How to become An Energy Conservation Specialist

• Energy Auditor
• Energy Technician
• Energy Efficiency Auditor
• Weatherisation Installer & Technician

What do Energy Conservation Specialists do?

An Energy Conservation Specialist would typically need to:

• Develop, coordinate, implement, and monitor strategies and policies to reduce energy consumption through enhanced energy efficiency in public, private, and commercial buildings, using various methods, including practical solutions and education
• Encourage the use of renewable and sustainable energy resources within an organisation or community and raise the profile of energy conservation
• Carry out detailed energy audits and carbon reduction studies; produce feasibility studies and present a range of short-term and medium-term options
• Inspect newly installed energy-efficient equipment to ensure that it was correctly installed and is performing according to specifications
• Collect historical energy usage by analysing energy bills, taking into account the rates of utilities; pinpoint patterns of building use to demonstrate monthly energy needs, such as lighting, heating, and cooling
• Visit local businesses, landlords, homeowners, and tenants as appropriate; analyse a problem in energy use and effectiveness; state the results in calculated energy and operational costs, losses, or savings; provide a basis for essential decisions on using and conserving energy
• Measure energy usage with devices such as data loggers, universal data recorders, light meters, sling psychrometers, psychrometric charts, flue gas analysers, amp probes, watt meters, voltmeters, thermometers, or utility meters
• Perform tests such as blower-door tests to locate air leaks
• Identify and measure the amount of energy used to heat, cool, and operate a building or industrial process; determine the amount of energy lost through wasteful processes or lack of insulation
• Present financial and energy modelling and economic analysis for different scenarios; suggest energy conservation techniques and provide practical advice; install any needed corrective measures; offer training on the efficiency of energy use
• Produce specifications, estimates, drawings, feasibility studies, tender documents, and work schedules; analyse data and collate information; write plans and reports
• Create policies and systems for buying energy; help with contract negotiations; liaise and negotiate with contractors, the building supplies industry, council services, voluntary or community groups, and other relevant organisations
• Develop promotional activities and materials to publicise particular schemes; promote energy conservation awareness via presentations, workshops, and conservation projects; encourage energy conservation schemes, such as energy efficiency housing grants
• Carry out site inspections and energy surveys; regularly collect energy monitoring data and maintain accurate records
• Identify any health or safety issues related to planned weatherisation projects
• Identify and roll out best practice guidelines for energy planning and energy policy; benchmark energy consumption against them
• Educate customers on energy efficiency or answer questions on topics such as the costs of running household appliances or the selection of energy-efficient appliances
• Attend regional meetings and events; keep up to date with changes in legislation and initiatives

Since countrywide opportunities are available and the role involves office and fieldwork, the settings tend to differ, as does the environment.

Indoor work is typically carried out in laboratories or engineering departments and may focus on research & development, design, or product planning.

Factor in travel as a significant part of your work as you may need to visit customer locations or work in your employer’s plant. Sometimes, outdoor locations may be in remote areas.

A regular workweek, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the norm. Occasional overtime work on evenings and weekends to attend conferences and promotional events may need to be factored in. Fieldwork may also demand irregular hours, sometimes, to monitor operations or manage a significant environmental threat.

Flexi-time arrangements are sometimes available. Part-time or consultancy-based work are also options. If you take a career break, make sure to stay current with evolving legislation and initiatives.

Any organisation that is a large user of energy is likely to have someone responsible for energy saving, although it may be part of another job. Energy Conservation Specialists often find work within the housing or environmental health departments of local authorities or with companies that sell and service equipment.

Energy Conservation Specialists are generally employed by:

• Energy Agencies & Partnerships
• Energy Audit Firms
• Local & Municipal Governments
• Health Trusts
• Higher Education Institutions
• Military
• Large Charities
• Government Agencies
• Voluntary & Community Organizations
• Research Laboratories
• Industrial Facilities
• Power Plants
• Construction Companies
• Environmental Consultancies
• Consulting Engineering Firms
• Manufacturers
• Nuclear Energy Companies
• Retail Chains & Supermarkets
• Heating & Cooling Equipment Manufacturers
• Ventilating Equipment Manufacturers
• Private Builders
• Hotels
• Architects
• Utility Companies

Energy Conservation Specialists are not represented by unions. Still, they can obtain valuable resources and professional support from local, national, or international organisations such as the AEE (Association of Energy Engineers).

Members may derive various benefits from the AEE, including industry-recognized certification programs, conferences & trade shows, professional and networking opportunities, and subscriptions to leading-edge technical publications.

• Chances of isolation if not working with a team
• The need to meet targets and produce complex reports to meet strict deadlines
• The need to sometimes work in confined spaces; the need to walk and stand for long periods
• The need to analyse and interpret technical data and communicate it to non-technical individuals
• The need to diversify the sources of energy savings and ensure that savings rise substantially
• Making it a routine process to measure and ensure the persistence of energy efficiency savings
• Integrating energy efficiency outcomes with a carbon reduction framework
• The need for continuous technological innovation and enhanced market strategies; the need to exercise astute judgment in policy implementation

Energy Conservation Specialists usually begin work as trainees in entry-level positions supervised by a more experienced professional. As they gain experience, they take on more responsibilities and carry out assignments under general supervision.

Internships, volunteering, and part-time jobs with firms that provide energy-efficiency services also provide invaluable work experience. Some courses offer a sandwich placement that can be particularly relevant.

It helps engage in any administration or management work that equips you with the necessary skills or part-time work experience in a company’s energy management department.

While a degree is not essential, what you surely need is a firm grasp of electrical and mechanical systems and knowledge of the energy use of organisations. Specialising in and focusing on energy engineering, sustainable energy, and climate change will stand you in good stead.

You could also opt for several other valuable areas of study, such as architecture, building technology & construction, surveying, business studies, administration, any branch of engineering, or environmental science & management.

Again, while a postgraduate qualification is not mandatory, it can lead you to senior positions, but if you take this route, try to factor in a work placement. You can also choose from diverse specialist courses in energy management.

Classes in algebra, geometry, physics, chemistry, machine shop, and ecology in secondary school or other courses incorporating laboratory work will help you enter a postsecondary program. It is never too late to equip yourself with computer science skills, drafting (mechanical or architectural), and public speaking.

To tackle technical fieldwork, an associate degree in environmental engineering technology or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences, such as biology or chemistry, is recommended. Courses in mathematics, chemistry, hazardous-waste management, and environmental assessment, among others, are generally a part of the program.

Look for such programs in vocational-technical schools and community colleges, the latter including more theory-based and liberal arts coursework than the former. ABET or the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. is an accrediting authority for engineering and engineering technology programs at the associate level and above in several countries.

Typically, there are no requirements for certification or licensing of Energy Conservation Specialists. However, specialised certification may equip you to work as a heating and cooling industry expert.

Positions that involve fieldwork may stipulate training in working with hazardous materials as per relevant occupational safety and health standards.

In addition to helping you stand out in a competitive job market and allowing you to become an independent consultant, successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

The field of energy conservation offers you diverse paths for career progression, depending on your employer and the sector you work in. That said, keep in mind that with the career being relatively new, clearcut advancement patterns may take time to emerge.

Specialising in corporate and strategic matters, energy consultancy, environmental engineering, environmental protection, or facilities management will enable you to advance to higher roles and work as Onsite Supervisors.

As a member or fellow of certain institutes, you can acquire the credentials or titles, such as that of a Chartered Energy Manager, offered by them on fulfilling specific criteria. You could also enhance your career prospects by training to become an Assessor.

Candidates who equip themselves with a degree or diploma in energy engineering, environmental health, environmental sciences/management, surveying, or other engineering branches will be better poised to take advantage of the rising demand for Energy Conservation Specialists.

Once you are on the job, it is essential to keep up to date with legislation, compliance, and reporting requirements through training and continuing professional development (CPD). It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated.

CPD enables Energy Conservation Specialists to identify any knowledge gaps and progress to a new specialism. Confirm whether any special seminars or classes you wish to enrol in are sponsored or paid for by your employer.

While working, you can also study part-time to earn a postgraduate qualification, such as a master’s degree in energy management. There are many CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field.

You may take specific training courses which relate to the environmental performance of buildings. You may choose to further your IT skills in specialist software targeted towards monitoring energy efficiency.

Health and safety training is always a handy supplement to your portfolio. Initiating and managing projects and supervising others are also ways to diversify your professional skills.

The current need to discover and promote new energy sources, develop more efficient methods and equipment to use energy, and reduce energy wastage has created a demand for Energy Conservation Specialists.

Energy Conservation & Energy Efficiency

Energy conservation and energy efficiency are significant concerns in nearly all homes and workplaces. While not identical, they have a similar goal, which is to reduce energy use.

Energy conservation requires people to reduce activities that consume energy through gestures such as turning off lights or driving less, or using appliances less frequently.

Energy efficiency implies more intelligent energy use or harnessing technology to help avoid or reduce energy waste. In other words, you can use your appliances, turn on your lights, or drive your vehicle but use less energy doing so.

Scope of Work

Energy Conservation Specialists use various methods to ensure that the right resources are utilised in the appropriate amounts. They may inspect homes, businesses, or industrial buildings to identify conditions that cause energy waste, recommend ways to reduce the waste, and help install corrective measures.

Working in teams under engineers, they determine building specifications, modify equipment and structures, audit energy use and the efficiency of machines and systems, then recommend modifications or changes to save energy.

Other energy activity areas include research & development (R & R&D), energy production, and demand-side management (DSM).

Research & Development (R&D)

R&D work in laboratories involves testing mechanical, electrical, chemical, pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal, or optical scientific principles. It entails working with engineers, physicists, chemists, or metallurgists and using specialised equipment and materials to perform laboratory experiments.

Computers record and analyse data. Technical responsibilities include periodic maintenance and repair of equipment. R&D specialists are typically required by institutions, private industry, government, and the military.

Energy Production

This activity area requires collaborating with engineers and managers to develop, install, operate, maintain, and repair systems and devices used to convert fuels or other resources into useful energy.

Plants engaged in these processes may produce hot water, steam, mechanical motion, or electrical power through furnaces, electrical power plants, and solar heating systems. These systems may be controlled manually by semi-automated control panels or by computers.

Typical employers who employ energy conservation specialists include solar energy equipment manufacturers, installers & users, power plants, and process plants that use high-temperature heat, steam, or water.

Energy Use

Using energy to enhance industrial engineering and production line equipment efficiency is another area of energy activity. Fieldwork requires you to maintain equipment and buildings for hospitals, schools, and multifamily housing.

Demand-Side Management (DSM)

If employed by a utility company, you might work as part of a DSM program, which helps customers reduce their electric bills. You would visit customers' homes and interview them about household energy use, such as the type of heating system, the number of people home during the day, the furnace temperature setting, and initial heating costs.

Then you would sketch the house, measure its perimeter, windows, and doors, and record dimensions on the sketch. You would inspect attics, crawl spaces, and basements and note any loose-fitting windows, uninsulated pipes, and inadequate insulation. Reading hot-water tank labels would help you find the heat-loss rating and determine the need for a tank insulation blanket. Examining air furnace filters and heat exchangers could help detect dirt or soot buildup that might affect furnace operations.

Once you pinpoint a problem, you must know or have ideas about how to correct it. After discussing issues with the customer, you would recommend repairs, literature on conservation improvements, and sources of loans.

Approximately 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are off. Keep them unplugged when not in use.

In places where you and I see merely the use of energy, Energy Conservation Specialists likely recognise its overuse or misuse. Equipped with knowledge, skills, and experience, they study the situation, then suggest and implement rectification measures. After all, energy conservation lays the foundation on which to build the edifice of energy independence.

And I’m asking you for your good and for your nation’s security to take no unnecessary trips, to use carpools or public transportation whenever you can, to park your car one extra day per week, to obey the speed limit, and to set your thermostats to save fuel. Every act of energy conservation like this is more than just common sense - I tell you, it is an act of patriotism.