Five green retrofits electricians should be pitching to drive business
by gbiadmin
The following article was submitted by Houston Neal of Software Advice. All views expressed are that of the author only.
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Retrofitting is big business theses days. A number of reports forecast building retrofits to become a multi-billion dollar market over the next few years. Electrical Software Advice sees this as a great opportunity for electricians. To win a piece of the burgeoning market, they suggest electrical contractors pitch the following 5 retrofits:
1) Relamping - Over 2 million commercial buildings in the US have antiquated lighting systems. Updating these systems with energy efficient bulbs will not only lower electricity costs for building owners, but reduce carbon emissions as well.
2) Daylight harvesting - Daylight harvesting systems use photosensors to detect light levels in a room. As sunlight becomes available, the artificial lighting will be reduced. When it’s cloudy or becomes dark outside, the level of artificial lighting will increase. These systems can reduce lighting energy costs by 20 to 60%.
3) HVAC retrofits - While some HVAC retrofits will always require the know-how of mechanical contractors, others can be performed by an electrician because of their overlapping skills and knowledge. For example, electricians can install electrical consumption economizers – devices that reduce energy use of AC units – or programmable thermostats that optimize efficiency of HVAC equipment.
4) Solar panels and wind turbines - Both solar panels and wind turbines are gaining traction among homeowners and building owners. Lower production costs, government rebates and tax incentives are the primary drivers of the increased adoption. Because these systems actually generate electricity, building owners may be able to receive payment or energy credits from their utility company.
5) Energy management systems and monitoring devices - Popularized by Google and Microsoft, energy management systems can save homeowners 5 to 15% on their monthly electricity bills. If half our country adopted these systems, Google says this would be the equivalent of taking eight million cars off the road!
To read the full report, click here
05/21/10 05:45:04 pm, 