How to Pick a Winner in Energy Optimization
October 6, 2015
When it comes to selecting energy optimization products or services, the many criteria to consider include the particular benefits or uniqueness of a product or service, and validation that the product or service will work. Here's a closer look at these issues.
What new or unique benefit does this product/service offer to me? When choosing between products, it's important to understand what might make each of them unique. Does the product or service represent a significant advance in the field? Facility managers can find out who the direct competitors of a product or service might be, and understand what the differentiators in the offerings are. Keep in mind, the differentiator might not be the hardware itself, but the service provided around the hardware.
How can I validate that this product/service will work? A major benefit of third-party certifications is that they help to validate the claims the manufacturer or service provider is making, so facility managers can be a little more confident in their decision. Reputable third-party certifications give the product or service credibility.
Reputable is a key term here. There are many third-party certifiers out there. It is up to facility managers to consider which they may or may not consider as reputable. Third-party validation can come in many forms: certifications from industry-related organizations, collaboration with one of the national energy labs, or awards from industry associations and journals, to name a few. In addition to validating claims, third-party certifications can be used as a tiebreaker between otherwise comparable products.
The same can be said for understanding how the service provider or manufacturer measures its own internal sustainability performance. Going after certification through
ISO (International Organization for Standardization), for example, is no small thing and it speaks to how confident a manufacturer or service provider is in its own processes. Making sure the supply chain aligns with the goals of the company is becoming a more common consideration for facility managers, making it important to seek proof through aspects such as the manufacturing facility being
LEED certified, for example.
To learn more about how to make the right choice when selecting energy optimization products and services,
go here.
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