Companies that are concerned about their energy consumption and carbon footprint can hire environmental consultants.
Energy consulting companies are a type of business support service that help businesses assess their current levels of energy consumption and determine the true level of energy needs that would allow the business to operate at maximum efficiency. In many situations, this type of consulting firm would take a close look not only at how various forms of energy are used, but also at ways to modify that use to make it more economical and environmentally friendly. To this end, an energy consulting company will often employ engineers who can provide insight on how to improve the structures used by the client to make energy use more efficient.
There are several ways that energy consulting companies can help a business. A basic service is simply to assess the current level of use of various forms of energy, including electricity, natural gas, or any form of alternative energy used to operate production lines or other customer-owned facilities. Here, the goal is to help customers understand the true costs associated with using various forms of energy.
From there, energy consulting firms often make suggestions on how to improve the use of various forms of energy. Here, the goal is often to help customers develop more efficient methods of energy use, which makes it possible to reduce energy costs. For example, a consultant may notice that energy is being expended to maintain lighting in a section of the operation that is rarely occupied. Installing sensors that automatically turn lights on and off when employees enter and exit the space helps reduce energy consumption and therefore the customer’s energy costs.
Many energy consulting firms employ engineers who can assess client-owned structures and make suggestions for changes, such as adding insulation to walls and ceilings, switching from single-pane windows to double-pane windows, or replacing outdated heating and cooling equipment. what are they unsuitable for the space. In some situations, this type of company will oversee the implementation of changes for a client, dealing with details such as selecting vendors and new equipment, and even obtaining any local permissions that may be required before changes can be made.
In general, energy consulting companies use a structured fee schedule for the types of services they offer. Simple inspections and change recommendations are often based on fixed fees, while long-term involvement in implementing these changes may require the establishment of a contract. The contract helps define the number of hours that will be billed for the effort and the specific tasks that the company agrees to perform on behalf of the client. While hiring an energy consultant can mean a fair amount of upfront expense, the cost is usually recouped in a short period of time, based on the difference in energy costs, once the company’s work is complete.