Energy
Business Energy Procurement and Consulting Services
One of the largest expenses for any organization with physical locations, whether offices, brick-and-mortar stores, campuses, etc., is energy. Keeping the lights on is not cheap, and it is often difficult to budget due to the volatile nature of energy prices.
While there are various energy cost reduction strategies available to businesses, one of the most effective ways to save money is selecting the right energy provider with the best rate and contract terms. Unfortunately, choosing the best energy provider can be just as tricky as picking the right technology vendor or telecommunications provider. With dozens of suppliers, fluctuating rates, and contract terms that vary widely in length and flexibility, it's easy for businesses to overpay or get locked into unfavorable agreements.
In the same way that a technology advisory company can help companies choose the right provider with confidence, so too can an energy procurement and consulting services partner guide clients to the most optimal option.
Energy Broker vs. Business Energy Consultant
The terms "broker" and "consultant" are often used interchangeably. While there's overlap between the two, there are also real differences, with broker being the narrower term. An energy procurement and consulting partner shares traits with both but isn't quite either. As such, it's important to answer:
What is an energy broker?
What is a business energy consultant?
What is an energy procurement and consulting partner?
What is an Energy Broker?
An energy broker for businesses works on behalf of their customers to shop rates across multiple suppliers in deregulated markets. After matching the buyer with a supplier, they will help negotiate a favorable rate and sometimes re-engage near renewal. The relationship is often transactional, with the energy broker getting compensated via a commission or fee.
What is a Business Energy Consultant?
A business energy consultant has a much broader advisory role compared to an energy broker. They act as a strategic advisor, helping customers forecast a budget, manage energy risk, plan around sustainability, and adhere to industry regulations. Some business energy consultants will even make technology recommendations, like deploying Energy Internet of Things (eIoT) devices. Lastly, unlike the transactional relationship one will have with an energy broker, a business energy consultant operates on a more ongoing or strategic partnership.
Why Work With an Energy Procurement and Consulting Services Partner
An energy procurement and consulting services partner combines the functions of an energy broker and a business energy consultant in that it will broker rates and terms on behalf of their customer and offer consulting services.
For example, Conectrix brokers for its clients by working with other suppliers to find long-term energy cost saving rates and provides consulting via advising on eIoT products, efficiency, and sustainability.
This combination makes commercial energy procurement and consulting service partners highly valuable in an increasingly complex and deregulated energy landscape.
Reducing Consumption with eIoT
In addition to working with an energy procurement and consulting services partner, the second layer to reducing energy costs is utilizing the right technology. Namely, businesses should consider deploying eIoT devices and sensors across their physical spaces. This technology can support:
Smart metering and energy monitoring
EV charging infrastructure
LED lighting and retrofits
HVAC efficiency
Solar power systems
Waste and air filtration
Smart Metering and Energy Monitoring
Companies can connect eIoT sensors to utility meters (electricity, gas, water, etc.) to track usage in real-time. By closely monitoring usage and examining larger consumption trends, businesses gain access to powerful insights that help them reduce energy waste.
Additionally, some smart metering solutions permit companies to remotely deactivate or adjust certain utilities in the case of special circumstances like a pipe burst or an extended holiday when a campus will be unoccupied.
EV Charging Infrastructure
While there are many incentives for commercial buildings to install EV charging infrastructure in their parking lots and structures, such as lowering net operating costs and generating new revenue streams, unmanaged charging can actually spike energy bills due to high commercial demand charges. Having eIoT technology and software in place can help control when and how fast EVs draw power.
LED Lighting and Retrofits
For businesses with large commercial spaces, LED lighting can significantly reduce energy consumption as it uses 75% less energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. LED lights can also convert a higher percentage of energy into light rather than heat, reducing load on air conditioning systems. When paired with eIoT, LED lighting can be controlled through smart sensors that adjust brightness based on occupancy or natural daylight, further cutting energy waste.
HVAC Efficiency
In the same way that eIoT allows companies to monitor and control their utilities, so too can it provide opportunities to enhance the efficiency of their HVAC systems. Beyond energy efficiency, eIoT can also support preventative maintenance, prolonging the lifespan of these systems.
Solar Options for Commercial Properties
One of the most cost-effective ways to generate on-site electricity and cut utility costs is by installing solar panels throughout commercial properties. Equipping solar systems with eIoT monitoring allows businesses to track real-time generation and consumption data, making it easier to identify inefficiencies and maximize the return on their investment.
Waste and Air Filtration Systems
Two unlikely places businesses can save money on their energy bills are waste and air filtration. For waste management, smart bins, or waste bins outfitted with eIoT sensors, track fill levels and trends, optimizing pickup schedules and reducing unnecessary hauling costs. Concerning air filtration systems, eIoT sensors monitor air quality metrics and trigger maintenance or filter changes only when actually needed, reducing the cost of unnecessary replacements on a fixed schedule.
How to Lower Business Energy Costs
Contact Conectrix today about our energy procurement and consultation services—don't wait until your next energy bill arrives to realize you need better rates. We serve all 50 states, working with energy brokers, like Abundant IoT and AppDirect, to help customers select the right energy provider with the best rate and contract terms possible to mitigate growing energy costs. Additionally, we offer a full ecosystem of eIoT products including:
EV charging
LED lighting
Water and waste management
HVAC
Electricity and gas
Harmonic filters
Solar (flexible, floating, ground-mounted, and rooftop)
Air filtration
Procurement management (IT auction services and sustainable shipping)
