Benchmark Study on Green Buildings - Royal Architectural Institute ...

profitably deliver energy efficiency and environmentally responsible buildings. The
EEBA runs numerous events and training programs to help increase the skills of the US
building industry so they can more implement sustainable design in their daily work. Its
website has numerous building resources and publications on it, and even has an online
bookstore where hard copy learning materials can be procured. The EEBA is directed
mainly at industry professionals, but its online resources can be useful to the general
public as well.
energyhawk.com:
energyhawk.com is a independent reference library of energy conservation tips for homes
and businesses. The site depends on the contributions of thousands of individuals who
publish information about energy conservation and develop new technologies that allow
Americans to use less energy. It is a great place for Americans to find tips on reducing
their energy consumption in all areas of their homes and daily lives.
Energyguide.com:
Energyguide.com is another website with information on how to reduce the energy
consumption of homes and businesses. However unlike energyhawk.com, this site
focuses less on tips and more on how to change the way consumers use their energy and
on how to switch to a greener energy provider. The site also offers a set of tools that can
help people analyze their homes and businesses to identify areas that could see
improvements in energy use and efficiency. Energyguide.com has a section to help
customers locate contractors to help with home energy efficiency upgrades and suppliers
of green and energy efficient products. While focusing less on tips and more on tools,
Energyguide.com provides a different but still useful service compared to
energyhawk.com.
Energy Service Companies (ESCOs):
The hiring of Energy Savings Performance Contractors (sometimes called ESCO
businesses) is an effective way for companies to improve their energy efficiency and save
money. The method is simple: first, a company decides it wants to improve the energy
efficiency of their facility. They then hire an ESPC consultant to conduct an assessment
of their building. Once the assessment is complete, the consultant makes
recommendations where changes can be made to improve energy efficiency. Once the
desired changes have been made, the ESPC is paid an amount equal to or less than the
amount of the savings on the energy bill, until the costs of the assessment and any
additional energy efficiency work or technology installation are covered. Then, the
company realizes 100% of the benefits of the increased energy efficiency. ESCO
agreements have two forms, “Guaranteed Savings Agreement” and “Shared Savings
Agreement.” Guaranteed Savings Agreements are where the consumers cover the costs of
the energy improvements, and Shared Savings Agreements are where the ESCO business
covers these costs. What is important to note is that the repayment contract is longer or
larger depending on the extent to which the ESCO business covers the improvement costs.
The ESPC business strategy makes sense for both itself and the firms interested in the
ESPC’s services because the ESPC is able to provide a valuable service and make a profit,
while the receiving firm never pays more than it would have to under business as usual
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