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Every day we are asked to save energy, reduce
our carbon footprint, and save utility costs.
Some ideas are simple and straightforward - replace
your light bulbs, setback thermostats, increase your
insulation. Some suggestions are more esoteric
- geothermal heat (actually geo-transfer),
photo-voltaic solar panels, condensing boilers, fuel
cells. It can get pretty confusing and
complicated.
In addition some of these ideas
can get expensive.
How can we implement these
important energy and cost saving measures without
spending a lot of money? One answer is Energy
Saving Performance Contracts (ESPC's). Federal,
State and Local governments, as well as school
districts, have been implementing ESPC's for years
and private owners can also benefit from this
innovative tool.
Simply put an EPC or ESPC is a
contract with an Energy Service Company (ESCO) to do
all the analysis and construction work necessary for
you to save energy and money. The cost for the
work is offset by the energy savings realized.
The energy savings are guaranteed. If the
savings are not realized you are reimbursed the
difference, if you realize more savings than
anticipated you get to keep the additional dollars.
Sounds too good to be true -
there are some caveats. These are construction
contracts with all the risks and responsibilities
associated with any project. These are also
design/build agreements so make sure there are
favorable termination clauses should you not want to
pursue the energy conservation measures (ECM's)
proposed by the ESCO. You also want to make
sure you have a design consultant assist you to
assure you get the capital improvements you desire
and they are of the quality you need and expect.
Typical ECM's include: HVAC
upgrades, lighting improvements, building envelope
modifications, automation and energy management
control systems, renewable energy systems, peak
shaving/load shifting.
Measuring methodologies and
verification of the energy savings are also
important factors to consider in your ESPC.
Federal and State agencies have additional
information on these valuable tools to help save
energy and money even with limited capital.
For more information on these and other green
building strategies we have assembled some valuable
links.
click
here.
Michael Shilale Architects, LLP, an eight person
architectural engineering firm founded in 1991,
serves an educational, institutional, municipal,
commercial and residential client base, throughout
New York and New Jersey. For
more information, please call 845-708-9200, or visit
their website at, www.shilale.com.
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