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Our Services
1) Initial meeting with customer
The initial meeting serves two primary objectives. The first is to introduce our company, its services and review applicable utility incentive programs. The second is to determine what constitutes a "good" project for the customer and preliminarily determine whether ESCO can meet the company's requirements. If so, a comprehensive facility-wide audit will be scheduled.
2) Lighting System Audit
A facility-wide lighting system audit may be performed the same day as the initial meeting, or at a later date. One or more ESCO representatives may perform the audit depending on the size and attributes of the facility. Every effort is made to inspect all areas in the facility including closets, storage areas, and restrooms. The following information is recorded for each fixture type found in each area.
o Map location number
o Location description
o Annual hours of light operation
o Fixture quantities
o ESCO retrofit and design recommendations
o Foot-candle readings
o Lamp & Ballast types
o Notes (mounting considerations, etc.)
The data is then entered into ESCO’s proprietary proposal generation system.
3) Project Analysis and Design
Audit data is entered into customized software and then analysis and design are performed. Instead of a "cookie cutter" approach to lighting design that is commonplace in the industry, every ESCO lighting project is carefully designed to strike an appropriate balance between energy savings, light levels, and light quality in each facility area. Many factors must be considered including existing conditions, tasks performed, payback criteria, and specific customer requests. Our projects are designed on a room-by-room, area-by-area basis to achieve the best possible results for the customer. Project design is a team effort, and all proposals are thoroughly reviewed by Sales, Design and Finance.
4) Presentation of Proposal
Our proposal format has evolved over time to address the specific needs and requests of our customers. Customers receive all of the detail necessary to make an informed purchase decision. During the presentation, we methodically walk customers through all of the information contained in the proposal. The presentation is interactive; we encourage customers to ask questions at any time. Our customers regularly praise the clarity and extensive detail found in our proposals.
If a customer demonstrates interest in proceeding with a project, ESCO will prepare and submit rebate applications on the customer’s behalf and perform technical reviews of applications independently and/or in conjunction with utility representatives, as required.
A question that most customers ask at some point during our presentation is "How can we be sure that we will really see the energy savings specified in your proposal?" Lighting is only one component of a customer’s electric bill and is not segregated. Since electricity usage for different components (i.e., production equipment, air conditioners…) often changes in varying degrees from month to month, ESCO cannot guarantee that the exact amount of lighting energy savings specified in our proposal will be seen on the electric bill. Therefore, ESCO offers a comprehensive Energy Savings and Light Level Verification testing procedure to confirm the benefits specified in our proposal.
5) Energy Savings and Light Level Verification
If a customer is prepared to move ahead with a project based on verified energy savings and light levels; test areas and fixtures are identified with the customer’s input and a test agreement is prepared. The test is designed to demonstrate the actual kW savings for a representative number of fixtures while matching or increasing light levels. Tests are performed on the primary fixture types that will provide the greatest savings. ESCO can remove any perceived risk by physically demonstrating kW reduction. If metering is required to verify hours of operation or occupancy, ESCO will install data logger devices to obtain this data. Most lighting tests are in completed in one or two days. Test results are summarized and a report is prepared for the customer. The data is used to revise the before and after kW estimates in our Savings Summary spreadsheet, and the Financial Overview for the project is also revised to reflect any change to the payback.
In addition to verifying energy savings and light levels, the test serves to allow employees at the facility to evaluate light quality and fixture aesthetics.
Our customers appreciate the opportunity to "test drive the car" before making a financial commitment to the full project. To date, the small number of projects that did not materialize following the test was a result of reasons not related to the test results such as lack of financing or shifting priorities.
6) Construction Audit
Following energy savings and light level verification tests, and before a contract is drafted, a second, construction-level lighting audit is performed. During the construction audit, fixture counts and specifications are verified, and we identify any construction-related issues that will impact the cost of the project (if there are changes they are usually minor). The customer is asked for a second time if there are any specific requests for changes to their lighting system. A team of two to four ESCO staff, including at least one project manager, performs the construction audit.
7) Project Installation
Project installation times, particularly in industrial facilities, must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis including criteria such as the customer’s requested timeframe for installation, project size, and complexity.
Upon receipt of a signed contract or purchase order under a master agreement, materials are ordered and shipped from distributors and manufacturers. The project manager assigned to the project schedules a pre-construction meeting with the customer. The facility manager and key facility maintenance staff are asked to attend. The purpose of the meeting is to strategize an appropriate plan for project installation with input from the customer. Our commitment to the customer is a "no surprises" project that complies with the customer’s safety and construction policies.
The pre-construction meeting will include a facility walk-through, at which time the project manager meets with key supervisory staff at the facility. The project manager will provide an overview of the facility-wide project, and then describe what will occur in each area. He will ask the supervisory staff members questions concerning times that each area can be entered, equipment sensitivities, and other matters specific to the project. Logistical concerns such as dumpster location, recycling and hazardous waste disposal are also discussed. As the project begins, the project manager keeps the client fully informed using the Fixture Location Key as a tracking sheet. Project meetings are scheduled to fit the facility’s needs. Using proprietary project management software, changes in the specification such as quantities or ballast voltage are reflected in the inventory requirements list. This allows the project manager to anticipate material needs to complete the project on schedule. ESCO is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits in accordance with applicable code requirements. During construction, retrofitted fixtures and lenses are cleaned.
8) Project Completion
Upon project completion a detailed walk-through of the facility is done with the client. Excess material, dumpsters, ballasts, and containers are removed from the site. Disposal and Recycling is done in accordance with all environmental regulations by properly licensed firms and the customer is provided with all applicable documentation. Post-installation inspections will be scheduled with utility representatives, as appropriate.
9) Warranty and Maintenance
Customers are encouraged to call ESCO if there are any questions or concerns related to the project. A small stock of maintenance material is left at the site. This typically includes one of every main ballast type and at least several of every main lamp type. ESCO also prepares and submits to the customer a "Technical Specifications and Reorder Information for Lighting System Components" guide that includes cut sheets and maintenance information for all components installed and warranty instruction information. Since referrals are our most valuable marketing tool, any significant problem related to the original installation will be remedied by ESCO after the project has been completed. The customer will be instructed to contact ESCO if they experience more than small numbers of premature component failures. In these situations, ESCO will diagnose the problem, and replace and install components as necessary. If there are large numbers of lamp or ballast failures, ESCO will enroll the manufacturer to assist ESCO in remedying the problem in a timely manner. We provide the solution to the customer, and whatever arrangements are made between ESCO and the manufacturer are handled separately and transparent to the customer.
To date, we have found manufacturers to be highly cooperative in assuring a high level of customer satisfaction with their products. ESCO enjoys strong, long-standing relationships with major lighting manufacturers and distributors.
