December 26, 2018 Energy consulting firms can be beneficial to organizations of all sizes to help reduce their energy consumption and become more environmentally friendly. As the demands for sustainable building practices increase, energy efficiencies and green construction have become increasingly desirable within savvy organizations.
In fact, the statistics show that the green building market is anticipated to be among the fastest growing industries worldwide. The number of LEED-certified projects in the United States rose from 296 certifications in 2006 up to over 65,000 in 2017.
Simply put, going green as a business is a trend that shows no sign of slowing. Here’s why companies from California to New York (and everywhere in between) are using energy consulting firms to help them meet their sustainability goals.
Green Buildings Bring in More Green
Green building systems like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard are expected to continue to drive up the demands for more green building projects. As one of the most popular green building certification programs worldwide, LEED (developed by the U.S. Green Building Council), provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.
But, is it worth it?
Studies have shown that workers in environmentally friendly environments have increased labor productivity, job retention and days worked. And other research states that ‘Green’ commercial buildings — those that met energy efficiency and sustainability standards such as LEED and ENERGY STAR — can bring in more revenue.
Considering environmentally friendly office buildings tend to have higher rents and occupancy rates, as well as more satisfied tenants, building owners and investors are positively affected by the choices they make on investments in energy and sustainability.
But, for many, energy efficiency is not about achieving a certification. It’s about implementing tangible, realistic measures in existing structures to promote cost savings, capitalize on tax incentives or simply gain a market edge in their particular industry.
Outside of becoming LEED certified, for example, these businesses seek out environmentally-friendly changes due to the potential cost savings of implementing green designs. Whether that’s installing solar panels to prevent blackout conditions for a high-security business or installing energy star appliances to reduce energy bill expenses for a university, the possibilities are virtually limitless.
Read more: Sustainable “Green” Building Design Checklist
Going Green with a Trusted Energy Consulting Firm
From commercial energy analysis and recommendations for construction projects and building retrofits to solar energy solutions, trusted energy consulting firms, like KMB, can help companies to maximize their energy demands and provide efficient solutions. KMB provides services such as analyzing energy usage and solutions for areas where energy efficiency can be improved.
As one of the top energy consulting firms in the United States, KMB provides comprehensive energy solution services for clients nationwide. Our Facilities & Energy Engineering professionals have the energy engineering experience, resources and technical skills required to meet and exceed your needs. Contact KMB’s Engineering experts for more information on your next energy project.