Hire An Energy Manager

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Affordability

An energy manager is usually a full-time, dedicated position. For smaller companies, a roving or part-time energy manager / consultant can be used.

Cost savings

Inefficiencies create unnecessary costs that lower an organization’s profitability and competitiveness. An energy manager’s day-to-day energy management and longer-term planning can lead to energy savings of 10 to 30% or more.

What you need to know

An energy manager's job may involve the following roles:

• Conducting energy assessments to identify energy-saving opportunities throughout the facility.
• Setting energy targets and reviewing performance against the targets.
• Ensuring that all mechanical and electrical systems are running at peak operating conditions and operating hours are optimized.
• Monitoring the organization’s energy use and developing an energy management plan.
• Evaluating and presenting energy-saving initiatives to senior management for investment.
• Advising on the purchase of energy-efficient equipment and technologies.
• Implementing energy efficiency projects.
• Training, educating and involving employees in identifying and implementing energy efficiency initiatives on an ongoing basis.
• Read about the benefits of energy management.
• Learn more about energy management workshops and energy manager certification.
• Find out about BC Hydro energy management assessment workshops.
• Explore other on-line tools for energy assessments.

FAQ

We are a small organization and cannot afford a full-time Energy Manager. What else can we do?
For smaller businesses, consider a roving or part-time Energy Manager. They will perform the same functions but on a part-time basis where a full-time Energy Manager is not required. An Energy Manager can focus on the job and is in a good position to view all of the building’s systems as an integrated whole. The Energy Manager position may be filled from within the organization or by an outside energy consultant. For small organizations, be sure to at least appoint one person to be your ‘point person’ on energy matters for the building.

What is the first step for our energy manager or ‘point person’?
Begin by doing an energy assessment. BC Hydro offers some free assessments for lighting use and energy service companies can help with other areas needing assessments. Use the results of the assessment to prioritize your organization’s energy conservation actions to maximize energy savings, designing a solution in the most effective manner.

How can we show senior management the value of investing in an Energy Manager?
Only if upper management is fully behind the goal of energy efficiency will the Energy Manager be able to generate the support of others in the organization. An important part of an Energy Manager’s role is to show senior management the value of investing in energy efficiency by pointing out both the monetary and non-monetary benefits of energy projects – and the value of maintaining energy efficiencies over time (continuous improvement). Try to demonstrate the cost savings as well as the savings in greenhouse gas emissions. Check whether your business type is included in our Managing Energy Costs by business list – this offers tangible ideas for energy cost savings.