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5 Crucial Energy KPIs to Monitor for Effective Business Energy Management

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of today’s business world, mastering energy management stands as a pivotal cornerstone for success. As the price tags on energy soar and environmental consciousness takes center stage, businesses face an urgent need to embrace astute energy management practices. It’s no longer just about financial savings; it’s a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Join us in this blog post expedition as we uncover five indispensable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that serve as guiding beacons for businesses striving to fine-tune their energy management strategies.

Energy Consumption

Energy consumption refers to the amount of energy used by a business to power its operations. Monitoring energy consumption is a fundamental KPI for effective energy management. By tracking and measuring this metric, businesses gain insights into their energy usage patterns and identify areas for improvement.

To track and measure energy consumption, businesses can utilize smart meters, submeters, or energy management software. These tools provide real-time data on energy consumption, allowing businesses to identify peak usage periods, energy-intensive processes, and wasteful practices. By implementing energy-efficient measures such as equipment upgrades, optimized systems, and employee awareness campaigns, businesses can significantly reduce energy consumption, resulting in substantial cost savings.

Reducing energy consumption not only has financial benefits but also contributes to sustainability. By conserving energy, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and minimize their impact on the environment. Additionally, implementing energy-efficient technologies and practices enhances a company’s reputation as an environmentally responsible organization.

Energy Intensity

Energy intensity is another crucial KPI for effective energy management. It measures the amount of energy used per unit of production or activity. By calculating and monitoring energy intensity, businesses can identify inefficiencies in their operations and take steps to optimize energy usage.

To calculate energy intensity, businesses need to divide their total energy consumption by the specific production output or activity level. This KPI helps businesses identify energy-intensive processes or areas that require optimization. By investing in energy-efficient equipment, streamlining processes, and utilizing automation technologies, businesses can significantly improve their energy intensity and operate more sustainably.

Moreover, improving energy intensity often leads to increased productivity and operational efficiency. By identifying and addressing energy-intensive processes, businesses can streamline operations, reduce waste, and enhance overall productivity. This not only reduces energy costs but also improves competitiveness within the industry.

Energy Cost

Energy costs play a vital role in the financial health of a business. It refers to the monetary value of energy consumed by a business. Monitoring energy cost is crucial for effective energy management as it directly impacts a company’s profitability. By analyzing energy cost KPIs, businesses can identify areas of energy inefficiency and make informed decisions to reduce their energy expenses.

To track and analyze energy cost KPIs, businesses should regularly review their utility bills, identify energy-saving opportunities, and benchmark their energy consumption against industry standards. Implementing energy audits, conducting thorough analyses of energy consumption patterns, and considering alternative energy suppliers are effective strategies for tracking and analyzing energy cost KPIs.

Emphasizing energy cost management creates a culture of cost-consciousness within an organization. By actively managing energy costs, businesses can identify cost-saving opportunities, optimize energy usage, and improve overall financial performance. The funds saved can be reinvested in other areas of the business, such as research and development or employee training, leading to innovation and growth.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), are the primary contributors to climate change. These emissions are closely linked to energy consumption, making greenhouse gas emissions a key KPI for effective energy management. By tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Monitoring greenhouse gas emissions involves quantifying and reporting the carbon footprint associated with a business’s energy consumption. This process allows businesses to identify areas where energy efficiency measures can help reduce emissions. By implementing energy-efficient practices, switching to renewable energy sources, optimizing transportation logistics, and promoting employee engagement in sustainability initiatives, businesses can effectively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions not only mitigates climate change but also enhances a company’s reputation. Consumers are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of the products and services they use. By actively reducing emissions, businesses can attract environmentally conscious customers and gain a competitive advantage in the market.

Renewable Energy Usage

Renewable energy usage refers to the proportion of energy obtained from sustainable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal power. Incorporating renewable energy into business operations is not only an environmentally responsible choice but also a sound business decision.

By monitoring and increasing renewable energy usage, businesses can reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a cleaner energy landscape. Installing solar panels, procuring renewable energy certificates, and exploring power purchase agreements with renewable energy providers are some ways businesses can integrate renewable energy sources into their operations.

Embracing renewable energy offers several benefits for businesses. Firstly, it helps reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, providing greater energy security and stability. Secondly, utilizing renewable energy sources often results in long-term cost savings. While the initial investment may be higher, renewable energy systems tend to have lower operational and maintenance costs over their lifespan. Lastly, incorporating renewable energy aligns businesses with growing consumer preferences for sustainable practices, attracting environmentally conscious customers and enhancing brand reputation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, monitoring energy KPIs is crucial for effective energy management in businesses. By monitoring and optimizing these five crucial KPIs – energy consumption, energy intensity, energy cost, greenhouse gas emissions, and renewable energy usage – businesses can gain valuable insights into their energy usage patterns, identify areas for improvement, and implement effective strategies.

Effective energy management not only leads to cost savings but also fosters sustainability and environmental responsibility. By reducing energy consumption, improving energy intensity, controlling energy costs, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, and embracing renewable energy, businesses can enhance their operational efficiency, reputation, and long-term success.

It is essential for businesses to prioritize energy management and implement strategies that improve their energy KPIs. By doing so, businesses can not only achieve financial savings and operational efficiency but also contribute to a sustainable future and make a positive impact on the environment.

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Now is the time to seize the opportunity to maximize your property’s energy potential and value. Explore VertPro.com’s comprehensive solutions today and let us be the catalyst for the transformation your property deserves. Your energy-efficient future starts here!

December 13, 2023
How to Qualify for an EBEWE Exemption from the Audit and Retro-commissioning

Are you looking to save time and money on the audit, commissioning, or retro-commissioning your building’s energy systems? EBEWE Exemptions are an invaluable resource for organizations that comply with various codes and standards that waive certain requirements to minimize tedious processes like inspections and additional paperwork.

Learning more about eligibility criteria and potential exemptions can help reduce costly procedures while improving the effectiveness of existing strategies.

In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about qualifying for an EBEWE Exemption from audit and retro-commissioning – so read on!

What Are Audits And Retro-Commissions?

Audits and retro-commissions are energy consumption surveys that tell us how energy is being used in a given building, system or organization. They provide us with a comprehensive understanding of energy use by measuring energy efficiency through diagnostic tools. This can highlight certain areas of energy waste.

Moreover, retro-commissions provide a roadmap to help organizations reduce energy usage and save costs through pinpointing specific adjustments that can be made to increase energy efficiency. The ultimate goal of audits and retro-commissions is to give organizations the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their energy use going forward.

How to Qualify for an EBEWE Exemption from the Audit and Retro-commissioning?

If you’re looking to qualify for an EBEWE exemption from the energy audit and retro-commissioning, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, it must be verified that energy and water consumption has steadily decreased over at least the last four years or until energy usage has reached a certain threshold.

Additionally, energy audits should be conducted every two years to prove energy efficiency is improving. Finally, any energy efficiency measures recommended in the energy audits must be completed before an exemption is granted. By meeting these requirements, your organization can secure an exemption from energy auditing and retro-commissioning—ensuring your business is as energy efficient as possible!

Who Can Comply With EBEWE Energy Benchmarking?

Energy benchmarking is essential for building owners looking to improve energy performance and conserve energy. EBEWE energy benchmarking is no different – it’s an effective way to determine the energy consumption of existing buildings energy and measure energy efficiency. To comply, building owners must complete an energy consumption survey for each building and submit the results to an energy advisor.

This process yields useful data and insights about how the building uses energy, allowing owners to make informed decisions about energy performance upgrades or to take other corrective measures.

Compliance Deadline For EBEWE Energy Benchmarking Report

Are you a business owner with central cooling systems in your commercial building? If so, you may want to take note of the upcoming compliance deadline for EBEWE Energy Benchmarking report. As of June 1st, 2021, all commercial buildings with central cooling systems must submit a water efficiency program report, including source energy use intensity data, to their local government.

Doing this allows you to determine if your central cooling system is as efficient as possible, helping your business save money on utility bills in the long run. Don’t miss out on this opportunity – make sure to check your local government’s policies and get that report in before the deadline!

Benefits Of EBEWE Exemption From The Audit And Retro Commissioning

EBEWE Exemption from the Audit and Retro Commissioning can help reduce energy costs through:

– Improved Efficiency: By performing an EBEWE Exemption, commercial building owners are able to identify areas of inefficiency and make improvements before the audit, or retro commissioning process is completed. This helps to improve the efficiency of all systems, resulting in lower energy costs.

– Reduced Costs: By reducing the amount of time and money associated with pre-audit and retro commissioning, building owners can save money on audit and retro commissioning costs. This helps to reduce overall energy expenses over time.

– Improved Comfort Level: EBEWE Exemptions allow building owners to ensure that all systems function correctly and efficiently. This helps to improve comfort levels for occupants, resulting in improved productivity and reduced absenteeism.

– Increased Safety: EBEWE Exemptions can help reduce the risk of fire or other safety issues by ensuring that all systems are functioning properly and safely. This helps to increase the overall safety of a building, ensuring that occupants are safe and secure.

– Increased Productivity: EBEWE Exemptions help to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs, resulting in increased productivity for occupants. This can lead to higher revenues for businesses, as well as improved morale for employees.

Overall, EBEWE Exemptions can positively impact a building’s energy efficiency and costs, resulting in improved comfort levels for occupants, increased safety, and higher productivity. This makes EBEWE Exemption from the Audit and Retro Commissioning an attractive option for many building owners.

Things To Consider When Qualifying For An EBEWE Exemption From The Audit And Retro-Commissioning

1. The project must meet all applicable building code requirements and have been constructed according to the approved plans, including any changes or modifications made during construction.

2. The building systems must be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the EBEWE Exemption Guidelines (see Appendix A).

3. The building must have been designed according to recognized energy efficiency design principles and practices, including use of renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar hot water or photovoltaic systems).

4. The building must be equipped with a Building Automation System (BAS) that is set up for remote monitoring and control of the building’s energy systems to enable continuous and/or periodic monitoring of energy performance.

5. The building must have been designed with energy efficiency measures that are not dependent on the BAS, such as occupancy sensors and automatic lighting controls.

6. The building must be equipped with a comprehensive system of meters that accurately monitor energy consumption and provide data for comparison of energy performance before and after the retro-commissioning process.

7. The building must have been designed with systems that allow easy access to make any necessary adjustments or repairs to the building’s energy systems.

8. The building must be equipped with an ongoing training program for staff and/or occupants, so they can become familiar with the systems and use them efficiently.

9. The building must be certified as meeting current energy efficiency standards by an approved third-party auditor or commissioning authority. This certification must be renewed on a regular basis to ensure ongoing compliance with the EBEWE Exemption Guidelines.

10. An application for the exemption must include a detailed description of the energy efficiency measures implemented in the building, along with supporting documentation. This must include copies of all applicable building permits and a complete list of equipment and materials used in the cooling process.

Penalty For EBEWE Energy Benchmarking Report

Recent energy benchmarking regulations require local governments to track and report their buildings’ energy usage in EBEWE Energy Benchmarking Reports. Those who do not comply may face hefty fines. Businesses and corporate entities have not been exempt from this, ensuring everyone can quickly submit the necessary documentation or deal with the consequences. The only exception is residential properties, which are far from getting away with anything, since they still need to adhere to all local municipal requirements. Anyone avoiding compliance will surely face the penalty for their non-compliance, so it’s essential for everyone to take these regulations seriously.

The Final Word

You can save energy and money by following these simple tips to qualify for an EBEWE exemption from the audit and retro-commissioning. The first step is to find a reputable company like Vert Energy Group to help you with the process. Once you have found a reputable company, they will take care of the rest!

April 4, 2023
How Does EBEWE Benchmarking Help in Building an Energy Management System?

Benchmarking is an important component in building a successful energy management system, helping you recognize areas for improvement, prioritize strategies and track performance. EBEWE Benchmarking is an innovative benchmarking tool specifically developed to help organizations size up their own energy performance against comparable facilities and take steps toward reducing energy costs.
It uses key baseline indicators – including historical data, available technologies, and current market prices – to identify opportunities for increasing efficiency and optimizing operations at the organizational level. In this blog post, we’ll explore how EBEWE benchmarking can help identify areas of significant savings potential that contribute towards a strong energy management plan.
What is EBEWE Benchmarking?
EBEWE Benchmarking is a powerful benchmarking tool used to measure performance against industry standards or best practices. It allows decision-makers to see how their business stacks up against competitors in a way that goes beyond pure financial metrics. With EBEWE, businesses can identify areas of improvement by studying successful traits, such as customer service processes, and understanding where they stand relative to the rest of the market.
The process of benchmarking through EBEWE helps organizations increase efficiencies and make better strategic decisions based on accurate data and analysis. By having detailed insights into industry positionings and opportunities, companies can compare their current performance with trends across their sector to identify key areas for growth.
Step-By-Step Guide To EBEWE Benchmarking
Learning energy benchmarking with the EBEWE energy benchmarking system is a straightforward and simple way to measure energy performance. This energy benchmarking system takes you through every step to accurately measure energy consumption in buildings. The process starts with completion of an energy consumption survey, which helps identify areas where energy can be saved or improved upon.
After this step is complete, you will submit the survey along with other building and tenant data for printing a score card that meets requirements set by the Los Angeles Municipal Code and California Green Building Standards Code. Finally, EBEWE streamlines the tracking process for long-term energy performance goals, helping you meet sustainability standards easily and efficiently.
How does EBEWE benchmarking help in building an energy management system?
Through EBEWE Benchmarking, energy performance across many types of buildings is monitored and routinely tracked. This energy performance is represented as an energy efficiency grade, which illustrates energy usage in comparison to other similar buildings or to energy benchmarking standard points. With this energy efficiency grade, building owners have access to better energy management feedback that helps them make informed decisions on energy spending.
The energy audit process from EBEWE allows building owners to see where energy and water can be saved, which helps with cost savings for any company. In addition, the water efficiency program provided through EBEWE allows for enhanced tracking and reporting of commercial building water requirements, providing valuable insight on your business’s resource consumption. All this information gathered from EBEWE energy benchmarking helps in shaping up a more effective energy management system.
How to Comply with EBEWE Benchmarking?
Complying with EBEWE Benchmarking is a great way for businesses and organizations to track energy savings and become energy-efficient. The energy star portfolio manager is an easy one-stop energy assessment and efficiency tracking tool that allows businesses to measure energy savings, set goals, and compare their energy performance against others in the same industry.
With energy star certification, businesses can promote their efforts to be energy conscious and demonstrate their commitment to energy conservation through online recognition of their accomplishments. Becoming energy efficient not only saves money on energy costs but also shows your organization places importance on taking care of our environment. With the help of the energy star portfolio manager, you can easily monitor and improve your energy efficiency goals!
Requirements for EBEWE Benchmarking?
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has strict requirements when it comes to benchmarking a building’s energy performance. The EBEWE benchmarking process is designed to provide detailed insight into the inherent energy efficiency of any given structure, giving owners and tenants the tools they need to make informed decisions about their building’s use of resources.
With EBEWE, certain metrics must be reported in order for benchmarking to be completed, including details such as utility bills and occupancy rates. For an even more comprehensive look at a building’s energy usage, benchmarks can be adjusted to account for weather patterns and other matters that influence a space’s energy consumption levels. It is important to remember that benchmarking is not necessarily mandatory but can certainly provide helpful insights.
Deadline for EBEWE Benchmarking Report
Starting off in the new year, it’s a great time to assess performance and goals. The EBEWE Benchmarking Report allows you to gain insight into your organization’s progress and future targets for improvement. It is essential to submit the report by the June 1st deadline.
That way, your leadership can use the data for developing strategies and plans for further growth. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and stay current with industry trends – be sure to submit your report on-time!
Benefits Of EBEWE Benchmarking
Here are the benefits of EBEWE benchmarking:
Improved Performance
EBEWE benchmarking helps to identify areas of improvement in performance and processes, enabling organizations to make adjustments that can lead to improved performance. This can be especially beneficial for organizations that are looking to optimize their operations and become more efficient.
Identifying Best Practices
By comparing different companies’ performance and processes, EBEWE benchmarking can help identify best practices that can be adopted to improve performance. This allows organizations to easily identify the most successful strategies employed by their competitors and adapt them to their own operations.
Cost Savings
By identifying areas of improvement through EBEWE benchmarking, organizations can save money on costs associated with inefficient processes. This can lead to significant cost savings, which can be used to fund further improvements or reinvested in other areas of the business.
More Efficient Processes
EBEWE benchmarking can help to identify and streamline processes that are not performing as efficiently as they could be. By reducing inefficiencies in processes, companies can improve their overall efficiency and performance.
Improved Decision Making
By providing a comprehensive view of the business environment, EBEWE benchmarking can help organizations make better decisions that are informed by accurate data. This has the potential to increase the success rate of strategic decisions and ensure that organizations remain competitive in the market.
Competitive Advantage
By identifying best practices and improving performance, EBEWE benchmarking can give organizations a competitive edge in their industry. This can help companies to stay ahead of their competitors and remain at the top of their game.
Increased Customer Satisfaction
Finally, improved performance and processes resulting from EBEWE benchmarking can lead to increased customer satisfaction. By offering a better product or service, organizations can increase their customer base and create loyal customers that will help them grow in the future.
By taking advantage of EBEWE benchmarking, organizations can reap many benefits and gain a competitive edge in the market. This type of analysis can help to identify areas of improvement and ensure that organizations remain on the cutting edge of performance and efficiency.
Why is EBEWE Benchmarking Important?
Benchmarking is a vital tool when running any business, and EBEWE Benchmarking helps businesses gain insightful and valuable data that allows for informed decision-making. It enables enterprises to accurately assess the performance of their products and services against those of their competitors, making it possible to gain invaluable insight into how they are performing in the marketplace.
Not only does this boost efficiency, but it also provides insight regarding different areas such as product features, pricing, quality control, customer service, and more. Moreover, benchmarking can be extremely useful in helping establish long-term goals for business growth and positive personal development. With EBEWE Benchmarking, businesses can stay ahead of the competition by looking beyond what others are doing to gain an edge in the ever changing economic environment.
Things to Consider when Complying with EBEWE Benchmarking
Here is what you should consider before complying with EBEWE benchmarking:
1. Understand your business: Understanding the ins and outs of your business operations is the first step to successful benchmarking. Analyze what you have done in the past, what processes need improvement, where you are doing well, and where there may be opportunities for improvement.
2. Set measurable goals: Setting clear objectives that can be measured is essential. It allows you to track your progress and measure success or failure. This will also help you identify the areas where the greatest improvements need to be made in order to achieve your goals.
3. Compare industry standards: With EBEWE benchmarking, you are comparing your operations with those of competitors in the same industry. Comparing yourself to industry averages will give you an idea of how your operations are performing and where there is room for improvement.
4. Analyze external factors: It is important to consider any external influences that may be affecting your business performance such as changes in the economy, customer trends, technological advancements, etc. This can provide valuable insight into why your operations may not be as successful as they could be.
5. Create an improvement plan: Once you have identified the areas that need improvement, create an action plan to help you reach your goals. This could include implementing new processes, training employees, investing in technology, etc. Depending on the size of your business, it might even be beneficial to hire an external consultant who can provide specialized advice and guidance.
6. Monitor progress: It is essential to monitor your progress in order to determine if the changes you have implemented are having the desired effect. Track and assess the results of your improvement efforts on a regular basis so that you can adjust as necessary.
Conclusion
Adopting an EBEWE approach to energy benchmarking and management can help you identify cost-saving opportunities, track your progress over time, and make informed decisions about future investments. Energy benchmarking is a powerful tool that can help you optimize your facility’s performance and achieve long-term sustainability goals. Are you ready to start saving money and reducing your environmental impact? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get started with EBEWE benchmarking.

January 25, 2023