Future of Energy Conference Convened by U.S. Energy

By Jeffrey Steele, Contributing Writer

Fresh Meadows, N.Y.—Pelham Bay Diner in the Bronx was the site of a unique energy conference in early June. Convened by Fresh Meadows, N.Y.-based U.S. Energy Group, a building energy management solutions company, the Future of Efficiency Conference was staged to allow property management industry leaders to discuss energy issues of concern to building owners.

Those participating were Jerry Pindus, Ethan Segal and David Unger of U.S. Energy Group; Jac Zadrima of Genesis Realty Group, William Stanley of Cornell Pace, Inc. and Tom Webler of PWB Management.

“What spurred the meeting was U.S. Energy Group’s desire to know what the industry is thinking,” Jerry Pindus, president of U.S. Energy Group, tells MHN.

“We wanted to know if we are providing the products and services the industry wants, if they are satisfied with what we are doing and if there is anything else we could do for them to improve the energy management of their buildings.

“They were delighted to sit down and brainstorm with us. It was a good networking opportunity for them as well. They knew of each other, but had never met, and what bound them all together was our U.S. Energy Group products.”

The conference helped delineate four unique types of property managers, based on their approach to energy efficiency.

The first group, “Innovators,” is on the cutting edge in implementing systems to help manage and control energy usage. They have installed computerized, indoor temperature monitoring and control systems, and actively monitor system information to proactively anticipate concerns.

“Innovators are the guys who are more technical,” Pindus says. “They’re looking at wind and solar energy, for instance. They’re anticipating a payback in five years, but our energy management systems [EMS] give payback in one to two years.”

The second group, “Acquisition-Focused,” prioritizes the market aspects of properties, but are at least not yet engaged in hands-on oversight and control of energy costs. “Acquisition guys take over buildings, and in a few years sell them,” Pindus says. “And what we can do for them with the EMS is give them a bigger bottom line, so they can make their properties more attractive for sale. The fact they’re technologically aware and doing all they can to conserve energy also looks good on their sales sheets.”

A third group, “ROI-Focused,” is comprised of owners who want to maximize ROI and asset value, and realize proactive energy monitoring and control can trim operating costs. “They are not necessarily looking to sell immediately,” Pindus says. “And that’s important given, again, that our EMS can provide a one- to two-year payback.”

The last group, “Compliance-Only,” is made up of owners who implement only those energy-efficiency measures required by legal mandate.

“There’s a new law in New York City that stipulates buildings over 50,000 square feet must record their energy usage,” Pindus says. “Our equipment records that information, so it’s very helpful in complying with this law. The equipment records the information, and our company actually fills out the forms and does the benchmarking for the owners.”

The meeting on June 6 was the first of many, he adds. “Our equipment affects owners, supervisors and tenants, and we plan to meet with all the groups on a regular basis to learn their needs, their problems and try to provide a solution to satisfy these various groups. U.S. Energy is going on an initiative to educate the public, and make them part of what we’re doing.”