It's All About Energy Washington DC

For many firms, the idea of working smarter is often credited as the key to their success — even more so than working harder. As well it should be.

While working harder implies a greater amount of energy being expended to accomplish certain goals; it may very well be the energy conserved by your firm that should be the barometer for your company's success in the future.

With this in mind, Electrical Contracting Products has taken notice that electrical industry professionals — meaning contractors, manufacturers and distributors — are taking steps to create and utilize "power-saving" products and installations. And as such, we have learned quite a bit about the initiatives taken throughout the industry at large.

Most notably, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (now officially known as Public Law 109-58) mandates that all distribution transformers manufactured after Jan. 1, 2007, be energy efficient. According to Thomas Patzner, staff marketing specialist, LV Transformer Business for Square D/Schneider Electric, this means that "as of the turn of the year, electrical equipment manufacturers will have begun offering redesigned LV transformers exclusively to meet the mandate."

As Patzner points out, the EPAct of 2005 is now increasing energy efficiency in virtually all walks of life, including electrical equipment — a prospect that contractors should note.

While initial increased energy efficiency and lower costs of operation are the key selling points to this mandate, there may be significant price increases on initial cost of units, a point that consumers would surely appreciate knowing at the beginning of a project.

ECP also decided to take a look at another aspect of the EPAct of 2005, as it will effectively alter daylight savings so that it begins on the second Sunday in March and ends the first Sunday in November (see exclusive online story at www.ecpzone.com). As a result, it will be critical for contractors to anticipate potential problems in system installations and products, and educate themselves accordingly. From an electrical contracting industry standpoint, this mandate may reduce the amount of time contractors spend making product replacements, updating firmware or having equipment pulled.

In some cases, manufacturers are already taking steps toward energy-reducing compliance, as codes such as California's Title 24 (which requires the use of more energy-efficient light fixtures), as well as rising utility costs, have led many to replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), such as the GU24 socket, which is able to accept replaceable ballasts from different manufacturers.

So, with these types of energy efficiency mandates taking effect, today would be a great time to start expending more energy learning about this legislation and how electrical industry professionals might address these issues together.

And ideally, the energy expended by your firm in learning about these laws will help ensure that your company, and the power-saving initiatives being enacted throughout the industry, become as successful — and effective — as possible.

See you next month.

T: 631-845-2700 Ext. 356

E: john.filippelli@cygnuspub.com