What are the benefits of a comprehensive building energy assessment performed by a professional energy auditor? 

A  comprehensive building energy assessment will provide you with an energy efficiency “roadmap” so that your organization can make intelligent decisions with regards to what energy efficiency improvements have the best return on investment.  Improvements will result in cost savings, improved air quality and building comfort, and an opportunity to catch up on deferred maintenance.

Why should we work with the Energy Alliance to improve our building’s energy efficiency?

As a nonprofit organization, the Energy Alliance understands how essential reducing your energy usage is to lowering your operating costs.  The Energy Alliance can assist your organization by facilitating an initial energy usage assessment and then possibly a whole building energy assessment to determine where the biggest energy losses and inefficiencies are located.  The Energy Alliance, through its network of approved contractors, can help you implement energy efficiency upgrades while providing financial assistance for qualifying organizations.

How can my nonprofit organization take advantage of the Energy Alliance’s services?

The Energy Alliance Nonprofit Building Performance Program is open to 501c(3) organizations in the Energy Alliance’s service territory which consists of the following counties: Ohio: Hamilton (including City of Cincinnati); Kentucky: Boone (including City of Florence), Kenton (including City of Covington), and Campbell Counties.

At a minimum, your organization must participate in the Energy Star Portfolio Management program which includes inputting your utility usage for the previous 2 years.   If an energy efficiency project is completed, an additional 1 year of utility usage entry is required.  As part of the Energy Alliance’s program, you will be required to educate your staff and membership on conservation solutions. 

What is a building energy assessment?

An Energy Alliance whole-building assessment is a reduced-cost basic facility review of the lighting, mechanical, building envelope, and HVAC systems.  Following the assessment, a report listing energy efficiency upgrades and an estimate of project costs and savings is generated.

How much does a building energy assessment cost?

The Energy Alliance Nonprofit Building Performance Program energy assessments are available at a discounted rate.  The Energy Alliance currently covers up to 75% of the energy assessment cost.

Can we use our own contractor for performing an energy assessment and then installing the energy efficiency improvements?

To receive Energy Alliance services one of our pre-qualified contractors must be used.  If you already have a “trusted” contractor, then, the Energy Alliance can work with you to potentially qualify the contractor so that the contractor could perform some and/or all the energy efficient improvements.

Who do I contact if I am interested or have questions about getting involved in your program?  

If you are interested in participating in the Nonprofit Building Performance Program, please complete our online inquiry form and we will contact you with additional information.

Has the Energy Alliance has already worked with a non-profit organization? What were the results?

The Energy Alliance has provided assistance to several nonprofit organizations to help them improve the energy performance of their buildings. For instance, our work with the Mount Washington United Methodist Church included an Energy Alliance approved contractor replacing 125 inefficient light fixtures, replacing an inefficient boiler with a 96% ultra-high efficient boiler, and replacing outdated air conditioning equipment with a high efficient model.  These Energy Efficiency improvements are projected to reduce their annual electricity usage for lighting by 35%, annual natural gas usage for heating by 25% and annual electricity usage for cooling use by 25%.