Why Utility Bills Increase Even After Efficiency Projects
The new equipment is more efficient, the controls were upgraded, and the utility bill still increased. What happened?
The new equipment is more efficient, the controls were upgraded, and the utility bill still increased. What happened?
Two energy audits can carry the same label and leave a building owner with very different results. One suggests familiar upgrades such as new lighting or HVAC equipment. The other shows where energy is wasted, which improvements matter most, what...
For years, energy strategy in multifamily buildings was relatively straightforward: design to code, keep owner-paid energy use low, and let tenants pay for the rest. Today, that approach is becoming less effective. Rising utility costs, increasing...
For years, sustainable building design focused mostly on reducing energy use. Efficiency remains the foundation of building decarbonization, lower utility costs, and stronger long-term performance. But as energy systems evolve, efficiency alone is...
Energy modeling is often treated like a technical step. Something the engineering team handles. Something simple to do for energy code compliance. Something to revisit once the design is further along.
Many organizations pursue sustainability one project at a time: an energy audit, a controls upgrade, a lighting retrofit, or a renovation that finally gets funded. Those efforts can deliver real wins. But when they happen independently, it is harder...
Geothermal has a habit of resurfacing every few years as the next big green breakthrough. The conversation usually narrows quickly to two questions: “Is it efficient?” and “Is it worth the investment?” That framing misses what geothermal actually is.
The new year brings with it a new budget, new KPIs, and most likely, new utility rates. 2026 promises higher energy rates across the board, including increases in demand charges. Determined at the moment in time your building uses the most energy...
Long-term goals and promises are great, but results are what matter. As owners, lenders, and regulators converge on higher expectations for sustainable buildings, credible data is no longer negotiable. Heading into 2026, make sure every claim is...