Vert Energy Group

Tag: energy usage

  • How Energy Audits Can Boost Commercial Building Performance

    How Energy Audits Can Boost Commercial Building Performance

    As businesses across the world strive to become more eco-friendly, many are turning their attention to energy efficiency. Energy audits are a critical tool in the effort to reduce your business’s environmental footprint and get the most from your building.

    By examining how resources such as electricity, gas, and water are used in commercial buildings, energy audit processes can reveal invaluable information about how these resources can be managed for maximum savings without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

    Let’s look at some ways an energy audit may boost the performance of energy efficiency upgrades in any commercial building.

    What are energy audits?

    Energy audits are assessments of the energy use in a building. An auditor looks at how much energy is used, where it’s used, and what can be done to reduce the overall energy consumption and improve efficiency.

    Audits provide detailed data which helps identify potential improvement areas and pinpoint savings opportunities. They also provide guidance on ways to enhance comfort and energy efficiency improvements, increase safety, and reduce operating systems and equipment costs.

    Energy audits can range from basic walk-throughs that capture a snapshot of current conditions to more in-depth analyses covering all aspects of mechanical and electrical systems within a facility or an entire campus. Auditors may use tools such as infrared cameras, blower door tests, computer simulations, or other diagnostic equipment to assess energy consumption and uncover opportunities for improvement.

    Overall, energy audits are used to help identify the most cost-effective ways to reduce a building’s energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. They can be a helpful tool in helping facility managers meet their goals of reducing operating costs while still providing adequate comfort and safety levels.

    Energy audits also provide an opportunity to gain valuable insight into the performance of a building’s systems and its potential areas of improvement. Building energy audits and evaluating current conditions can help inform decisions about future investments in equipment or upgrades that may prove beneficial in the long run.

    In summary, energy audits are invaluable for facilities looking to save on operating costs, enhance occupant comfort, and improve efficiency. They can help identify areas where improvements and significant energy savings are needed and provide guidance on the most effective ways to implement changes that will lead to long-term savings.

    Benefits of an Energy Audit for Your Commercial Building

    The following are the benefits of an Energy Audit for Your Commercial Building:

    1. Identify areas of inefficiency:

    A professional energy audit will analyze your building’s current energy usage and identify potential problem areas where you can save on energy costs. The proper energy audit may uncover problems with insulation, energy efficiency measures, HVAC systems, lighting systems, control systems, or other equipment that can be resolved to reduce your overall operating costs.

    2. Improve air quality:

    By assessing the air quality inside your commercial building, an energy audit will detect any harmful toxins or allergens present within the space. These contaminants could not only affect the health of employees but also lead to a decrease in productivity if left unaddressed.

    3. Reduce operating costs:

    An energy audit can provide detailed reports outlining how changes to the building can reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing operating costs for commercial building owners. This could be in the form of installing more efficient appliances and implementing smarter control systems that automatically adjust temperature or lighting depending on occupancy levels.

    4. Maximize operational efficiency:

    An energy audit can help you maximize operational efficiency by identifying equipment that is not being used effectively and making recommendations for more efficient operation. These efficiency improvements could include replacing old HVAC systems with newer models or optimizing airflow patterns to improve airflow and reduce energy usage.

    5. Increase environmental sustainability:

    Environmental Sustainability - Reduce your Carbon Footprint

    By improving the efficiency of your commercial building, an energy audit will help you decrease your carbon footprint while meeting green building standards. This could involve switching to LED lighting, installing solar panels, or upgrading insulation to save energy and reduce the energy needed to power your building. In addition, reducing emissions will also help you meet local regulations and improve air quality in the area.

    6. Develop a long-term energy plan:

    An energy audit can provide an in-depth analysis of your current energy consumption patterns and develop a customized plan for reducing operating costs over time. This could involve implementing more efficient operation strategies, such as investing in smart technology or scheduling regular maintenance checks on equipment.

    You can also do energy bill analysis and use this information to create budgeting plans that allow you to make strategic investments into green initiatives without breaking the bank.

    7. Enhance customer satisfaction:

    By improving the efficiency of your commercial building, you can reduce energy and utility bills and create a more comfortable environment for customers. This will lead to enhanced customer satisfaction, which could translate into increased sales or an improved reputation in the business world.

    8. Increase the value of your property:

    Lastly, making improvements suggested by an energy audit may increase the value of your commercial building. The upgrades made as part of an audit can help you save money on energy costs while also increasing the commercial building owner’s resale value if you ever decide to sell or lease the space.

    An energy audit provides many benefits for commercial buildings. By identifying areas where efficiency can be improved, improving air quality, reducing operating costs, maximizing operational efficiency, and increasing environmental sustainability, an energy audit can help you make your building more efficient and increase its value.

    Additionally, it can help you develop a long-term energy plan to ensure that you are always meeting your customers’ needs while staying within budget. Doing an energy survey and investing in an energy audit will pay off in the long run!

    What Should Commercial Property Owners Look for in an Energy Audit?

    As a commercial property owner, it is important to understand the energy efficiency of your building and its systems. A building energy audit assesses the building’s current energy performance, identifies potential wasteful practices, and offers recommendations for improvement.

    Here are some tips on what to look for when selecting an energy auditor:

    Look for Certified Energy Auditors

    Certified Commercial Building Energy Auditors

    The first thing that any commercial property owner should consider is ensuring that the person or organization they choose has been certified by Building Performance Institute (BPI). These organizations train and certify their members as professional inspectors and commercial building energy audit auditors. Certified energy auditors are more qualified than non-certified auditors because they have received specific training in inspecting and evaluating energy efficiency.

    Consider Specialty Services Available

    A commercial property owner will also want to review any specialty services their potential auditor offers that may not be included in a standard inspection. Many organizations offer these services at an additional cost, such as indoor air quality testing or air leakage tests. Depending on the size of the facility and its specific needs, these added services could be essential for ensuring the building’s health and long-term sustainability.

    Understand Any Additional Fees

    Many auditors charge additional fees beyond the base rate for their service. These extra costs can include things like travel fees, report fees, equipment rental fees, personnel costs, or setup/testing fees – so make sure you understand what kind of additional expenses you may encounter with your selected auditor.

    The good news is that many government programs will reimburse businesses for part or all of these costs if they meet certain criteria. Research these programs before undertaking your audit to see if they might apply to you.

    Verify Credibility Through References & Reviews

    Finally, everyone–especially business owners responsible for large properties–should check references from past clients before hiring an auditor. Online reviews can also be helpful—on sites like Yelp! For instance—but take them with a grain of salt; sometimes competitors leave negative reviews about each other under fictitious names just to sway customers one way or another.

    Asking for references from prior customers is a great way to verify an auditor’s credibility so you can decide who will do the best job vetting your property’s energy efficiency potential.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, energy audits can help commercial building owners and operators gain greater insight into how their buildings are performing, pinpoint areas for potential improvement, and take steps to make those improvements. Not only will these changes improve the efficiency of their buildings, but they’ll also save money in the long run. That’s a win-win solution!

    Moreover, regular energy auditing improves asset performance. Furthermore, by partnering with an experienced energy audit provider such as VertPro®, building owners can benefit from sophisticated technology, accurate assessment results, detailed data collection, and analysis tools, among other advantages designed to help develop strategic energy management plans suited to individual business needs.

  • Utilize Los Angeles Benchmarking Metrics

    Utilize Los Angeles Benchmarking Metrics

    As Los Angeles businesses increasingly strive to utilize benchmarking metrics to maximize productivity and profitability, it’s important to create a defined process for implementing a successful strategy.

    Benchmarking is an essential tool for keeping up with industry trends, measuring the performance of individual teams, improving customer service levels, and ultimately driving growth in the company.

    Los Angeles benchmarking can be difficult as numerous factors relating to demographics, geography, and resources must all be taken into portfolio manager account when evaluating success.

    By establishing a precise method that details how data should be collected, analyzed, and used in the decision-making process, companies will have more clarity on their results and objectives so they can make wise business decisions moving forward.

    In this blog post, we’ll explore why creating designated processes specifically tailored for Los Angeles are imperative for optimal performance.

    What Is Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking?

    Los Angeles has a unique program called EBEWE, or Existing Buildings Energy & Water Efficiency Program, that is making strides in revolutionizing energy efficiency. EBEWE requires all existing large multiple buildings to be benchmarked annually. This data is then reported to the City and is used to analyze energy usage trends over time and contribute to emissions reduction goals.

    EBEWE also ensures that owners of larger commercial buildings subject receive full disclosure of their property’s energy use with actionable steps they can take to reduce their emissions. EBEWE is an innovative way for the City of Los Angeles to help combat climate change, increase awareness about environmental sustainability, and promote energy efficiency in privately owned buildings.

    What Are The Requirements For Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking?

    LA Energy Benchmarking requirementsIf you own a commercial building in Los Angeles, then you likely need to comply with the requirements of the city’s energy benchmarking law. This law requires property owners to run data quality checkers and report detailed energy consumption data to the Department of Water & Power (LADWP).

    In order to meet these requirements, property owners must enter their information into an online database called Energy Star Portfolio Manager. This system will generate a score for each property based on how much it uses compared to another associated building.

    Once all necessary information is entered and documented, property owners must submit this data by June 1st of every year so officials can analyze it. With this program, they hope to reduce overall energy consumption and promote more environmentally friendly practices in L.A.

    Who Is Required To Comply With The LA Energy Benchmarking Law?

    The Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking Law requires that commercial buildings larger than 20,000 square feet and residential buildings with five or more units comply with city-mandated energy tracking.

    This law seeks to promote accountability from large-scale building owners so they are aware of their energy consumption, use of renewable energy, and carbon emissions. All building owners must measure and report the energy performance of their property through an online tool managed by the City’s Department of Water and Power each year.

    The online system also allows building owners to track their progress over time and make informed decisions about efficiency upgrades for their properties.

    As one of the largest cities in the nation, LA has a key role in setting a national benchmark for tracking energy consumption levels within its residential and commercial infrastructure – compliance with this law is necessary for progress toward cleaner living environments.

    Step-To-Step On How To Create A Defined Process For Los Angeles Benchmarking

    Los Angeles benchmarking is a great way to track performance objectives and help achieve organizational goals. It is not always an easy task, but with clear guidance and a comprehensive framework, it can be made much easier.

    By following several steps including identifying performance indicators, setting goals, data gathering and analysis, decision making, and creating feedback loops you can create a successful benchmark for your organization.

    Starting by carefully analyzing the current process in place helps ensure that the new system will improve on what has been done before and provide measurable results. The decision then needs to be made on which metrics need to be used in the new system in order to best track progress over time.

    Once proper data has been collected from both internal sources and outside competition it must then be analyzed for areas of strength and weakness so that effective strategies can be designed for the optimization of resource use.

    Finally, a feedback loop should be created so that changes can be tracked moving forward with any adjustments being quickly implemented. Following these steps ensures that an effective process can be established for benchmarking in Los Angeles while continuing the pursuit of ever-improving performance objectives.

    Benefits Of Creating A Defined Process For LA Benchmarking

    Let’s check out the benefits of creating a defined process for LA benchmarking:

    Improved Efficiency

    Having a standard process for benchmarking helps to ensure that all utility data is collected in the same way, making it easier to analyze and draw conclusions. This saves time and money, allowing businesses to focus on more important tasks.

    Increased Accuracy

    By using a consistent process for benchmarking, you can be sure that the data collected is accurate and reliable. This reduces the risk of errors and misinterpretations which could lead to inaccurate conclusions.

    Higher Quality Results

    With a well-defined process, benchmarks can be more reliable and provide a better foundation for decision-making. This leads to improved quality results that could help to identify areas of improvement or opportunities for further development.

    Easier to Stay Up-to-Date

    By having a standard process in place, it’s easier to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies, allowing businesses to stay ahead of the competition.

    Overall, creating a defined process for LA benchmarking can help ensure more efficient and accurate data collection and analysis, leading to higher quality results that can be used to better inform decision-making. It also makes it easier to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, helping businesses to stay ahead of the competition. All in all, having a well-defined process for LA benchmarking can be an invaluable asset to any business.

    When Is The Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking Report Due?

    The Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking Report is due by July 1st of each year. This benchmark report provides an assessment of the energy usage for commercial and multifamily buildings larger than 20,000 square feet and municipal buildings over 10,000 square feet in an effort to identify how energy can be used more effectively in buildings across the city.

    The Earth Engineering Center helps to manage this program and encourages owners of such buildings to submit their annual benchmarking reports on time so that valuable insights about energy efficiency can be used to create actionable plans towards sustainability.

    Local property owners have a unique opportunity to combat climate change through their participation in this program, making energy benchmarking a priority activity well worth participating in.

    What Are The Penalties For Non-Compliance With The Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking Law?

    Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking Law The Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking Law sets out certain standards for commercial and residential buildings that aim to reduce energy use.

    If these benchmarks are not met or if reports are not properly submitted, then those responsible can face consequences from the city of Los Angeles. Penalties start with a warning letter demanding corrective action and if that is not taken, misdemeanor charges can follow.

    A monetary fine of up to $2,500 may also be applied along with community service hours and any other terms deemed necessary by the court. In overall compliance summary statistics, it is vital to adhere to the provisions set out by this law as non-compliance could mean costly penalties for those involved.

    How Can The Lack Of A Defined Process Lead To Inaccurate Or Incomplete Data Sets?

    Without a defined process, it’s impossible to ensure accuracy and completeness in data sets. Without checkpoints and clear steps outlined, vital information might mysteriously disappear or irrelevant details may accidentally be included.

    As the number of potentially inaccurate data sets increases, organizations can end up making decisions based on unreliable sources. This leads to expensive mistakes that could have been prevented by having a well-defined process for gathering information in the first place.

    Moreover, recognizing areas where there is a lack of process and taking action to create one is key to avoiding costly problems down the line. To ensure accuracy and completeness, we must always consider creating processes so that all data sets are as accurate and reliable as possible.

    What Could Be The Potential Consequences Of Faulty Benchmarking Information

    Many businesses rely on benchmarking data to help inform decisions, plan for the future, evaluate their progress, and spot opportunities. However, if this data is flawed or inaccurate, it can lead to serious consequences.

    Companies could make costly investments in infrastructure or services that don’t add value to their business because of incorrect data. Management might think they’re performing extremely well or worse than expected when the truth is far from either of those assessments.

    Blind reliance on misrepresented benchmarking information could result in delayed reactions and missed opportunities as a company fails to stay agile and up-to-date with market trends. Ultimately, faulty benchmarking data runs the risk of damaging a business’s reputation and creating lasting repercussions.

    How Should We Go About Creating A Defined Process That Will Produce Accurate And Reliable Data Sets?

    In order to create consistent, reliable data sets, we must implement a rigorous process that focuses on accuracy and precision. This process needs to include steps that ensure quality control of the data being collected, as well as providing guidance for evaluating whether the results are accurate. We also need to ensure that there is transparency in the manner results are stored and presented so users know exactly where information has been sourced from.

    Furthermore, the process should build robust validation checks and include tools for efficient cleaning and formatting. Finally, analysts must be held to the highest standards and trained adequately in order to produce trustworthy data sets. By focusing on quality over quantity when building these processes, ultimately our goal will be achieved: developing accurate and reliable datasets every time.

    Conclusion

    Implementing a defined process for benchmarking is essential to the success of any business. By understanding how your company compares to others in your industry, you can make informed decisions that will help improve your bottom line. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help. Our team of experts has developed a comprehensive guide that walks you through the entire process, step-by-step. With our easy-to-follow blueprint, you can create a customized benchmarking plan that fits your unique business needs. Ready to get started? Contact us today and let us show you how easy it is to take your business to the next level with benchmarking!