Energy audits are often conducted based on guidelines from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The Stone House Group has experience providing ASHRAE Level 1, 2, and 3 energy audits that provide a comprehensive assessment of a building's energy performance and efficiency. Our process involves evaluating all aspects of a building's mechanical system operation and building controls to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, cost, and carbon emissions.
Benefits of completing an energy audit include:
- Identifying energy-saving opportunities and cost-effective measures.
- Optimizing building performance and improving occupant comfort.
- Reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills.
- Enhancing sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
- Increasing equipment reliability and longevity.
- Prioritizing energy efficiency investments based on cost-effectiveness.
- Taking advantages of energy efficiency incentives, rebates, or financing programs.
- Complying with energy efficiency regulations and standards.
- Improving building marketability and asset value.
- Gaining insights into long-term energy management strategies.
Our work is conducted by a team of engineers with extensive experience in the energy efficiency industry. We develop Energy Capital Investment Plans (ECIP's) that identify energy projects through iterative calculations cataloged by capital investment, cost savings, and estimated return on investment.
Relevant Staff Certifications:
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
Energy Benchmarking is the process of comparing a campus, portfolio, or building's energy performance to that of similar buildings. Our benchmarking provides a useful tool for identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and quantify sustainability performance.
There are a number of energy benchmarking tools available, both free and paid. Some of the most popular tools include:
- Energy Star Portfolio Manager
- ENERGY STAR Target Finder
- Green Button Connect
- LEED Online
- SHG’s proprietary Energy Use Intensity (EUI) Benchmarking
The benefits of energy benchmarking include:
- Identifying energy-saving opportunities
- Setting energy-efficiency goals
- Tracking progress over time
- Comparing your building's performance to that of similar buildings
- Complying with energy-efficiency regulations
- Attracting tenants and investors
- Increasing the value of your property
Relevant Staff Certifications:
- Professional Engineer (PE)
Energy modeling is a process of simulating the energy performance of a building using computer software. This process involves creating a virtual model of the building, including its orientation, geometry, construction materials, and mechanical systems. The model will calculate a building's hourly energy consumption and predict its annual performance under different conditions, such as weather and occupancy levels. Our team models energy performance and life cycle costs to analyze the benefits of investments in energy efficiency.
The benefits of energy modeling include:
- Identifying energy-saving opportunities
- Optimizing performance of a building's mechanical systems
- Complying with energy codes and standards
- Attracting tenants and investors
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- Obtaining LEED points
- Attaining Federal, state, and utility incentives
One of The Stone House Group’s foundational principles is energy management and reduction. As an integral part of our practice, we routinely model the energy consumption to optimize systems for energy savings.
Relevant Staff Certifications:
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
The Stone House Group analyzes federal, state, local, and incentives that help reduce or offset capital needs for energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. We evaluate the potential to leverage energy grants, incentives, and financing to support organizations that are evaluating energy efficiency investments and renewable energy projects. These programs can include:
Our team has experience working with incentive programs throughout the country to provide benefits for our clients. The Stone House Group has assisted clients to capture grants and incentives in ten states and on the Federal level. Recognizing the strategic significance of the Inflation Reduction Act, our organization has resolved to capitalize on the tax incentives it provides. These incentives serve as a valuable tool, enabling us to channel our resources into groundbreaking initiatives that promote renewable energy and enhance energy efficiency. By leveraging these fiscal advantages, we aim to catalyze positive change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future.
An energy procurement strategy constitutes a comprehensive blueprint that directs an organization's approach to the acquisition of energy resources in order to fulfill its operational requirements. Our team undertakes a meticulous evaluation of diverse factors, encompassing cost, reliability, and environmental ramifications, with the objective of formulating a strategy that aligns seamlessly with the organization's overarching objectives. In instances where we collaborate with risk-averse clients, our primary objective revolves around providing price certainty coupled with budgetary stability. This entails securing long-term contracts with suppliers who have demonstrated reliability, utilizing hedging strategies to mitigate price fluctuations, and implementing a diversification strategy for energy sources, thereby minimizing exposure to market risks.
The benefits of Energy Procurement include:
- Lower costs
- Reduced risk
- Improved reliability
- Increased sustainability
- Enhanced compliance
The Stone House Group has been providing energy procurement services since 2009 when energy market deregulation took effect in Pennsylvania. Now our team provides energy procurement strategies for clients in a variety of states.
The transition to harnessing renewable energy sources is a crucial step toward fostering a sustainable energy future. Engaging in a feasibility study of renewable energy presents substantial benefits for enterprises and organizations seeking to decarbonize their buildings and contemplate the transition to renewable energy sources. Such a study involves a comprehensive evaluation of the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of potential renewable energy projects, culminating in informed decision-making. By undertaking a renewable energy feasibility study, businesses and organizations can assess the viability, costs, and benefits of adopting renewable energy solutions, ensuring alignment with their environmental and sustainability goals.
Some key advantages include:
- Comprehensive analysis of potential renewable energy projects
- Evaluate viability, cost savings, ROI of project
- Identify suitable renewable energy technologies
- Ensure selection of efficient, cost-effective technology
- Detailed financial analysis, cost estimations, incentives
Assessing the potential for building decarbonization provides a roadmap for the implementation and operation of a renewable energy system. This type of planning provides invaluable information for organizations planning for future energy needs and making informed decisions about system expansion or upgrades.
Relevant Staff Certifications:
- Renewable Energy Professional (REP)
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
Utility master planning is a comprehensive process that involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing energy-related infrastructure projects. It is a systematic approach that enables organizations to align their energy infrastructure investments with their long-term energy goals and objectives. Key elements of utility master planning include data collection and analysis, scenario planning, project identification and prioritization, financial planning and resource allocation, and implementation and monitoring. By developing utility master plans, organizations can benefit from long-term energy planning, improved infrastructure efficiency, enhanced sustainability and resilience, regulatory compliance, and effective stakeholder engagement.
The benefits of Utility Master Planning include:
- Reducing energy costs
- Improving infrastructure reliability
- Decarbonizing heating and cooling systems
- Analyzing the potential for campus/building electrification
- Developing long-term utility planning
- Aligning utility plans with building Master Plans
The Stone House Group has partnered with architects and engineers to align campus Master Plans with Utility Master Plans. Our process analyzes life cycle costs of utility systems that include capital, maintenance, equipment, and energy costs.
Relevant Staff Certifications:
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
- Certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP)
- LEED AP O+M
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