Sept. 2, 2014: Kit to Help HVAC Contractors Bring Energy Management to Small Buildings
Contractors Can Lower Energy Costs for Building Owners with Minimal Financial Investment
BERKELEY, Calif. — Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) have developed a package of simple analytical steps — and a strategy — designed to bring better energy management and efficiency improvements to small buildings by way of the service providers who are already taking care of these buildings: HVAC contractors.
The Energy Management Package (EMP), developed with the help of contractors and small building owners, is now available for free at http://eis.lbl.gov/smallcomm.html. LBNL said the EMP can help HVAC contractors expand the business they do with small building owners by providing a simple step-by-step guide to provide basic energy management services. The selling point to small commercial building owners is lower energy costs, with minimal financial investment. The package focuses on offices, retail, food service, and food sales buildings, where large opportunities for low-cost energy savings exist. The project targets 3 to 5 percent energy savings per building through low-and no-cost measures.