency in New York City. A part of the Greener, Greater Building Plan, LL84 requires two or more buildings on a single lot over 100,000 square feet to report their energy and water usage each year through benchmarking data. This helps owners and tenants better understand how they can make energy-saving changes through energy audits, enabling them to reduce their use and impact on the environment.

    Every person in all five boroughs of NYC has the opportunity to be a sustainability hero by submitting these annual energy reports. LL84 provides the platform for real results that can amplify sustainability efforts across the entire city—we just need to make sure we’re utilizing it!

    How Can Building Owners Track The Building’s Energy Efficiency?

    Building’s Energy and Water Consumption

    Building owners in New York have an essential responsibility: they must use an energy benchmarking tool to measure, track and report their building’s energy and water consumption.

    For Local Law 84 Compliance, the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool is utilized to generate an ENERGY STAR score, as well as the Building’s Energy Efficiency Rating or Energy Grade corresponding to NYC’s Local Law 95. In cases where tenant space is differently metered by a utility company, building owners must also submit their tenant-metered energy/water data.

    Non-compliance with each of these landmark regulations carries with it hefty quarterly fines, so it is paramount that all building owners understand and adhere to their requirements.

    What Are The Effects Of Ll84 On ROI?

    The LL84 has the following effects on ROI:

    Increased Energy Savings

    The LL84 requires buildings to meet specific energy efficiency standards, resulting in lower energy costs and associated savings for owners. This can lead to improved return on investment over time.

    Improved Comfort Levels

    Higher efficiency standards mean greater comfort levels within a building, leading to increased productivity and tenant satisfaction which can also lead to increased ROI.

    Increased Marketability

    Buildings that comply with LL84 standards can be more attractive to prospective tenants due to their energy efficiency, which means owners may be able to charge higher rents and receive better returns on their investments.

    Reduced Operating Total Cost

    Lower utility bills resulting from the improved energy efficiency of a building can also lead to reduced operating costs, which can improve ROI.

    Increased Property Value

    The improved energy efficiency resulting from the LL84 standards can also increase the value of a building in the long term, leading to higher returns on investments.

    Overall, implementing LL84 standards in buildings can lead to improved returns on corporate finance in the long run. By incurring initial costs for achieving LL84 compliance, owners can benefit from reduced energy bills, increased rents, and improved property values, leading to greater returns over time.

    Requirements For Ll84 Energy Benchmarking

    The requirements for Local Law 84 energy benchmarking are essential for ensuring efficient energy use across New York City. Complying with the requirements of this law not only makes a substantial impact on reducing carbon emissions but also creates a more cost-effective way to manage energy resources.

    All NYC buildings larger than 50,000 square feet are required to track their energy and water use every year and submit the information in an online portal run by the NYC Department of Buildings. By making sure you understand these simple requirements, you can easily help your building and the city advance toward sustainable energy solutions!

    Who Should Comply With LL84 Energy Benchmarking?

    The Local Law 84 energy benchmarking process is an important step in helping New York City create a more efficient and sustainable future. All buildings that are over 50,000 square feet and have been certified for occupancy for at least one year must comply with the law’s provisions.

    This includes commercial office spaces, residential rental properties, hotels and motels, shopping malls and centers, hospitals, nursing homes, and other large-scale institutional spaces. The LL84 requirements help property owners keep track of their buildings’ energy performance while providing them with the opportunity to reduce their energy costs through improved efficiency. By adhering to this law, we can all be part of the larger effort to make New York City greener and more efficient.

    Benefits Of Benchmarking Energy Consumption

    Let’s check out the benefits of benchmarking energy consumption:

    • Improved Efficiency: Benchmarking energy consumption helps to identify areas where efficiency gains can be made, helping to reduce overall energy usage and costs. This is especially beneficial for large organizations with complex systems or multiple buildings.
    • Reduced Emissions: By tracking and reducing energy use, companies can reduce their environmental impact by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This helps organizations meet their sustainability goals and combat climate change.
    • Increased Awareness: Benchmarking energy consumption raises awareness of how energy is used, encouraging employees to make more conscious choices about their own usage and promoting green initiatives within the company.
    • Enhanced Competitiveness: Having a clear understanding of energy consumption can give organizations an edge when competing for resources and contracts. This is especially true in competitive markets, where customers may be looking to do business with the most energy-efficient organization.
    • Improved Performance: Benchmarking can help identify areas of underperformance and allow energy managers to address them before they become bigger issues. This helps organizations save money while also ensuring that they are running at peak efficiency.
    • Cost Savings: By tracking and reducing energy consumption, organizations can save money by lowering their overall energy bills. In addition, benchmarking helps identify areas where equipment upgrades or other changes may be necessary to reduce energy costs in the long run.
    • Compliance with Regulations: Governments and other regulatory bodies often require organizations to track and report their energy consumption. Benchmarking can help ensure that these requirements are met, helping to avoid costly fines or other penalties.

    In short, benchmarking energy consumption can provide numerous benefits for businesses, from improved efficiency and reduced emissions to cost savings and enhanced competitiveness. As environmental regulations become increasingly strict, it is more important than ever for organizations to take steps to reduce their energy consumption. Benchmarking helps make this easier and can help most companies save money in the long run.

    Penalties For Non-Compliance With The LL84 Energy Benchmarking

    In New York City, non-compliance with Local Law 84 Energy Benchmarking can be costly for commercial building owners. Fines range from $500 to $2,000 a day and the building does not follow LL84 regulations. The violation persists every day and the correction of the issue is overdue until compliance is achieved. If a property is determined to be in violation of the law for six months or more, the environmental administrator will refer it to the Environmental Control Board, and hefty fines can result based on the severity of the offense. Building owners must ensure their properties meet LL84 compliance requirements to avoid costly penalties due to their actions.

    How To Get Started With Ll84 Benchmarking In Your Business?

    Start Ll84 Benchmarking In Your Business

    Here is how you can start with Ll84 benchmarking in your business:

    • Identify the areas that need improved energy efficiency in your business. This includes equipment, lighting, heating, and cooling systems, and other areas where energy is used.
    • Analyze the current energy usage of each area in order to determine how much can be saved by making changes or upgrades.
    • Set goals for each area and create an action plan to reach the goals. This action plan should include specific tasks, timelines, and responsibilities for achieving the energy efficiency goals.
    • Train staff on how to perform lead generation and benchmarking activities and ensure that they are well-versed in the process of collecting data, analyzing it, and reporting findings.
    • Analyze the data collected to find areas where energy is being wasted and make improvements accordingly. This can include replacing outdated equipment or making upgrades to existing systems.
    • Monitor the company’s sales progress on a regular basis and adjust goals as needed to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved.
    • Report findings to management and relevant stakeholders and use the results to plan further action.

    Following these steps will help you get started with LL84 benchmarking in your business, enabling you to make improvements that can save energy and money. With regular performance reviews and evaluations, your business can reap the rewards of increased efficiency and reduced energy costs over time.

    Case studies of businesses that have benefited from ll84 benchmarking

    Step-To-Step On LL84 Benchmarking And Its Affect on ROI

    Measure Your Business’s Current Financial Performance

    To mark a good benchmark for your content marketing programs’ performance in the business world, you need to have a baseline measurement of where you currently stand. This can be done by reviewing financial records, customer satisfaction surveys, and other data sources that measure the success of current operations.

    Analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

    By understanding which KPIs are most important for your business, you can then use them as a comparison tool to measure changes in performance over time. KPIs such as customer satisfaction scores, return on investment (ROI), cost per acquisition, and employee productivity should be regularly monitored and tracked in order to accurately assess the impact of any changes.

    Set Goals and Objectives

    Once you’ve determined your current performance, set goals for improvement and create an action plan with measurable objectives to achieve them. Make sure that these objectives are realistic and achievable in order to maximize the ROI from your efforts.

    Implement Changes

    Based on the data gathered from benchmarking, implement changes to improve the performance of your business. For example, if you’ve identified a weak area in customer satisfaction, focus on addressing that issue by improving customer service or providing more products or services tailored to customer needs.

    Monitor Progress

    Lastly, it is important to track progress and measure the success of any changes made. Keep an eye on your KPIs and make adjustments to ensure that you are achieving the desired results.

    By properly benchmarking efforts and tracking performance, you can measure the success of changes made over time, maximize ROI and ultimately improve the overall performance of your business. It is important to regularly review key metrics and use data to inform decisions in order to ensure that your business is reaching its full potential. With a thorough understanding of the LL84 benchmarking process, you can more accurately measure and improve the performance of your organization — all while increasing ROI.

     

  • Kick Starting 2022

    Kick Starting 2022

    The Sooner the Better

    Happy New Year! I know the year has only just begun and we’re all still winding down from the holiday festivities, but in the world of Energy, Benchmarking doesn’t wait for anyone. Whether you’re still milking that holiday vacation time or back at work, it doesn’t hurt to review your city and state deadlines. Most Benchmark deadlines don’t hit till summer, however, there are a select few programs with due dates as early as March. Here’s a quick breakdown of all the 2022 Benchmark deadlines:

    March Deadlines

    City

    2022 Deadline

    Building Energy & Water Scoring (Fort Collins, CO)

    March 1st

    April Deadlines

    City

    2022 Deadline

    Reno Energy & Water Efficiency Program (Ordinance 7068)

    April 1st

    Saint Louis Building Energy Awareness Bill

    April 1st

    San Francisco Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance
    Ordinance (SF EBO)

    April 1st

    Washington Clean & Affordable Energy Act of 2008
    (Washington, DC)

    April 1st

    Washington State Senate Bill 5854 (SB5854)

    April 1st

    Portland Commercial Building Energy Reporting (Oregon)

    April 22nd

    May Deadlines

    City

    2022 Deadline

    Cambridge Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance

    May 1st

    Des Moines Energy & Water Benchmarking Ordinance

    May 1st

    Kansas City Energy Empowerment Ordinance

    May 1st

    New York City Local Law 84 (NYC LL84)

    May 1st

    Orlando Building Energy & Water Efficiency Strategy
    (Ordinance 2016-64)

    May 1st

    Portland Energy & Water Use Performance Benchmarking
    Ordinance (Maine)

    May 1st

    Salt Lake City Elevate Buildings

    May 1st

    San Jose Energy & Water Building Performance Ordinance (SJ
    BPO)

    May 1st

    Boston Energy Reporting & Disclosure Ordinance

    May 15th

    Chula Vista Building Energy Saving Ordinance

    May 20th

    June Deadlines

    City

    2022 Deadline

    Atlanta Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance

    June 1st

    Austin Energy Conservation Audit & Disclosure (ECAD)
    Ordinance

    June 1st

    Boulder Building Performance Efficiency Ordinance

    June 1st

    California Assembly Bill 802 (CA AB802)

    June 1st

    Chicago Building Energy Use Benchmarking Ordinance

    June 1st

    Denver Commercial & Multifamily Building Benchmarking

    June 1st

    Los Angeles Energy & Water Efficiency (LA EBEWE)

    June 1st

    Minneapolis Commercial Building Rating & Disclosure
    Ordinance

    June 1st

    Montgomery County Building Energy Benchmarking Law

    June 1st

    Pittsburgh Building Benchmarking Ordinance

    June 1st

    San Diego Building Energy Benchmark Ordinance

    June 1st

    Evanston Building Energy & Water Use Benchmarking Ordinance

    June 30th

    Philadelphia Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance

    June 30th

    July Deadlines

    City

    2022 Deadline

    Berkeley Building Energy Saving Ordinance

    July 1st

    Ontario Reporting of Energy Consumption & Water Use

    July 1st

    Seattle Council Bill 116731 (CB116731)

    July 1st

    Voluntary/TBD

    City

    2022 Deadline

    Miami Dade Building Efficiency 305 (BE305)

    TBD

    Cincinnati Kilowatt Crackdown

    Voluntary

    Columbus Energy Challenge

    Voluntary

    Houston Green Office Challenge

    Voluntary

    New Jersey State Law A3723

    Voluntary

    New Orleans Building Energy Benchmarking

    Voluntary

    Sustainable Providence (Providence, RI)

    Voluntary

    Energize Saint Paul (Saint Paul, MN)

    Voluntary

    If you have a property in any of the cities/states with spring deadlines, it’s important to begin the Benchmark process ASAP. Pre-pandemic, the Benchmark process could take anywhere from 4-7 weeks to complete. That time has increased due to two main factors:

    1. Work from home policies: many companies still have WFH policies which can prolong the process of getting the necessary forms completed. This especially impacts property management that leases spaces out to multiple tenants who pay their own utilities.
    2. Utility companies: some utility companies have used the past two years of the pandemic trying to update their systems. Things like authorization forms, verifications, and online portals have been slightly altered thus resulting in either long request times and/or the need to submit updated requests to push the data through existing requests.

    With that information in mind, the sooner you begin working on your Benchmarks, the higher chance you have of meeting the deadline no matter how soon or late in the year yours is. If you haven’t yet begun your 2022 Benchmark report, our Benchmark team is happy and ready to help. To get started today, head on over to VertPro.com. For returning customers, you will want to log in to your existing VertPro account, review your 2022 dashboard and make any necessary changes/updates (i.e., add/remove properties and update authorization forms). New customers will need to register and set up their portfolios (adding properties and completing necessary authorizations). For any questions or immediate assistance, you can contact our team at (415) 912-1523 or support@vertpro.com.

    Fun Fact: ENERGY STAR Certified buildings contribute 35% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to non-ENERGY STAR Certified buildings. – ENERGY STAR

    ENERGY STAR Certification (ESC) – The Little Blue Label

    ENERGY STAR Certification When you go shopping for appliances it’s not uncommon to see a little blue label indicating the product is “ENERGY STAR Certified” and therefore more energy efficient. Now that same little blue label can be applied to buildings via ENERGY STAR Certification (ESC). Benchmarking a property is the steppingstone towards applying for an ESC, but there’s a lot more work involved (i.e., paperwork and site inspections). If qualified, the work involved in the application alone can be enough to deter you from applying. However, the financial benefits of being an ENERGY STAR Certified building alone is hard to beat. From a financial perspective, being ENERGY STAR Certified can help you save and earn money in the long run. According to ENERGY STAR, ESC buildings use an average of 35% less energy compared to similar non-ESC buildings. That means an ESC office building alone could “cost $0.50 less per square foot to operate” in comparison to non-ESC offices. In conjunction with lower operational costs, ESC buildings also see a higher net operating income and therefore a higher building valuation. This is important should you ever decide to sell your building as “numerous studies demonstrate a sale price premium of 1%-31% among energy-efficient buildings.” Even if you have no plans to sell your building, there are additional financial benefits as ENERGY STAR Certified buildings are noted as having higher occupancy – up to 10% – and rental rates – 3%-16% more. With lower operational costs and increased occupancy and rental numbers, you’re building could be saving and earning more money in the long run by simply being ENERGY STAR Certified. To view the full list of benefits of being an ENERGY STAR Certified building, I highly recommend checking out ENERGY STAR’s article here. To schedule a meeting to learn how Vert Energy Group can help you apply for the ESC, contact us at 800-585-2690 or email us.  

    Fun Fact: The construction industry contributes 4.1% – or approximately $790 billion – to the Unites States GDP. – Ain Sham Engineering Journal, Volume 12 Issue 1

    Inflation and Your Building

    Inflation and Your Building

    When the pandemic first broke out, many countries closed their borders or took extra measures to ensure safety. We all saw in the news how exchange students had to quickly pack up and return home and we all felt the impact of our online orders now being back ordered and/or delayed. What many of us may not have realized, is the drastic impact these backorders and delays were having on the construction industry. A large portion of the U.S. construction materials (i.e., steel and stone) are imported. Basic supply and demand chains show that low supply and high demand will result in increased pricing. In a survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors (AGC), “bid prices and input costs have increased by 0.5% and 12.8% respectively since the onset of the pandemic.” Whenever you hire a contractor, you get a bid and then sign. The bids are based on the pricing of the materials. With the sudden increase in costs due to COVID-19, many contractors had to use part of their profits to cover the cost of the materials. Andy Choi from Marcum LLP states that “contractors (will need) to evaluate the existing costs and (consider) the possibility of a cost increase when bidding for a project” as the market is still facing shortages, delays, and high-priced materials. The more it costs the contractor to get your materials, the more it will cost you to hire. If you have any upcoming building projects and/or upgrades, Vert Energy Group can help you get bids. Get a free Energy Upgrade consultation with one of our Building Upgrades representatives here or post a project on VertPro.com/Bids.

     

    “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend” – Martin Luther King Jr

    I Have a Dream…

    Martin Luther King Jr Monday, January 17th marks the 39th year since legislation officially made the third Monday of January a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr and all his achievements and influence during the Civil Rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr helped America to see that there were ways to discuss civil rights injustices and racism without resorting to violence. One of Martin Luther King Jr’s most notable demonstrations of nonviolent protest was the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. NobelPrize.org records that over the course of 382 days, Martin Luther King Jr and the African American community boycotted the Montgomery bus system until their demands for the abolition of segregation on buses were met. In the years following the 1955 bus boycott and until his assassination in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr traveled all over to speak on injustices that the African American community faced. During this time, he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the march on Washington D.C. in 1963. Between all the monumental work that Martin Luther King Jr did during his time and his inspirational “I Have a Dream” speech reminds us to practice love and compassion in our everyday lives. It reminds us to seek and strive for equality for all and peace no matter our differences. As Martin Luther King Jr said, “it takes empathy, patience, and compassion to overcome anger, hatred, and resentment” – a testament that is applicable not just on the third Monday each January, but to every day.  
    New Year’s Resolutions

    Danielle’s Corner

    New Year’s Resolutions Happy New Year! Time to get those New Year’s resolutions and yearly goals made. I personally find setting goals helps me stick to my resolutions. This year I have three main resolutions: read more, reduce my impact on the environment, and be more energy-efficient. To keep me accountable I’m setting goals for each “category.” Every year I try to up my book read quota so that’s nothing new. I think the more challenging resolutions are to reduce my environmental impact and become energy efficient. I’m apartment hunting and one of the things I’ve added to my “wish list” is a place with Energy Star Certified (ESC) appliances. According to SoCal Gas, washers alone use roughly 25% less energy and 33% less water than normal appliances so that’s about $370 I could be saving on utilities while being energy efficient. It’s a win-win in my book. On the off chance that I can’t find ESC apartments, I’ll be sure to switch out all the lighting that I can for LED options if they’re not already in place. To help lower my environmental impact, I’m planning on having plant-based or vegan meals at least once a week. According to the University of Oxford, you can reduce your carbon footprint from food by 73% just by cutting meat and dairy from your diet and by extension will help lower greenhouse gas emissions. I’m not ready to go 100% vegan just yet, but I’m more than willing to give up meat once or twice a week. It may not be a huge change, but it will be a good start. I’d love to know if you have any energy efficiency tips and/or good vegan recipes! Whatever your resolutions and goals are this years, I hope you’re able to reach them! You got this!  
    Want your Make Your Building Green? Get an Energy Audit! »

    Find Applicable Energy Laws Search by Zip to Find Applicable Energy Laws

    There are over 30 cities/states with Energy Benchmark requirements – 16 have Energy Audit requirements as well! Use this free tool to check if your building has an upcoming Energy Benchmark or Energy Audit deadline.

    FIND OUT HERE »
  • Closing out 2021

    Closing out 2021

    2021 at a Glance

    As 2021 comes to a close, we would like to take a moment to reflect on all that we have accomplished here at Vert Energy Group. At the beginning of the year, we quickly realized that the pandemic wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was the energy programs. Not only were cities reinstating the original filing deadlines, but some even launched new programs. Vert Energy Group always wants to ensure that clients are well taken care of, so we have taken everything we learned from navigating the pandemic in 2020 and adjusted our procedures. You may have seen new features on your Benchmark dashboard on VertPro to help streamline filing year-to-year. Two of the biggest updates to the dashboard were allowing the option for autopay and providing clients with the ability to download their property’s Energy report straight from their VertPro account.

    With the addition of these features to the existing VertPro platform, we also launched our Building Upgrades services aka VertPro Upgrades. Through VertPro Upgrades, you can get help with a wide variety of upgrade projects to your building. Clients can simply create or login to their VertPro account and post the building project they want to be done. Building upgrades can pertain to any of the following scenarios:

    •  Upgrades required by a city program (e.g., NYC Local Law 11 and SF Fire Alarm Ordinance)

    •  Projects found/recommended via your Audit reports (e.g., HVAC systems)

    •  Upgrades that your team wants to make for personal energy efficiency goals (i.e., installing solar)

    If you have a project, you simply post it on VertPro upgrades, and Vert Energy Group will work to get you bids from pre-vetted local contractors. To post a project on VertPro Upgrades today and start getting bids, click here.

    Throughout the past two years and the challenges we’ve faced due to the pandemic, we’re proud to say that Vert Energy Group has been able to continually grow and provide quality service to our clients. This past September was a huge highlight to our year as we were recognized by two acclaimed institutions – Inc. 5000 and PropTech Outlook. Every year Inc. 5000 releases a list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies and for 2021’s list, Vert Energy Group placed 1603rd overall and 23rd within the Engineering industry alone. On top of that, PropTech Outlook featured Vert Energy Group as the magazine’s cover story for the “Smart Building Edition.” Within the article, that you can read here, PropTech acknowledges Vert Energy Group as a Top 10 Smart Building Solution Provider in 2021. All these accomplishments are a testament to our companies values to continually innovate and improve our business to better assist our clients. From Benchmarking to Audits and Building Upgrades, we want you to know that you can trust us to help you meet your energy needs.

    This past year we were fortunate to have the ability to bring on new members to the Vert Energy Group family. Each department has added new members to help not only our clients but also the teams’ operations overall. As our numbers grow, we understand the importance of establishing and maintaining those internal connections despite our entire company still working remotely. Our monthly company events have become important in aiding these emerging bonds as it gives us all an hour to unwind, have fun, and get to know one another. Our Benchmark department has even begun hosting their own team bonding events in addition to their weekly team meetings. This has helped to strengthen the team’s communication which in turn enables us to better serve you. Speaking of new members, in August the Vert Family was blessed with the birth of our Project Manager, Elize’s sweet baby boy. Between new colleagues and growing families, it has been amazing to see the Vert Energy Group family grow and support one another.

    Fun Fact: The average Christmas tree with lights uses about 450 watts which is the same usage produced by a 55-inch T.V. –  ElectricChoice.com

    Holiday Energy Savings

    LED-Outside

    According to ElectricChoice.com, the average American home will use 301 kWh/day to power all their holiday decorations – indoor and outdoor – when they leave the lights on for 7-hours/day. The national average for electric costs is $0.12/kWh which means during the holidays you may be potentially spending roughly an extra $36/day in the holiday season alone. Now we’re not saying to take all your lights down and become the Grinch or Scrooge this holiday season. Instead, consider making a few adjustments to how you decorate this year and moving forward. Last year we provided a few energy-saving tips for the holidays – read it here if you missed it – and we have more.

    Last year’s energy tips focused on two key points:

    1. Lighting – switching to LED options and programing lighting timers
    2. Cooking – efficiently prepping your holiday meal and using the heat generated from the oven instead of your thermostat

    In the realm of lighting, Direct Energy recommends opting for reflective decorative options such as ornaments, candles, ribbons, and garland to adorn smaller areas like your hallway, staircase, entryway, and mantels. If you do opt for candles, consider using battery-operated options for a safer, yet just as festive, holiday glow around the house.

    For those who live in colder areas or plan on hosting outdoor holiday gatherings, you may be tempted to purchase portable heaters. Before you do so, it is important to consider the impact heaters can have on the world. In a 2020 article by Ellie Long with Alliance to Save Energy, Long writes that the average outdoor heater alone generates an average of 40,000 BTU/hour. When run for 5-hours/week over the course of the 3-month long holiday season, your outdoor heater will be generating the equivalent amount of CO2 as that which is produced from driving 450 miles. It is important to stay warm but it’s also important to pick energy-efficient options such as electric heaters or an eco-friendly propane heater. On that same note, portable space heaters, while good at keeping you warm, can also be costly. The Mason Public Utility District found that “each 1500-watt portable space heater, including those that are oil-filled, can cost up to $75 to run each month.” If you have a portable space heater in every room of the house, you’re looking at a hefty raise in your electric bills.

    “Winter is a time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” Edith Sitwell

    The Season of Cheer

    Happy holidays Happy holidays! The great thing about the winter holidays is that there are so many variations to the same holiday. Take Christmas for example. Across the world, children are told stories of a man – most notably referred to as Santa Claus – who knows who has been naughty and nice and delivers gifts to the good children. In the U.S. kids leave cookies and milk for Santa while kids in England have been known to leave mince pies and brandy. Then you have the children in Reykjavik, Iceland who are taught about the 13 Santa’s known as the Yule Lads who deliver gifts each evening for the 13-days leading up to Christmas. While Christmas is widely known, some countries don’t celebrate it as fully as other winter holidays such as New Year’s Eve. Per Japanese traditions, Ōmisoka is the second most important day of the year as it signals the final day of the old year and the eve of the new year. On Ōmisoka, families gather to eat toshikoshi soba to symbolize their crossing over to the new year. Whatever your holiday celebration, be it family meals, the exchanging of gifts, singing carols, or simply enjoying the company of loved ones there’s no shortage of holiday cheer.  

    “The holiday season is a perfect time to reflect on our blessings and seek out ways to make life better for those around us.” – Terri Marshall

    Ringing in the New Year

    Ringing in the New Year

    Worldwide New Year’s Eve is celebrated to bring the old year to a close and welcome the new year. Across different cultures, New Year’s Eve traditions are often used to manifest positive outcomes in the new year. Many of these traditions tie back to good fortune, health, love, and overall luck. There’s a Spanish tradition, las doce uvas de la suerte, in which individuals will place a dozen grapes – one for each month of the year – in a glass of wine or champagne before midnight. Once the clock strikes twelve, the grapes are wished upon and then eaten. It is believed that all twelve grapes should be eaten during the chimes of the clock, or you risk a year of misfortune. In some cultures, all household cleaning is done before midnight on New Year’s Eve. Any cleaning conducted on New Year’s Day is seen as being synopsis with washing away your luck for the year. Other cultures have traditions to bring luck in specific areas of one’s life. In Brazil, people wear specific colored underwear on New Year’s Eve depending on what they are trying to achieve in the new year. Five common colors Brazilians opt for are white, green, yellow, red, and purple as they represent peace, health, money, love, and inspiration respectively. Whether or not you believe these traditions to be real or simply superstitions, it’s still a fun way to manifest some extra luck in the New Year and partake in the festivities.

    Holiday Season

    Danielle’s Corner

    Making the most out of this Holiday Season

    December, the month of spiced apple cider and mulled wine, fresh-baked pies – pies just seem more appropriate during the holidays in my opinion – and gingerbread houses, holiday parties, and holiday shopping. Now I know that we’re in year two of celebrating Christmas during a pandemic, but that doesn’t mean we make the most of the holiday season. There are a lot of fun events that you can safely enjoy. As usual, I clicked my way on over to Eventbrite to look up some events this month in sunny southern California. Here’s some that caught my eye:

    •  For lovers of the arts: The Nutcracker put on by the San Pedro City Ballet on December 10th and 12th ($30-$40) or by the A Terre School of Dance on December 17-19 and December 22-23 ($18.50-$33). It’s The Nutcracker. Need I say more.

    •  For the holiday shoppers: Creative Babe Market – Holiday Sip & Shop at Taps in Tustin is a free outdoor market on December 18th from 2:00-6:00 pm. Get your holiday shopping done while supporting small local businesses and enjoying live music and delicious foods and beverages.

    •  For families: experience a drive-in movie viewing of The Polar Express presented by The Port of Long Beach on December 18th. The movie starts at 6:30 pm but the lot will open at 5:00 pm so get there early for a good spot.

    •  For fans of Christmas lights: from December 3rd-January 2nd, you can enjoy a 75-minute cruise around Newport Landing to view the 2021 Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights Cruise. Tickets are $25.00.

    •  For those looking to stay active and keep the holiday gains away: 2021 Santa’s Big Day 1M, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2 is a virtual race. You choose how much you want to run – or walk – and do it from any location you want during the month of December. Bonus: a portion of the registration fees to participate ($25 to enter) will be donated to Operation Warm a nonprofit that provides new winter coats to children in need across North America.

    There’s so much to experience this month and I cannot wait to participate – safely of course! If you attend any of these events or even host your own little celebration share your experience with us! Tag us on Instagram @vertenergygroup so our Vert Energy Group community can see how you’re celebrating the holidays this year!

    From our Vert Energy Group family to yours, happy holidays! Wishing you a holiday full of magic, cozy vibes, an abundance of yummy treats, and a year of joy and good health. See you next year!

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  • Budgeting for Benchmarking and Beyond

    Budgeting for Benchmarking and Beyond

    Energy Efficiency Costs

    Maintaining the Energy Efficiency of your buildings can appear costly when you’re not planning ahead. There’s the yearly Benchmark filing followed by the 5-10 year Audit and RetroCommissioning (RCx) reports and finally the upgrades and projects you need to complete based on the results of your Audits and RCx. While it’s relatively easy to account for the annual filings, the Audit and RCxs can sneak up on you. In the worst-case scenario, one of your building’s operational systems breaks and needs to be repaired or upgraded immediately. If you haven’t set aside the necessary funds, you’ll most likely find yourself in a pinch.

    Planning Ahead

    “All the things I could do if I had a little money…” – ABBA

    One of the easiest, and best, ways to begin budgeting for your Energy needs is to include it in your Capital Expenditures (CapEx). According to Investopedia, capital expenditures are important for two key reasons:

    •  The funds help to maintain a building and its equipment
    • Allows you to “invest in new technology and other assets for growth”

    As a reminder, Benchmarking and Audits/RCxs quite literally track your buildings’ Energy consumptions and needs to be upgraded. By this logic, Benchmarking and Audits/RCxs are investments in a building’s maintenance and growth.

    There are a few things to consider when setting up your capital expenditures year-to-year. Firstly, your capital expenditures are not to be confused with your operating expenses. The capital expenditures pertain to expenses that do not occur on a regular basis – such as building upgrades. Conversely, operating expenses deal with your regular or frequent expenses – think utility bills and rent. It’s important to keep your capital and operational expenditures separate so as to avoid confusion or issues.

    Based on your yearly Benchmark reports, you will see your Energy Score increase, stay the same, or drop. If your building’s Energy Score begins to drop, that’s a good indication to start prepping your CapEx as there’s a high chance that your building’s operations need to be upgraded. Many Audit/RCx deadlines for city and state ordinances fall around the end of the year, so conducting your Audit and planning your capital expenditures go hand-in-hand.

    An Audit/RCx conducted by a licensed professional (LP) is the best way to pinpoint the exact cause for your decreased Energy Score. The finalized Audit/RCx report will provide you with areas for improvement and projected costs for those projects that will save you money and energy in the long run. Potential areas of improvement include, but are not limited to, your building’s HVAC, Lighting, Automation, and Solar systems. Based on these findings, your company will be able to implement a minimum and maximum budget to encompass immediate and maintenance expenses. Investopedia states that common capital expenditure plans are “constructed to over a period of five to 10 years” thus serving as “a company’s ‘five-year plan’ or long-term goals.” As Audits and RCx are only conducted every 5-10 years, it is pertinent that you’re including the head of daily operations in CapEx discussions for your building as they are the most knowledgeable on building issues and repairs. By consulting an LP and your head of daily operations will ensure that the appropriate funds are allocated for your capital expenditures.

    Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” – Russell Baker

    Tweet

    Surviving the Summer Heat

    Summer heat is in full swing and rising, but that doesn’t mean your energy bills have to increase. There are still many ways to stay cool without racking up the costs. Monitoring your AC and fans’ usage is one of the simplest ways to be energy efficient. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again if you have a smart thermostat make use of it. The Department of Energy found that setting your thermostat 7-10 degrees lower than the outdoor temperature can save up to 10% on AC expenses each year. With that in mind, set your thermostat to kick in when it reaches a certain temperature – for example, 78 degrees – and be sure to turn this feature off when no one’s home to ensure energy is not being wasted cooling an empty home. Keep in mind that the lower the temperature setting, the lower the settings so if you’re at 72 degrees, then you’ll only be saving up to 3% on AC expenses. You also want to be sure that your AC vents are regularly cleaned and dust-free to ensure optimal airflow. If the AC vents are dusty, it’s going to block the cool air trying to get out and you’ll find yourself trying to lower the temperature more and more to feel the effects. The lower the setting, the more your AC is going to have to work and the higher your energy bills.

    Department of EnergyAccording to the Department of Energy, 90% of the energy from incandescent lights is actually just the heat with the remaining 10% being actual light. Crazy right? Needless to say, if you’re using incandescent lighting, you might want to keep those off and use natural lighting while the sun’s out unless you want to raise the room’s temperature. A better option would be to switch to LED lighting as they generally give off low amounts of heat. There’s the added bonus that in comparison to incandescent lighting, LEDs use significantly less energy and last significantly longer – 75% less and 25 times longer respectively. Switching to LED will ensure no additional heat is being generated while helping you save money. It’s a win-win.

     

    Moving Past COVID

    Benchmark and Audit/RCx deadlines

    Many cities have begun to reopen and resume normal operations thus resulting in the reinforcement of Energy ordinances and programs*. As many cities and states start to reinstate their original, pre-pandemic Benchmark and Audit/RCx deadlines, it is important to note that there will also be less leniency. That means, deadlines will be enforced and penalties will be distributed as cities and states see fit. Vert Energy Group has continued to work through these unprecedented times to ensure we’re staying up-to-date with any and all changes made to the various nationwide Energy ordinances. If you’re finding yourself in the position to begin filing again, we’re here for you. Head over to VertPro.com to begin meeting your Benchmark, Audit, and RCx, and/or building upgrade needs. If you’re unsure if your city or state has reinstated your local Energy programs, our support team can help you via email at support@vertpro.com and by phone at 800-585-2690.

    *Please note at the time of drafting this section things were beginning to open up. Check with your city’s or state’s guidelines for the most up-to-date information.

    Fun Fact: In Northern Australia, the first Monday in August marks the public holiday “Picnic Day

    Back-to-School Season

    Danielle’s Corner

    Back-to-School Season…

    August marks back-to-school season! Hopefully the activities I shared in our June and July Vert Report helped keep your little ones occupied all summer long. Now I’m here to help you face the back-to-school shopping nightmare. When I was a struggling college student, I used to hit up my local malls to see what deals they had going on. Pre-COVID, the Irvine Spectrum in Irvine, CA used to handed out little booklets full of coupons to use at participating stores and restaurants and held summer night events in August. This provided a great way to stock up on back-to-school supplies and clothes while getting your grub on and attending fun events. The Irvine Spectrum has yet to announce any fun back-to-school event, but you can always do your own little celebration to make the process fun for your kiddos.

    Start your day off hitting the back-to-school sales and reward yourself and/or your family with a yummy meal out. And remember, shop for EnergySTAR certified electronics to ensure energy efficiency year-round. If you’re unsure if a product is EnergyStar certified simply look for the official logo or double-check the EnergySTAR website. If you spot any great back-to-school deals for EnergyStar products, share them with the Vert Energy Group community on our Facebook and LinkedIn or find us on Instagram. We’re all one big community, so let’s continue to help one another out!

    Want your Make Your Building Green? Get an Energy Audit! »

    Find Applicable Energy Laws Search by Zip to Find Applicable Energy Laws

    There are over 30 cities/states with Energy Benchmark requirements – 16 have Energy Audit requirements as well! Use this free tool to check if your building has an upcoming Energy Benchmark or Energy Audit deadline.

    FIND OUT HERE »