Outside assistance has long been the lifeblood of businesses, large and small. Contracting out operations that need highly specialized skills allows firms to flourish without investing time or money while also allowing them to expand.
In many situations, these collaborations represent a chance for business owners and team members to focus their efforts on other parts of the organization’s development, saving time that might be spent on work that they may not be competent to perform.
It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that tapping into the highly skilled agency and consultancy resources can help boost web traffic or manage a database since the same concept is now aiding firms to address their energy challenges.
In today’s deregulated market, a competent energy consultant may become an important extension of a business, allowing them to purchase, use, and efficiently monitor energy while being kind to both their budgets and the environment.
Is An Energy Consultant Right for You?
The necessity for and long-term advantages of an energy consultant are dependent on a variety of criteria that vary from company to company. Larger enterprises with straightforward utility bills or those who rent or lease a small area (i.e., you have little control over the physical structure and use little equipment/machinery) are less likely to profit from an energy consultant than smaller businesses.
However, organizations with large or complex energy demands (large or small) may be shocked to discover that their energy expenses are as high as they are complicated. In these circumstances, an energy consultant can assist businesses reel in spending and use. This is especially true for firms with numerous locations, multi-use constructions (such as office spaces and manufacturing or production services), and/or sophisticated energy profiles.
It’s worth noting that consultants aren’t your only option when it comes to managing your energy. You can always handle them in-house, which can often become a full-time job. For that reason, some companies hire in-house energy managers. On the plus side, you have someone on the inside who is close to your company and needs. The downside is that you’ll be on the hook for training as well as regular salary and benefits, and once you get your energy strategy on track, that can be an expensive and unnecessary commitment.
Finally, you may also work directly with the utility providers, which is almost certainly what you’re already doing, or you may engage an energy broker. In the end, it’s vital to remember that you have several choices available to you.
So, you’ve decided that you need to make a change and an energy consultant appears like a sensible choice, but how do you pick the best one? What should you pay attention to when looking for someone to help with your energy problem?
- Required Licenses/Certifications
A competent energy consultant will be able to produce documentation showing that they are qualified or certified by your state’s rules. The state utility commission site usually has a list of utility entities, including consultants, that fulfil the state criteria. This would be the utility regulatory commission (URC), public utility commission (PUC), or public service commission (PSC) in your area.
- History of Success:
A reputable energy consultant will back up his or her claims with facts. Testimonies or reviews from satisfied companies are a good method to tell the difference between hollow boasts and tried-and-true outcomes.
- Well-Rounded Skill Set
A good energy consultant should be an authority on the subject. That is precisely what sets them apart as a valuable asset in your energy goals. A genuinely successful business, however, is usually made up of a mix of people with diverse skills in
engineering, management, and even IT. Working together, these talents produce better project management, on-site diagnostics and solutions implementation, as well as the development and usage of technology tools and resources that aggregate and make sense of data.
- Upfront About Services
A competent consultant will generally do an audit, assist you in obtaining lower rates, and show you how to save energy. Some, on the other hand, will function as a project manager rather than providing you with a list of beneficial adjustments without much insight into how to put them into action. Inquire about any potential constant services before pricing and scheduling so you can get it right.
- Customized Service
You should get the impression that you are a priority, and that the consultant is eager and ready to provide customized energy management after just a few interactions. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation, and the ideal consultant will adjust their efforts to your specific business needs and challenges, concentrating on short- and long-term outcomes as well as manageability.
If your business is having trouble measuring energy use and calculating costs, it may be time to consider outsourcing its energy management needs. Energy consultants have a solid understanding of the sector’s intricacies. Consider your present energy requirements and whether hiring a consultant might be a helpful step forward. We recommend contacting SRE who are specialists in this field and will be able to advise you and your business extensively.
Anika Sharma