360 Energy Group

Late last month, the Indiana Energy Independence Fund announced it would begin its lending program for energy efficiency projects across Indiana. This initiative is a partnership with the National Energy Improvement Fund, a multi-state energy financing benefit corporation. Alex Crowley, Executive Director of the Indiana Energy Independence Fund feels that this could “make the state a “healthier, more efficient place to live and work” while saving residents money. Projects eligible for funding include LED lighting and electrical work, solar panels, geothermal energy, and high-efficiency HVAC, water-saving measures, building envelope projects and retro-commissioning, and more. If you’re a business or commercial property owner looking to understand which energy efficiency measures are right for you, reach out to us at [email protected] for efficiency design assistance.

Last week, the Illinois EPA (IEPA) secured nearly $15 million in federal funding for energy efficiency projects in disadvantaged communities. The grant is sourced from The Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund, and will be administered by The IEPA’s Office of Energy and the Illinois Finance Authority’s Climate Bank. The grant is intended to stimulate energy efficiency projects in low income communities that may have stalled due to lack of funds, as well as to propel Illinois’ broader climate and sustainability goals. Consumers and governments all over the world are taking energy efficiency and sustainability seriously. If you’re a commercial building owner, utility, or state agency that wants to reduce your carbon footprint and make the most of your energy resources, contact 360 Energy Group at [email protected]. 

On Tuesday, April 30th, the White House officially adopted more rigorous energy efficiency standards for residential appliances. According to Department of Energy figures, these measures will save Americans almost $1 trillion over 30 years, netting the average family savings of around $100 a year or more. One of the most consequential of these standards requires all commercially available water heaters to utilize heat pump technology by 2029. Heat pumps move thermal energy from one place to another instead of burning fuel to generate heat. They have most often been used to heat air in buildings, but the technology has recently gained widespread use in heating water as well. Heat pump water heater adoption doubled between 2016-2020. If you’re a business owner interested in heat pumps for your commercial property and want to understand which energy efficiency measures are right for you, reach out to us at [email protected] for efficiency design assistance.

A new report from the World Economic Forum and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), backed by 120 CEO's of global firms, has presented a wide selection of energy efficiency measures that are “doable today, at attractive returns with no need for new technology”. The report asserts that these near-term measures could save up to $2 trillion a year worldwide while slashing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. These actions involve insulation, electrification, AI-based optimization of factory production, “industrial clustering” (when a group of related companies in a defined geographical area support each other, potentially sharing clean energy), and more. "It is crucial we address energy demand alongside supply, reducing the energy intensity of current activity and increasing the energy efficiency of future growth," said PwC Global Chair Bob Moritz. If you’re a commercial property owner and want to better understand which energy efficiency measures are right for you, reach out to us at [email protected] for efficiency design assistance.

Reuters: The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report last Wednesday calling on countries to double the adoption of energy efficiency measures if global climate targets are to be met. "The world’s climate ambitions hinge on our ability to make the global energy system much more efficient," said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. "If governments want to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius goal within reach while supporting energy security, doubling energy efficiency progress this decade is critical”. In 2022, energy use was about 2% more efficient globally than it was in 2021. However, in 2023, that yearly improvement dropped to 1.3%. Energy efficiency needs to improve at a rate of 4% a year for climate targets to be met, the IEA said. If you’re a property owner interested in minimizing energy waste and maximizing the utility of your existing energy resources, 360 Energy Group has the services and relevant experience to fit your needs. Email us at [email protected] to learn more.