February 2015 — Property Management Quarterly —
Page 17
W
e hear a lot about how
new energy technologies
are changing our world –
from solar gardens to tidal
power to wind ranches.
While Xcel Energy is proud to help
usher in new energy solutions, we
understand that property managers
want options to meet their needs, bud-
get and resources. Following are some
options Xcel Energy offers to help
property managers increase energy
efficiency in their buildings and make
a business case for the investment.
Nearly 1,800 Colorado businesses
have completed an on-site energy
assessment since 2009. And in 2014,
the average on-site energy assessment
identified over $5,700 in annual energy
savings for each participating business.
For commercial property manag-
ers, you must ask yourself, “What are
my best options for creating a more
comfortable and energy efficient build-
ing?” Energy-efficiency efforts can help
your property use less energy, be less
carbon-dependent and become more
affordable to operate.These are several
common actions to consider when
looking to increase your building’s effi-
ciency:
• Evaluate property with a study.
• Upgrade or replace heating and
cooling systems and components.
• Add or upgrade an existing energy
management system.
• Consider a custom-designed plan.
Three Ways to Get Started
The process of evaluating ener-
gy-efficiency projects can seem
overwhelming.
Here are three
approaches
designed to save
money and energy.
1. The on-site
energy audit.
An
onsite energy audit
gives managers a
real-time snapshot
of your facility’s
current energy use.
An energy adviser
conducts a com-
prehensive audit
at your facility, and you receive a
detailed report. The report points
out energy conservation opportuni-
ties, which could include lighting,
heating and cooling, and energy
management systems. The report
also identifies the associated pay-
back, which explains how quickly
each improvement might pay for
itself in energy savings. Additionally,
the report lists available rebates for
which the building would qualify.
The on-site energy audit fees run
from $2,000 to $2,700, depending on
square footage.
2. Recommissioning.
Recommis-
sioning is a deeper dive into the
building’s energy uses. It’s designed
to improve the comfort and effi-
ciency of building systems while
reducing operating costs. Recom-
missioning identifies existing func-
tional systems that can be “tuned
up” to run as efficiently as possible
through low- or no-cost improve-
ments. There are two parts: the
diagnosis, which is a recommission-
ing study, and the implementation,
which is the action plan. Xcel Ener-
gy offers rebates for recommission-
ing studies and the implementation
of recommissioning measures. Hav-
ing a detailed report can make it
easier to win over decision-makers.
There are many benefits to con-
ducting a recommissioning pro-
gram. In addition to being eligible
for rebates on the cost of the study
and measures implemented, the
results can save as much as 15 per-
cent on energy bills. Also, a building
can earn valuable credits for envi-
ronmental programs and increase
its Energy Star score. Other benefits
include:
• Increasing equipment life and
reducing wear and tear;
• Receiving independent, objective
and expert direction on energy-sav-
ing options; and
• Providing newsworthy stories to
share with your audience and peers.
3. Energy advisers:
If you want help
determining the best route for ener-
gy efficiency, Xcel Energy offers a
team of energy efficiency specialists
who can advise property managers
about which programs best match
their building’s needs, along with
financial resources.
Through energy-efficiency efforts,
property managers will be able to
maximize equipment performance,
whether it’s new equipment or
maintenance measures to keep cur-
rent energy equipment performing
safely and effectively. If new equip-
ment is needed, a specialist can
work with managers to locate the
best vendors.
Energy assessments can help
property managers identify building
improvements. An adviser can walk
through the variety of audits and
studies, along with the money-sav-
ing rebates. He can help complete
documentation and applications as
well.
Additionally, to help property
managers make a business case for
energy improvements, the adviser
can provide information about pay-
back, potential savings, funding
resources or green-energy alterna-
tives that will help sell your project
and provide rationale for funding.
s
Sustainability
Paul Schneider
Energy efficiency
specialist, Xcel
Energy
ANNOUNCING
4 SCOOPS
FOR BROKERS
Our phenomenal growth in property
management assignments has been
sweetened by brokers like you.
To show our appreciation for all new
referrals you bring us, we will pile on
4 profitable opportunities for you:
REFERRAL FEE EQUAL TO
FIRST MONTH’S MANAGEMENT FEE
100% COMMISSION ON ALL
NEW LEASES
100% COMMISSION ON ALL
LEASE RENEWALS
FUTURE OPPORTUNITY TO
LIST PROPERTY FOR OWNER
Call Steve or Kade today!
SESSIONS GROUP
REAL ESTATE SERVICES
936 E. 18th Ave. Denver, CO 80218
Steven S. Sessions
Chief Executive Officer
303.875.2995
Kade Sessions
President
303.356.5508
Here are seven financially
based reasons to become more
energy efficient:
1. Lower energy bills and oper-
ating and maintenance costs;
2. Increased lifetime savings
and efficiency of operation;
3. Lower energy-efficiency proj-
ect costs;
4. Faster paybacks;
5. Lower up-front costs;
6. Higher return on investment;
and
7. Reduced emissions and
pollution.
