The most common approach to improving energy efficiency is to concentrate on one-time solutions, such as upgrading to a more efficient lighting or heating system. This type of limited methodology puts the focus on short-term savings at the expense of whole-building performance improvement. An organization-wide, strategic, energy-management program that sets goals and objectives and uses tracking and reporting can optimize long-term savings through continuous improvement. Careful planning, team work and follow through are necessary to develop a successful energy-management program. While every organization is different, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has outlined a seven-step process for continuous improvement:

• Make a commitment. Successful energy management requires a commitment to allocate funding and resources for continuous improvement.
• Assess performance. Gather energy-use data and benchmark your facility against similar organizations.
• Set goals. Performance goals guide energy-management activities and serve as the basis for developing strategies, as well as measuring and tracking progress.
• Create an action plan. With performance data and goals in place, develop a systematic process to implement energy-saving measures.
• Implementation. Ensure that resources are available to carry out measures specified in the action plan and achieve goals and objectives.
• Evaluate progress. Examine your energy use and compare your performance to stated goals.
• Recognition. Recognizing achievements is a proven strategy for maintaining program success.

For more information and details about each of these steps, contact Campbell, Inc..