Whether you’re building a new facility for your company or looking to improve your existing facility, you may want to consider working with a commercial building energy consultant. These consultants help companies minimize waste and realize their sustainability goals.
Optimizing energy usage isn’t just great for the environment—it’s great for your company. Whether you need some convincing yourself or you need some talking points to sway stakeholders, you’ll want to consider these key ways commercial building energy consulting services can help you lessen your environmental impact while also helping your bottom line.
1. Reduce Your Energy Costs
One of the most direct and immediate financial benefits you can expect from energy consulting is lower utility bills. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, commercial buildings waste up to 30 percent of the energy they consume. That’s an alarming statistic, but it also means that addressing inefficiencies can quickly make a difference in your company’s operating costs. And what company doesn’t want to shrink overhead costs?
For existing facilities, consultants identify inefficiencies in energy usage and equipment and recommend changes to help you optimize energy use and lower costs—both now and over the long term. For new construction, consultants can recommend design features to help you optimize your building for energy efficiency from the start.
2. Comply with Relevant Regulations
Environmental regulations have steadily increased over the years, so staying on top of the regulatory landscape can be a difficult task. With laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels, there may be multiple laws you need to adhere to. (Your industry may also subject you to specific regulations.)
Commercial building energy consultants shouldn’t necessarily stand in for environmental law firms or specialized legal consultants, but they can help businesses navigate energy regulations and standards as they improve their overall approach to sustainability.
Compliance helps companies avoid fines, but the financial incentives don’t stop there. Some efficiency upgrades consultants recommend may not be legally mandated but could help you earn tax breaks, grants, subsidies, or other governmental benefits.
3. Drive up Your Building’s Market Value
Energy-efficient buildings are increasingly valued in the real estate market due to their lower operational costs and reduced environmental impact. If you’re a property owner, you should be looking to drive up your property’s market value through enhanced energy efficiency.
Energy consultants can help you realize that goal. They may even help you achieve certifications like LEED and ENERGY STAR or help you qualify for programs like PACE. All of these achievements can increase your commercial building’s marketability and resale value.
4. Boost Your Business’s Reputation
Businesses are always on the lookout for ways to differentiate themselves from the competition, but have you considered making a name for yourself as an environmentally conscious company? In our current cultural, political, and economic climate, businesses that prioritize energy efficiency gain a competitive edge by appealing to environmentally-conscious customers and employees.
Research shows that nearly two-thirds of consumers are highly concerned about sustainability. People today are more conscious of the ways businesses do or don’t reflect their values, and many consumers and workers are looking for companies that don’t just pay lip service to sustainability but integrate it into their everyday practices. That includes the way you operate your commercial facilities. Some consumers won’t have to look far. In New York City, buildings must post their energy efficiency grade on the front door, making this part of the business’s first impression.
For commercial real estate investors, energy-efficient buildings can attract tenants who value sustainability. That means you can expect higher occupancy rates and increased tenant retention when you prioritize sustainability with help from a consultant.
5. Enhance Occupant Comfort and Productivity
The icing on the cake: Commercial building energy consulting can help you make your building a more pleasant place to be. Energy-efficient buildings often provide better indoor air quality, lighting, and temperature control, which improves occupant comfort.
For retail spaces, that means encouraging shoppers or guests to linger and enjoy their experience. For office buildings, it means making employees feel more at home and enhancing their productivity. No matter who’s spending time in your building, they’re more likely to feel at home when the environment is dialed in. While it may be harder to measure the impact of this benefit, you can safely assume it will positively influence your profitability over time.
Get Started with Commercial Building Energy Consulting from NGS
In both direct and indirect ways, improving your building’s energy efficiency can also mean improving your company’s bottom line. NGS has you covered with commercial building sustainability solutions. We’ll identify opportunities for improvement and help you achieve your energy efficiency goals. Plus, NGS offers energy modeling services, which help you compare potential efficiency options through long-term projections to find the very best solutions for your building. Ready to get started? Learn more about commercial building energy consulting from NGS!
