VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1
Author: Jimmy Veteto
Renewable Energy, Climate Change, Cap and Trade, Sustainable, LEED, Solar, Wind, Alternative Energy, Fossil Fuels, Carbon Footprint, Green, Greener, Greenerer… These are buzzwords. Buzzwords that most of us in the ‘buildings business’ have heard more than we care too. Is going green not cool anymore? With the winter storms this year, I think the global warming crowd lost center stage to the economy, NBA Playoffs and Charlie Sheen. The reaction I’ve received of late from building owners about “going green” can be compared to the likes of comedian and rotten tomatoes. Sure, everyone agrees that recycling and being good stewards with our home planet is a good idea. But come on it’s 2011…let’s get back to important things like the economy.
The most “green” a business can do is become more energy efficient with their building. More than green cleaning products, more than recycling, more than removing cars off the roads and more than renewable energy, reducing energy consumption is the fastest way to go green and save GREEN! Sure, you have probably heard this before. Go green, save green, blah, blah, blah…. But don’t quit reading yet.
In this edition of Mechanical Matters, I want to share a valuable resource that can start reducing energy consumption in your building immediately. No not going to try to sell you some magic box that will make all your energy bills go away. I want to introduce you to a local non-profit group here in the greater Memphis area that is helping businesses reduce energy consumption in their buildings, and keeping costs at a minimum. The group is called Team Green Zone, and they are the “Energy Efficiency Department” of the Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce.
Prior to the creation of Team Green Zone, John Threadgill (President) and Clay Banks (Director of Economic Development) at the Bartlett Chamber had been inundated with calls from their members inquiring about “energy efficiency”. So finally they decided to do something. The decided they should hire someone who could help Chamber members and the greater community of Memphis to lead this new department. That person is Clayton Poff. Clayton has extensive background with the EPA’s Energy Star program, former electrical contractor, and vast experience in maintaining buildings. But he couldn’t do it alone. With limited resources of a non-profit organization Clayton reached out to business professionals in the private community to assist. Soon a board of trustees was created and “Solutions Providers” such as contractors, service providers and vendors joined the effort of Team Green Zone.
Companies like Comfort Systems USA, Ewing/Kessler and Pathway Lending to name a few pulled all their resources to help Clayton and the Chamber. And this is what TGZ does:
- Energy Efficiency Benchmark (EBB)
- Facility Assessment & Recommendations
- Energy Efficiency Project Development Reports
- Project Implementation
- Project Recognition
I have outlined each step and described this process, which is proving to be the most economic and streamlined approach for energy efficiency for buildings.
“Businesses that invest strategically can cut utility costs 10%-30% without sacrificing service, quality, style or comfort.” -Energy Star™ Small Business.
1. Energy Efficiency Benchmark (EBB) and/or Preliminary Audit –
“Where are you? You can’t know where you’re going without knowing where you are.”
For benchmarking your building, Team Green Zone enters your utility information to produce an Energy Star™ score. This step measures the performance of your building against the database of peer facilities. For our preliminary audit, we conduct an audit of your facility to determine if we can develop a project that meets your financial criteria.
*Please note, that all buildings that score an Energy Star™ score less than 50, we will recommend you to work directly with our Energy Services Affiliate Comfort Systems USA to invest in a Full Investment Grade Audit.
2. Facility Assessment & Recommendations –
“Where do you want to go? There are many options we can help sort them out.”
Once the Benchmark and/or audit is complete, the next step is the Assessment. In this step we will determine energy efficiency measures, set goals and define the financial requirements for an Energy Efficiency Project. Our assessment will focus on a staged approach: Operations & Maintenance,
Occupational Behavior, Controls, Lighting, HVAC and Building Envelope.
3. Energy Efficiency Project Development Report –
“How do you get there? There are many routes; we can customize the best path for you.”
Upon completion of the Benchmark and Assessment TGZ will prepare and present the Energy Efficiency Project Development Report. This report provides all the recommended projects, their value, the ROI (return on investment) and incentives. All of the energy savings, operational savings, utility incentives, tax incentives, financing and NET present value will be shown in this report. This step will prove most valuable when making a decision to implement a project.
4. Project Implementation – Once the Energy Efficiency Project Development Report has been evaluated and approved, project implementation will begin. Within Team Green Zone are pre-qualified Solution Providers made of contractors, engineers and vendors for your consideration and acceptance. Please note, that it is not mandatory that the Solution Seeker select only Team Green Zone’s affiliated Solution Providers. Team Green Zone, the Bartlett Area Chamber and their affiliated Solution Providers only serve in an advisory role unless the customer asks that we step out of the advisory role into project implementation. All Solution Providers are listed on TVA’s Preferred Network and screened by our Board of Trustees to ensure quality products and craftsmanship on all Energy Efficiency Projects. The Board of Trustees and Bartlett Area Chamber will prevent vendors and contractors (Solution Providers) to contact the customer during Benchmark, Assessment and Development Report Steps. Team Green Zone understands that building owner’s have a job to do. It’s TGZ’s job to put you on the path to sustainability with as little disruption to business as possible. The “Solution Seeker’s” information will remain confidential at all times.
5. Project Recognition – Upon completion of an Energy Efficiency Project in your building, Team Green Zone will be your partner moving forward for recognition of your achievements such as (but not limited to): Our Team Green Zone – Green Hard Hat Award, Energy Star™ Certification and Plaque (Energy Star™ certified buildings must have a score of 75 or higher), local press/publication of your Energy Efficiency Project.
Team Green Zone automatically gets your company involved on both the national and state level as an Energy Star™ Challenge participant and the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership (TP3).
Working with business professionals, engineers and consultants in the private community, Team Green Zone has put together an “all-star” cast to perform and at the lowest costs. These are the same services my company offers at S.M. Lawrence Company, Inc. / Comfort Systems USA, but we have found that combining our efforts with Team Green Zone provides a win-win for everyone and helps the economy in our community here in the Greater Memphis Area.
I have served as an advisor on many other “Energy” or “Green” affiliations in the past, but like most the end result was a list of recommendations, manuals and best practices. What makes Team Green Zone different is they take an energy efficiency recommendation to implementation. For more about Team Green Zone, please give Clayton Poff a call at (901) 730-2503. TGZ is your resource to put “green” back on the bottom line. AND one more thing: If your building’s HVAC, lighting and or roof is beyond its useful life and in need upgrading, Team Green Zone can capture all the energy benefits and incentives to maximize your savings and reduce capital costs. See the example below.
Call Team Green Zone Today!
Jimmy Veteto
Building Consultant, LEED AP, Director of Business Development at S.M. Lawrence Company, Inc. Memphis, TN
SML is a Comfort Systems USA Company
Follow me on Twitter by clicking here. And be sure to check out my website and all of S.M. Lawrence’s service by going to www.jimmyveteto.com
