We wrote on Independence Day about how renewable energy is a key tool to achieve independence in the age of dwindling oil reserves and global warming. We also mentioned energy efficiency as part of an overall strategy to achieve a sustainable, independent future. Today we further explore the concept of energy efficiency by talking to Nathan Rothman, the founder and CEO of Optimum Energy, LLC, a company that provides HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) software solutions in energy efficiency.
ER: First of all, what is energy efficiency?
NR: Energy efficiency encompasses a broad range of energy efficiency solutions. I use the term “efficiency solution†deliberately because I believe applying new technologies to mature industries, such as buildings, is the next frontier for innovation – the innovation we need to push this country to the forefront of the international market. Energy efficiency by its very nature is about saving money – you’re not paying for the kWh of electricity that you’re not using. And if efficiency is done right, the savings continue year after year so that after the initial efficiency investment is paid for, the savings go right back into your pocket.
ER: Is it a concept that can be applied to any type of built environment?
NR: Energy performance in buildings deteriorates over time, whether it’s an existing or a new building. Even new buildings, including those that were designed as high energy-efficient sustainable buildings, realize deterioration of as much as 30 percent in the first three years of operation. This means the energy efficiency opportunity is not only large, but if buildings incorporate new technologies that also aid in long-term operation and maintenance, then the efficiency impacts also can be long lasting.
ER: What kind of technology is there to address this issue?
NR: Today we have the chance to use software to operate buildings in ways we’ve never considered before. For instance, GooglePowerMeter is available to homeowners for free. The theory is that by having information about how much energy your home is consuming, you’ll be motivated to find ways to reduce it. On the commercial side, similar solutions are also available today. If you want to take the leap from monitoring to actively managing building operations to reduce energy consumption, you can find solutions for that, as well. Imagine a building that turns the power in your office on as you enter the building, and turns it off when you leave? How about reducing the amount of power a building’s heating and cooling (HVAC) system consumes by up to 60 percent by using a different control methodology? Together lighting and HVAC make up more than 70 percent of a typical building’s energy use, so finding savings in these two areas can lead to substantial savings.
ER:What role does energy efficiency have to play to achieve a cleaner energy future? Is energy efficiency getting the attention that it should by policymakers and enterprises?
NR: While the idea of energy efficiency has been around for a long time, it’s understandable why it seems to take a backseat to exciting new clean energy technologies or climate controversies. But the energy efficiency industry is also innovating rapidly and solutions are available now that are saving building owners money, creating jobs at every stage in the building lifecycle, and driving economic growth. For those paying attention, there are opportunities to not only implement efficiency technologies and realize long-term cost savings, but to build new businesses or grow existing ones. With or without incentives, efficiency is here to stay, and it pays.
The potential for energy efficiency is evident when we compare ourselves to other countries. Germany, for example, uses half as much energy per capita as the US. If we can increase our efficiency by only 20% (and that is definitely within the realm of possibilities), energy efficiency will contribute more to the reduction of fossil fuels than solar.