Prepare
The first step in the Save Energy Now energy assessment process is to learn more about the assessment options and prepare to participate. This page describes how to apply, so that you will get the most benefit out of Save Energy Now. We encourage you to read through the entire Assessment Process section of the Web site to get a good overview of how the Save Energy Now assessment process works. There are some important changes this year that you will want to know about.
If at any time you have questions, you may contact the EERE Information Center for assistance.
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Understand Requirements and Guidelines
As you prepare for a Save Energy Now energy assessment, it is important that you review the requirements for participating. See the Application Form instructions for more information about what is required from you to participate.
Fuel Consumption
The guideline for being selected for a large plant assessment is that your plant must consume a total of at least 0.3 trillion (i.e., 300 billion) British thermal units (Btu) of combined energy per year, or its equivalent. Based on the applications we receive, we may adjust this guideline slightly to meet our goal. If your plant uses less than 0.3 TBtus per year of energy, but you have special circumstances that you believe make a strong case for receiving an assessment (for example, your company has a corporate energy management program), then you may explain that on the application.
For a small to medium-sized plant energy assessment, you must generally meet the guidelines for an Industrial Assessment Center assessment.
Get Buy-In at Your Company
If you are interested in an energy assessment for your industrial plant, you are probably already aware of the results that industrial plants are achieving from participating in Save Energy Now energy assessments. On average, each large plant assessment yields potential savings of $2.5 million. However, to ensure success, you will need to communicate those benefits internally to your team so that the team is ready to participate actively in the process.
The assessment process is designed to not only identify savings opportunities at your plant, but to also train your staff to use the DOE software assessment tools. Therefore, you will need to assign resources from your team to get training on the tools and participate in the assessment. Training is an important component of participating in these assessments. We hope that after you implement energy savings at your plant, the training you received will help you to work with other plants in your company, so that they may also achieve savings.
Gather the Necessary Information
If you meet the guidelines and have team buy-in, you are ready to move ahead and gather the data needed to apply for an assessment.
Get Started Today
Whether you decide to apply for an assessment or not, DOE can help you save energy and money, and reduce emissions, through its many informational and technical resources, including software tools, training, and publications.
In addition, you can obtain considerable information and technical assistance from the EERE Information Center, either online or by calling 1-877-337-3463.
Next Step: Apply