Follow These Tips When Looking For The Best SBEM Consultants

Lacey McCray
4 min readMay 18, 2022

The official national calculation technique for commercial properties in the UK is Simulated Building Energy Modelling (SBEM). SBEM calculates a building’s monthly energy consumption and carbon emissions based on its size, orientation, geometry, construction, and systems. This strategy, as the name implies, necessitates the help of an SBEM specialist.

In this post, you’ll find some pointers to assist you in identifying the best one for your company’s needs.

Check for their approach and style

When looking for SBEM consultants, consider what their approach and style will be, as well as whether they will fit in with your company’s way of doing business. Even if an energy consultant is extremely qualified, you won’t get very far if you can’t collaborate.

Do you feel the consultant will spend enough time comprehending the calculations required? Will the consultant provide you with a personalised answer rather than one of his or her company’s standard solutions?

Consider their knowledge

The SBEM assessment consultant’s prior experience working with comparable businesses in your industry may come into play. Talk to potential consultants to learn more about their limitations. Remember the reason you’re hiring an outsider rather than internal staff in the first place.

The contractor shouldn’t be expected to know everything about your firm, but he or she should have the appropriate amount of general technical understanding to assess the problems your company is facing.

Required licenses/certifications

A competent energy consultant will be able to show you that they have the necessary licenses and certifications. The site of the state’s utility commission is a good place to start looking for a list of utility companies, including consultants that meet the state’s criteria.

Upfront about services

A competent SBEM report consultant will conduct an audit, help you get lower rates, and suggest methods for conserving energy. Some consultants, on the other hand, will function as project managers rather than just providing you with a list of good changes without much insight into how to put them into action.

Inquire about what their services entail so you can price and schedule appropriately.

Customised service

Customer support and bespoke service aren’t always simple to evaluate based on initial interactions, but you should get the impression that you’re a priority and that the consultant is eager and ready to help.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation, and the ideal consultant will adapt their methodologies to your company’s specific demands and challenges, concentrating on both short- and long-term results.

Make sure you need one

Examine your present staffing/situation/skillset and make an educated decision. What kind of assistance do you require? A higher-priced consultant may be simply as competent as a less expensive one. Always check with your internal resources first. You might be amazed at the various answers your team can provide!

Find someone focused on your needs

Many energy consultants get enthralled by a certain model or “intervention” and attempt to force issues into preconceived solutions. You want your consultant to create a solution just for you. A good SBEM report coach/consultant should interview you during your first meeting.

They should inquire about your company, your needs, and the results you desire. They should not waste their first meeting regaling you with tales of prior contracts and consumers.

Be prepared to manage the relationship

Feedback and direction are required for energy consultants to do their jobs effectively. Don’t just hire the consultant and sign a contract. Treat your SBEM assessment consultant as a partner by working with them as such.

This will cause your consultant to be more generous with their own experiences, objectivity, and knowledge. Pay the amount that you agreed on when you hired them. Bad money mojo is a deal-breaker in any relationship.

Simulated building energy modelling is an important tool that can help organisations optimise their energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By taking into account a wide range of factors, such as weather conditions, occupancy patterns, and equipment usage, simulated building energy models can help organisations save money on their energy bills and make more informed decisions about where to invest in energy efficiency improvements. Use the things that you have learned here by contacting a reliable SBEM expert like BriaryEnergy to discuss your business requirements.

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