Better Energy Savings

Retailers looking for dramatic energy savings at the lowest cost should think radical – and that means using an integrated design process right from the start.

“Radically efficient buildings are, among other things, 75% more energy efficient than typical construction” said Paul Westbrook, president of RE:source consulting, at the SPECS session, “An Improved Road to Energy Savings.”

It is hard – and costly – for a building to achieve radical efficiency by addressing energy-saving initiatives incrementally. Rather, retailers should apply an integrated design process. It can deliver tremendous savings in new construction at no additional cost and with a fast payback, Westbrook said.

“With integrated design, everyone has to come together early on in the process,” he explained. “So by the time you get to actual construction, there are no big surprises”

The speaker advised the audience to put things in the right order by addressing efficiency first, and renewable generation second. Solar and wind power may be sexy, but nothing yields better financial and environmental benefits than efficiency.

“Embrace efficiency and the negawatt, which is a measure of energy efficiency or a unit in watts of energy saved,” Westbrook said.

Don’t overlook employees when it comes to energy efficiency.

“The people in the building know their buildings the best,” Westbrook added. “Engage employees for their ideas and reward them for success by sharing some of the operational savings.”