The economic recession and the ensuing federal stimulus package have prompted an onslaught of money-saving devices to take off in a new way: "smart" technology is invading homes and public works projects in the hopes of making our use of fossil fuels more efficient. Of course, the major manufacturers in the custom integration channel have their specific solutions as well.
Smart-grid technology monitors energy use and helps steer consumption to times of day when other people aren't using much electricity—a time when it is cheaper to power appliances and more juice is available.
The federal government invested billions in a smart grid in 2009 that connects homes and apartments with power plants. And while most homes didn't have smart meters in 2009, that leaves room for plenty of expansion this year and in the foreseeable future. Think of the possibilities for the electronic systems contractor.
At CustomRetailer we are ramping that up a notch with the start of a monthly column in March that is dedicated to helping our readers make more profit through energy management and sustainability.
Lee Odess (one of CustomRetailer's Young Turks in the January 2010 issue) will kick off this column. Odess is the president and owner of energy + light + control, based in the Washington D.C. metro market. The company provides customers with design, selection, installation and implementation of natural and electric lighting control, solar power, wind power, energy-consumption monitoring, and audio-video design for residential, commercial and government applications. Odess's first column will be on The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, as this green-building rating system is commonly referred to. LEED was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction.
Individuals who have passed the organization's accreditation exam are recognized for their knowledge of the LEED rating system with the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) acronym for use after their name.
Odess will also cover such issues as light control, solar power, wind power, consumption monitoring, audio video design and much more, of course, focusing on how the electronic systems contractor can make more profit when working in each specific area. You can contact Odess at www.energylightcontrol.com.
