Energy Solutions Newsletter

What are your 2014 New Year's Energy Resolutions?  Many commercial building owners and property managers pay an estimated annual energy cost of $2 per square foot.  What energy resolutions can you make to help reduce this high cost per square foot for energy in commercial buildings?  Our feature article "Trifecta of Energy Cost Savings for Commercial Buildings" discusses three low-cost/no-cost methods of energy cost reduction. If you find this information helpful, please forward to a colleague.

  

For commercial buildings, there is a trifecta of low-cost/no-cost methods of energy cost reduction:

1. Rate Tariff Analysis - There are usually electricity and natural gas rate tariff options for commercial buildings.  While rate schedules are designed to send certain financial signals to influence customer energy usage patterns, there are times when simply changing to a different rate schedule may result in an energy cost reduction.
2. Tax Deductions - Currently there is a federal tax deduction, 179D Commercial Building Tax Deduction, for energy conservation projects that were completed between 2005 and 31 December 2013.  The tax deduction is for work performed on the building's interior lighting systems, heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water systems or building envelope.  The taxpayer claiming the tax deduction must obtain certification of the requirements from a qualified individual.
3. Utility Rebates - Many electricity and natural gas utilities, such as Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) have Energy Conservation Programs that may benefit the Customer.  Three of the DVP programs that may benefit commercial building accounts include:

• Energy Audit - Financial incentives are available that help cover a portion of the cost of the audit, up to the full price of the audit, after completing some of the recommended improvements. 
• Duct Testing & Sealing - Customers can receive rebates by having duct and air distribution systems in their existing buildings tested and sealed by a participating contractor using program-approved methods.  This program has the potential for significant energy cost savings.  It is estimated that the rebate would cover most of the cost to test and seal the HVAC ducts.  The DVP Commercial Duct Testing & Sealing Program offers a $90 per Ton rebate for HVAC units 20 tons or less and a $75 per Ton rebate for HVAC units above 20 tons.
• Distributed Generation - The DVP Commercial Distributed Generation Program will pay participating customers an incentive to reduce their consumption of electricity from DVP during a limited number of hours each year when electrical demand is high. Supplemental power would be provided by backup generators located at the customer's facility during these periods.  If backup generation is currently installed at the customer's building or if they are planning to install backup generation, they might be eligible to participate in Dominion's Commercial Distributed Generation Program.  This is a great opportunity for the customer if they have an existing generator.

eDiscoveri helps customers: manage relationships with utilities, improve reliability and reduce energy costs.  Please let us know if we can be assistance to your company or government agency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President

eDiscoveri

+1 804 291 7667