If your company is like most these days, money-saving measures are high on the priority list. Sure, the usual expense suspects include labor, real estate and other operating costs. However, utility costs should be on that list.
While the energy-use price tag on your company's operations may not make up the bulk of your operating costs, they still warrant scrutiny. What you may not know is that your local utility company can be a powerful friend in the search to find ways to trim your energy costs.
Sure, you're well aware that you can discuss rates and tariffs and other special incentive rates when it comes to your bill. And perhaps you've also discovered that the local utility is a fantastic resource during a business expansion or relocation. But the buck doesn't stop there as far as the ways your local utility can help your bottom line.
Audits reveal hidden money
Probably more than ever before, businesses today need efficiency in all aspects of their operations. This is where utility audits or energy audits can come into play.
First of all, be advised that not all utility companies offer this service, but many do. However, whether they do or don't, all utility companies will find some way to work with you on these issues if you will just ask them.
There are plenty of private companies out there that will conduct audits of your operations to find out where time and money is being lost, but be sure to check with your local utility company first to see what it might offer. Indiana's Hoosier Energy provides just one example of how a utility company can assist in matters of efficiency.
For companies that want to put their operations under the microscope, Hoosier Energy will conduct an energy audit to help uncover inefficiencies. The utility will subsequently make suggestions about how those inefficiencies can best be fixed.
"We will spend about a half day or so on-site and ask the company one to two hours' worth of questions regarding their age of machinery, pneumatics, and other things," said Richard Heupel, manager of member and key accounts for Hoosier Energy. "We will do a walk-through and look at electric equipment, lighting issues, HVAC, parking lot lights and hours of operations."
While the service is not free, Hoosier Energy will split the cost of the audit with the company and then reimburse the company once it takes steps to eliminate the inefficiencies.
Heupel reported that one very common problem is compressed air line leakages. He said that tightening and sealing leaks could reduce the hours the compression engine runs, thus resulting in energy savings for the company. While Hoosier Energy will make new equipment recommendations, that's not the business it is in. Hoosier Energy leaves that to other industry material providers such as Johnson Controls.
"We maintain an arm's length distance," said Heupel. "We have no interest in the sale of the product. We want to be a resource in using the product they buy."
Seek out creative proposals
Some companies may want an energy audit included
in the electric cost proposals they request from local
utility companies.
"Utility companies can get creative in the package deals they will put together," said Clay Hathaway, community development manager for American Electric Power in Tulsa, Okla. "A company might ask us to bid on three megawatts of power for the next year or two, and also ask for an energy management analysis to be included in the bid."
Hathaway also mentioned that the need for energy audits also depends on a company's level of sophistication. If your company has an energy management engineer, then obviously energy audits may be an in-house matter. But if not, look to your local utility for assistance.
Utilities generate sound energy advice
Utility companies are experts at giving your company tips on ways to optimize your bottom line. Baltimore Gas & Electric offers no cost/low costs energy tips, information on complete system overhauls and it can you put you in touch with other helpful sources.
BG&E's Web site offers links to resources where you can find online business energy check-ups, energy regulatory information, and other energy-maximizing tips. Ultimately, utility companies want to see your business succeed. What's good for you, is good for them. Remember that they are here to help in any way they can, and that includes helping you realize bottom-line savings.
"We don't just want to send our customers a bill each month; we want to help them manage their energy," said Hoosier Energy's Heupel.
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