Best Practice Guide

Commercial Office Buildings

Introduction

Planning an Energy Program

Getting Started

Energy Profiles

Assessing Energy Performance

Energy Audits

Energy Policy

Energy Teams

Energy Action Plan

Measurement and Verification

Certification Programs

Funding and Approval

Lighting

Building Envelope

Central HVAC System

Distributed Generation

Demand Response

Commissioning

Procurement Policy

Water Use

Education

Energy Efficiency in Telecommuting

Resources and Appendices

Lessons Learned


Adobe Systems Incorporated and Cushman & Wakefield

Arden Realty and next>edge

Cypress Semiconductor

Equity Office Properties

Glenborough Realty Trust

Natural Resources Defense Council

Qualcomm

Swinerton, Inc.

Transwestern Commercial Services


View the Glossary

Planning an Energy Program

Energy Action Plan

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Once an energy policy has been adopted, craft an action plan that allows the company to achieve its energy goals and objectives. The energy action plan will be a roadmap for continuous improvement, providing concrete steps for moving forward.

Typically an energy action plan is created after an energy audit has identified areas of potential improvement. Most energy audits include recommendations about the benefits and timing of potential energy projects; these will need to be evaluated by company decision makers to determine which projects fit internal investment criteria. The energy team can then assign specific tasks to its members, both in-house and outside consultants. If critical actions are being carried out by consultants, then the energy team should design a measurement and verification (M&V) plan for evaluating results.

Regular meetings of the energy team help to assess progress and keep focus on action items. Depending on the scope of the energy program and the size of the company, it may make sense to create incremental performance targets for specific facilities or departments to ensure that each unit of the company is making adequate progress.

Let employees, tenants and customers know about the energy policy and action plan and ask for their help in achieving goals. Raising awareness and encouraging behavioral change can have a major impact on energy savings in addition to reflecting well on the company's reputation.


Resources

ENERGY STAR'S Guidelines for Energy Management, Create Action Plan.