Video Transcript Figuring out when to buy energy and what to include in your energy RFP can mean the difference between an operating budget bust or surplus for your District. Get your notes ready! Because I’m about to rapid-fire some best practices for running an effective energy RFP for your district. Give yourself plenty of […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Energy-ABC-Feature-IMG.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-02-14 19:49:552020-02-14 19:49:55Run an Effective Energy RFP - Energy ABC's #3
Video Transcript Starting June 1st of 2020, significant changes to the Demand Response program in our region could mean a drastic reduction in your school’s payout. In this week’s Two-Minute Tuesday, we’ll talk about these changes and what they mean for your school district. What is Demand Response? Let’s start with a quick recap of […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/TMT-Feature-IMG-Becky.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-02-11 18:06:562020-02-11 18:06:56TMT: Demand Response Program for Schools
Video Transcript Hey guys! It’s Becky with Nania Energy, back with the second video in our series “Energy ABC’s.” Today we’re going to cover a heavy topic of the different ways to purchase energy. There’s a lot of different options available to you: there’s consortiums, using a broker or consultant, or going direct through a […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Energy-ABC-Feature-IMG.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-02-07 17:03:222020-02-14 17:25:443 Ways to Purchase Energy - Energy ABC's #2
Video Transcript Hi guys! I’m Becky with Nania Energy. When I talk to school business officials about purchasing gas and electric, I’m often given a lot of questions about how the process works, and there’s a lack of clarity and a lot of misunderstanding around it all. So I had this idea to release this […]
By AJ Brockman If you want to switch energy suppliers, there’s one section of your current energy agreement that you need to look at first: the “term” or “delivery period.” The “term” or “delivery period” section contains auto-renewal language, which is a standard part of any energy contract. Usually, this clause states that the contract […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/How-to-Switch-Energy-Suppliers.jpg8101296AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-01-30 17:08:112020-01-30 17:08:11How to Switch Energy Suppliers
Video Transcript Hi! One question I get asked quite a bit is, “What impact would a lighting project have on my facility’s energy rate?” If you’re looking to reduce your electricity usage, a lighting project will help you do that. But another surprise benefit is the impact it’ll have on your electric rate. In this […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TMT-10_-MZ-Feature-Image.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-01-28 18:08:542020-01-28 18:12:28TMT: A Lighting Project + Your Energy Rate
Video Transcript Hi! I’m Calvin. I’m a Certified Energy Manager and a Senior Advisor here at Nania Energy. When it comes to energy, it’s important to have a strategic plan to help you achieve your goals. So in today’s video, we’re going to talk about 3 key factors in building such a plan: Define, Design, […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Feature-Photo-calvin.jpg6001067AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-01-23 21:24:482020-01-23 21:24:48Ask An Advisor: Building an Energy Strategy
Video Transcript For today’s Two-Minute Tuesday, we’re going to talk about Thursday — specifically why Thursday could be a good or a bad day to execute energy contracts. What happens on Thursdays? Every Thursday at 10:30am ET, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases its Natural Gas Inventory Report. You may have heard it called the […]
Video Transcript Hi! My name is Mike, and I’m a Senior Energy Advisor here at Nania Energy. One of the most common questions I get asked by clients is “When is the best time of the year to purchase natural gas?” It’s a great question, because natural gas is a traded commodity — meaning prices go […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TMT-8_-ME.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-01-14 17:58:462020-01-14 17:58:46TMT: Best Time to Purchase Natural Gas
By Michael Zaura January 13, 2020 — The end of a decade and the start of the next is the perfect time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Green (renewable) energy has already made a significant impact on the energy industry, and it’s going to play a huge part going forward. […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Green-Energy-101.jpg12982308AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-01-13 16:29:312020-01-13 16:48:10Green Energy 101: How to Go Green in 2020
By Matt Souvannasing Energy professionals (brokers and advisors) primarily use phone calls to contact current and prospective clients. Knowing what to expect from a call will help you decide whether to take the call and determine if the call is from a reputable energy company. Who is calling you? When an energy professional calls you, […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Phone.jpg8021308AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-01-09 20:21:292020-01-09 20:41:12How to Navigate Energy Phone Calls
Video Transcript Clients are always asking me: “How long should I lock in a rate?” Is it better to lock shorter term or longer term? In this week’s Two-Minute Tuesday, we’ll be discussing factors to take into consideration when choosing a term for your energy contract. Common Energy Contract Term Lengths When it comes to terms for […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TMT-7-_-Calvin-Feature-Image.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2020-01-07 19:01:282020-01-07 19:01:28TMT: Choosing an Energy Contract Term Length
By Michael DeCaluwe On Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted 2-1 to extend PJM’s Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) to any generation assets that receive state subsidies. As a result, energy consumers in PJM’s territory could see a significant rise in their electric rates. That’s a lot of energy industry […]
By Becky Thompson December 19, 2019 BIG changes to the PJM Demand Response program are coming in 2020. If you’re currently participating in or considering enrolling in the PJM demand response program, here’s what you need to know. What is Demand Response? Demand response is a program designed to ensure reliability of the electric grid during […]
December 17, 2019 Video Transcript The topic for today is: How do energy brokers, agents, or consultants get paid? It’s one of the most frequently asked questions that we get. So today, I want to open up a discussion so that you understand better how the process works. There are 2 ways that we get […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TMT-John-how-we-get-paid.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-12-17 21:52:472019-12-18 14:10:09TMT: How are energy brokers paid?
December 16, 2019 Video Transcript Hi! I’m Michael, the Senior Vice President at Nania Energy Advisors. Now you’ve probably heard that upgrading your facility’s lighting to LEDs is one of the easiest ways to reduce your energy costs and to reduce your carbon footprint. And that’s true. But what does it look and feel like to […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Feature-Photo-Michael.jpg6001067AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-12-16 19:40:372019-12-16 19:40:37Ask An Advisor: LED Lighting Upgrade
By Matt Souvannasing December 12, 2019 Does your utility bill have a supplier name listed next to the energy charge? If so, you likely fall into one of 3 scenarios: You knowingly signed a contract with a third-party supplier and chose Utility Consolidated Billing (UCB) as your billing format (or it’s the supplier’s default format). […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Electric-Bill-2.jpg8361254AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-12-12 21:15:062019-12-12 21:15:20FAQ: What is Utility Consolidated Billing?
December 10, 2019 Video Transcript I love buying things on eBay. It’s that thrill of the auction as those last seconds tick down and getting the product that I really wanted at a great price. What if I told you that you can buy your gas and electricity commodity in an auction format as well? But […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TMT-Becky.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-12-10 20:06:162019-12-10 20:06:16Two-Minute Tuesday: Reverse Auction for Energy
By AJ Brockman When you sign a contract with a third-party supplier, your energy bill can come in one of three formats: Single Supplier Bill Utility Consolidated Bill Dual Bill Let’s see what each of these billing formats looks like. Single Supplier Bill The name of this billing type varies by supplier, but the basic […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Energy-Bill-Format-2.jpg8361254AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-11-27 16:30:562019-11-27 16:32:27FAQ: What are my energy bill format choices?
November 26, 2019 Video Transcript So you’ve decided to do an energy efficiency project. Now, how are you going to pay for it? In today’s Two-Minute Tuesday, we’re going to review on-bill financing as a way to pay for your energy efficiency project. What is On-Bill Financing? Under on-bill financing, your energy supplier will pay for […]
By Calvin Cornish, CEM November 25, 2019 – If you’ve seen our recent Risk Management video, you know that a Fixed All-In product isn’t your only purchasing option for your electricity. The chart below shows you the 5 components that make up your electricity supply charges. Anytime you lock less than all these components, you […]
Video Transcript Hi! I’m Mike, and I’m a Senior Energy Advisor here at Nania Energy. Whether you’re new to energy buying or you’ve been buying for quite a while, you’ve probably heard of a “Fully Fixed” or “Fixed All-In” product. In today’s video, we’re going to do a deep dive into what a fixed product […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Feature-IMG_MZ.jpg6001067AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-11-21 16:36:342019-11-26 18:51:15What is a Fixed All-In Product?
Video Transcript Hi! I’m Calvin, and I’m a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) as designated by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). What is a Certified Energy Manager? Well, that’s what we’re talking about in this week’s edition of Two-Minute Tuesday. What is a CEM? The AEE describes a Certified Energy Manager as someone who optimizes […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/TMT_11-18-Thumbnail-CC.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-11-19 20:07:052019-11-19 20:07:32Two-Minute Tuesday: What is a CEM?
November 12, 2019 Get an inside look at our Risk Tolerance Survey! In our first Two-Minute Tuesday video, Senior Energy Advisor Mike Zaura explains each question on our Risk Tolerance Survey using on-screen navigation.
By AJ Brockman When you ask a Nania Energy rep to price your account, they’ll ask you for three things: A copy of your most recent energy bill, Your current contract end date, and To sign a Letter of Exclusivity (LOE) or Letter of Authorization (LOA) In this post, we’ll cover the basics of LOEs […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Document-Signing.jpg8361254AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-10-31 14:52:212019-11-22 15:40:16FAQ: Why Do You Need an LOA or LOE?
Video Transcript Hi! I’m John and I’m the CEO and Founder here at Nania Energy Advisors. And today’s subject is your energy bill, whether it be gas or electric. What we’re going to do is we’re going to break out the 4 components that make up each one of those bills. And we’re going to […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Feature-Photo-vlog-3.jpg6001067AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-10-24 18:31:312019-10-24 18:31:31Ask An Advisor: Energy Bill Components
By Mike Eckenroth, CEM What would you do with $70,000? That’s the amount of overpaid taxes we helped a Baltimore condominium association identify and recover. They not only received a check for $70,000, but they also removed almost $20,000 in annual taxes from their forward budget. When you’re looking for opportunities to save money on […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Dollar-Sign-in-Lightbulb-Orange-Background.jpg7681365AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-10-16 16:39:362019-11-19 17:38:34Tax Exemptions for Energy
By Calvin Cornish, CEM It’s been almost 2 years since I wrote my last EV charging station article. And a lot has changed since then. In 2017, there were 199,829 EVs sold in the US. That number nearly doubled in 2018 to 361,307. And as of August 2019, there have been 200,194 sold. JP Morgan […]
By AJ Brockman In 2018, there were 63,626 reported cases of utility fraud in the US. Can you imagine what that number would be if everyone reported every single energy scam they experienced? Unfortunately, energy scammers typically target residential users. But even though you’re a commercial or industrial energy consumer, you’re not immune to scam […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Scamming-Picture.jpg8371254AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-09-23 13:08:092019-11-19 17:42:40FAQ: How Can I Spot an Energy Scam?
Video Transcription Hi! I’m Mike, and I’m a Senior Energy Advisor here at Nania Energy Advisors. One question we get asked all the time is: “How do I go about choosing the right energy product?” In today’s video, we’re going to discuss one of the first factors to consider when choosing an energy product. […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Feature-Photo-vlog-2.jpg6001067AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-09-20 15:45:402019-10-21 15:58:14Ask An Advisor: What Is Your Risk Tolerance?
By Michael DeCaluwe Occasionally I will get asked about what is a better energy solution — fixing energy or selecting an index product. Answering that question involves both understanding what an index product is and knowing your specific energy needs and risk tolerance. What is an index product? On an index product, your energy rate […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Blog-2-feature-image.jpg6001200AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-08-26 15:11:302019-08-26 15:11:30Pros & Cons of an Index Product
By AJ Brockman Some C&I energy purchasers are wary of working with energy brokers because they’ve been burned in the past. Prospects have expressed these fears about working with a broker: “Brokers favor some suppliers over others and don’t give you ‘true’ numbers.” “They don’t give you a true apples-to-apples comparison.” “Brokers aren’t transparent about […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/iStock-629788622.jpg8361254AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-08-22 15:55:262019-08-22 15:55:26FAQ: Are Energy Brokers Crooks?
By Michael Zaura Do you know why you’re awesome? If you’re reading this, you probably manage the energy for more than one facility. And that’s not the easiest job, so the fact that you’re making it work makes you awesome. As a multi-facility energy manager, you have some opportunities available to you that single-facility managers […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Multi-Facility-Small.jpg483724AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-08-20 13:02:092019-08-20 13:03:003 Advantages for Multi-Facility Energy Managers
By AJ Brockman In the video above, we shared with you the three main differences between an energy broker and an energy advisor. Regardless of who you choose to work with, your advisor or broker should perform specific functions to ensure you’re getting the information and assistance you’re looking for. Below are 5 questions you […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Feature-Photo-vlog-1.jpg6001067AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-08-08 18:22:582019-09-20 16:12:42Energy Broker vs. Energy Advisor
By Michael Zaura One question I’ve been asked over the past few weeks is: “What future energy trends are you seeing, and how will they impact my business?” As an energy advisor, I don’t take this question lightly. Keeping up with energy news and understanding how emerging technology will affect the energy market is important […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Futuristic-Interior-Large.jpg13222266AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-07-22 20:12:042019-07-23 15:51:06The (Not-So-Distant) Future of Energy
By Mike Eckenroth On May 22, 2019, Maryland Governor Hogan allowed Senate Bill 516 — Clean Energy Jobs Act to become law. This new law increases Tier 1 Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) compliance to 50% by 2030. In other words: it mandates that 50% of Maryland’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2030, which is […]
By John Nania Each year at Nania Energy Advisors, hundreds of Illinois businesses contact us about their electricity and natural gas needs. Because so many trust our advice, they often ask: “Who are the best ABCs (Agents, Brokers, and Consultants) in the business around here?” Below is a list of companies that have solid reputations […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Handshake.jpg6311663AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-06-27 16:31:192019-09-12 18:17:55The Best Energy ABCs in Illinois
By Becky Thompson As an energy decision maker, you likely get multiple calls a day from brokers and suppliers promising big savings on your energy bills. But before you jump into an energy supply contract, you should have a firm understanding of what you’re signing up for and your options for buying electricity. Let’s take […]
By Michael DeCaluwe About 1 week ago, California regulators finalized procedures to further open California’s electric grid to consumer choice. California originally opened its electricity market in the 1990s and was on the path to full deregulation. However, the 2001 energy crisis in the state forced them to put a hold on electric choice. Companies […]
By Mike Eckenroth When you look at natural gas bids, it can be a struggle to accurately compare pricing between suppliers. There’s no standard offering for natural gas pricing. Which can lead to a lot of questions. The 5 most common natural gas questions we’re asked are: What’s the difference between Citygate and Burner Tip? […]
By Sarah Rousseau When it comes to buying energy, decision makers usually go by two rules of thumb: Wait to buy until rates are at their absolute lowest, and Only buy in the “off-months” (winter for power, summer for gas). These strategies may have worked in the past, but they aren’t conducive for today’s evolved […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Clock-and-Calendar-Medium.jpg8361254AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-05-02 14:08:252019-06-06 21:14:32The Secret to Timing Your Energy Purchase
By Calvin Cornish There are a lot of factors that go into managing an association’s energy: Keeping track of when contracts expire Obtaining bids from multiple suppliers Timing your energy purchase correctly to see the most savings Presenting the pricing during more than one board meeting (because they rarely decide on the first day) Now […]
By Mike Eckenroth 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of energy deregulation in the United States. Natural gas suppliers were able to sell natural gas directly to consumers with the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989, and power producers could do the same with the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Since the inception of energy […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Pen-Calculator-and-Contract-Small.jpg483724AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2019-02-25 16:38:222019-07-23 16:02:223 Benefits of Energy Deregulation
By John Nania Our mission at Nania Energy Advisors is to make energy easy so you can be successful. As CEO, it’s important to me that our business offerings solve our clients’ problems and give them a competitive edge. In 2018, prospects and clients approached us with 3 major concerns regarding their energy strategies: Transparency […]
By Becky Thompson The Digital Age has caused major overhauls in many business sectors, and the energy industry is no exception. New technology available makes managing your energy easier than ever. Let’s say you want to lock in a specific rate. You can receive automated emails letting you know when the market has reached that […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Computer-and-Calculator-Medium.jpg8361254AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2018-12-03 14:14:532019-07-23 16:03:47Be Tech Savvy with your Energy Purchasing
By Michael DeCaluwe When I’m working with a client who’s new to energy efficiency, the first question they ask is: What’s the ROI of this project? To help clients decide which project to pursue first, we’ve created an easy guide that outlines the payback period for each type of energy efficiency project. Projects can be […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ROI-Planning.jpg23704201AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2018-10-25 17:21:372019-07-23 16:04:22An Easy Guide to Efficiency ROI
By Michael Zaura What do beer, iPhones, and Wrangler jeans have in common? They’re all made by companies who have pledged to have 100% of their electricity supplied by green energy by 2025. And it’s not just companies adopting green energy policies – cities such as Chicago and San Francisco have also pledged to be […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/renewable-energy-sources.jpg7221453AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2018-09-11 19:47:412019-07-23 16:05:02How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
By Mike Eckenroth Imagine you’re the Vice President of Operations for a national property management company. You have 10 property managers reporting to you, each managing 3-5 properties. As the company acquires buildings, energy decisions are left to the individual property managers. You receive their energy usage and spend reports annually, but you don’t have […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/energy-reporting-small.jpg443788AJ Brockmanhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngAJ Brockman2018-08-02 16:40:472019-07-23 16:05:50How To Make a Strong Energy Portfolio
By Calvin Cornish Uncovering Energy Efficiency Opportunities Energy efficiency is a hot topic in energy discussions, especially with the current incentives and rebates offered by electric and natural gas utilities. Because energy is a top 3 spend for many facilities and about 30% of energy in commercial buildings goes to waste, it’s not surprising that […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Electrical-Componenets-Medium.jpg8361254Kate Mitchellhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngKate Mitchell2018-07-03 17:06:062019-06-06 21:26:40Energy Audits and the Road to Energy Efficiency
By Becky Thompson June 11, 2018 – Energy aggregation can mean big savings for Illinois residents. Residential electricity aggregation first emerged in Illinois in 2012-2013 when over 750 communities passed referendums to allow cities to buy electricity for residents. But several years later, deflated utility prices led many communities to return to utility supply. Fast […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/iStock-481628862.jpg14142121devhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngdev2018-06-11 06:15:022019-06-06 21:27:29Doing the Work For You with Municipal Electric Aggregation
By Michael DeCaluwe May 14, 2018 – Solar energy initiatives have been in the news a lot lately – from requirements to install solar on new homes in California to community solar projects in the Midwest. Illinois is poised to become a leader in new solar power. There are excellent new economic incentives to install […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/iStock-865286802.jpg34787340devhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngdev2018-05-14 06:00:402019-06-06 21:46:195 Things You’ll Need to Take Your Illinois Business Solar
By Sarah Rousseau April 23, 2018 – So many options. So many details. So many “what-ifs…”. What does it all mean? There is no disputing that energy procurement is extremely complex. The process takes a lot of time (something that, let’s face it, you don’t always have in great supply). It requires evaluating several factors […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/iStock-669178020.jpg32644896devhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngdev2018-04-23 06:00:032019-06-06 21:30:36Your Easy Guide to Selecting the Right Commercial Energy Product
By Mike Eckenroth March 26, 2018 – Clients tell me all the time: “I get a call every day from one of you brokers. It’s getting to be overwhelming.” I get it – it’s tough trying to figure out who you can take seriously in the energy industry. The marketplace has become flooded with “brokers” […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/EnergySalesperson.jpg38405760devhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngdev2018-03-26 06:00:082019-06-06 21:31:315 Ways to Protect Your Business from Bad Energy Brokers
By Mike Eckenroth February 12, 2018 – What comes to mind when I say “energy efficiency”? There was a time where energy efficiency seemed out of reach for many organizations. Upgrades were too expensive. Technology was too new or too complicated to implement. Results and success stories seemed too good to be true. But in recent years, […]
By Becky Thompson January 29, 2018 – The two questions I get asked the most when speaking to public school administrators about demand response are: What is it? What can it do for my district? In short, demand response is a program that helps ensure reliability for the electricity grid by getting customers to reduce […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/iStock-183712392.jpg24003600devhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngdev2018-01-29 06:00:212019-06-06 21:41:13Demand Response: What It Is & What It Can Do For Your Illinois School District
By Becky Thompson January 15, 2018 – As an Illinois public school administrator, you hold an enormous amount of responsibility for your district. You have a finite budget, and what you spend is public knowledge. With that kind of transparency comes the expectation to spend it responsibly. No pressure, right? Considering that schools in the […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/school-board-meeting.jpg28324256devhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngdev2018-01-15 06:00:142019-06-06 21:42:29Illinois School Districts on Energy: To Group Buy or Not to Group Buy
By Calvin Cornish December 28, 2017 – When it comes to innovation, you can either reject it and try to compete or embrace it and find new ways to grow your business. In my experience, I’ve found that only one of these really ever has any success. While still in the early elite stages of […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/iStock-641244830.jpg38405760devhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngdev2017-12-28 00:00:512020-02-11 15:55:54How Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Add Value to Your Property
By Michael DeCaluwe November 27, 2017 – The energy industry is dynamic. It can be intimidating, especially when you consider that energy costs can account for as much as 15-20% of the annual budget for many manufacturers, property managers and/or municipalities. It takes a true expert – someone who has been around the industry long […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/iStock-636032758.jpg8361254devhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngdev2017-11-27 07:30:332019-06-06 21:44:05Winter Is Coming: Finalizing a Short & Long-Term Natural Gas Strategy
The waves created by New York Mayor de Blasio’s announcement revealing new mandates of NYC’s 14,500 least efficient buildings on September 14, 2017 are still being felt throughout the energy industry. The new rules will force building owners to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions through boiler, heat distribution, water heater, roof, and window upgrades, or […]
Capacity has been a topic of conversation in the energy community for a while now but what exactly is capacity as it relates to your electricity, and how does it affect your business? Imagine you have a garden hose, and when you turn on the water full blast, the total amount of water that can […]
https://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/capacity-chart.jpg480800May Fathallahhttps://naniaenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/logo-300x138.pngMay Fathallah2017-09-15 15:26:052019-06-06 21:45:43The Moving Target of Capacity: What Does It Mean for Your Budget?
Run an Effective Energy RFP – Energy ABC’s #3
Video Transcript Figuring out when to buy energy and what to include in your energy RFP can mean the difference between an operating budget bust or surplus for your District. Get your notes ready! Because I’m about to rapid-fire some best practices for running an effective energy RFP for your district. Give yourself plenty of […]
TMT: Demand Response Program for Schools
Video Transcript Starting June 1st of 2020, significant changes to the Demand Response program in our region could mean a drastic reduction in your school’s payout. In this week’s Two-Minute Tuesday, we’ll talk about these changes and what they mean for your school district. What is Demand Response? Let’s start with a quick recap of […]
3 Ways to Purchase Energy – Energy ABC’s #2
Video Transcript Hey guys! It’s Becky with Nania Energy, back with the second video in our series “Energy ABC’s.” Today we’re going to cover a heavy topic of the different ways to purchase energy. There’s a lot of different options available to you: there’s consortiums, using a broker or consultant, or going direct through a […]
Energy Buying for Schools – Energy ABC’s #1
Video Transcript Hi guys! I’m Becky with Nania Energy. When I talk to school business officials about purchasing gas and electric, I’m often given a lot of questions about how the process works, and there’s a lack of clarity and a lot of misunderstanding around it all. So I had this idea to release this […]
How to Switch Energy Suppliers
By AJ Brockman If you want to switch energy suppliers, there’s one section of your current energy agreement that you need to look at first: the “term” or “delivery period.” The “term” or “delivery period” section contains auto-renewal language, which is a standard part of any energy contract. Usually, this clause states that the contract […]
TMT: A Lighting Project + Your Energy Rate
Video Transcript Hi! One question I get asked quite a bit is, “What impact would a lighting project have on my facility’s energy rate?” If you’re looking to reduce your electricity usage, a lighting project will help you do that. But another surprise benefit is the impact it’ll have on your electric rate. In this […]
Ask An Advisor: Building an Energy Strategy
Video Transcript Hi! I’m Calvin. I’m a Certified Energy Manager and a Senior Advisor here at Nania Energy. When it comes to energy, it’s important to have a strategic plan to help you achieve your goals. So in today’s video, we’re going to talk about 3 key factors in building such a plan: Define, Design, […]
TMT: Thursday’s Natural Gas Storage Report
Video Transcript For today’s Two-Minute Tuesday, we’re going to talk about Thursday — specifically why Thursday could be a good or a bad day to execute energy contracts. What happens on Thursdays? Every Thursday at 10:30am ET, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) releases its Natural Gas Inventory Report. You may have heard it called the […]
TMT: Best Time to Purchase Natural Gas
Video Transcript Hi! My name is Mike, and I’m a Senior Energy Advisor here at Nania Energy. One of the most common questions I get asked by clients is “When is the best time of the year to purchase natural gas?” It’s a great question, because natural gas is a traded commodity — meaning prices go […]
Green Energy 101: How to Go Green in 2020
By Michael Zaura January 13, 2020 — The end of a decade and the start of the next is the perfect time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Green (renewable) energy has already made a significant impact on the energy industry, and it’s going to play a huge part going forward. […]
How to Navigate Energy Phone Calls
By Matt Souvannasing Energy professionals (brokers and advisors) primarily use phone calls to contact current and prospective clients. Knowing what to expect from a call will help you decide whether to take the call and determine if the call is from a reputable energy company. Who is calling you? When an energy professional calls you, […]
TMT: Choosing an Energy Contract Term Length
Video Transcript Clients are always asking me: “How long should I lock in a rate?” Is it better to lock shorter term or longer term? In this week’s Two-Minute Tuesday, we’ll be discussing factors to take into consideration when choosing a term for your energy contract. Common Energy Contract Term Lengths When it comes to terms for […]
PJM Capacity Market Ruling
By Michael DeCaluwe On Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted 2-1 to extend PJM’s Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) to any generation assets that receive state subsidies. As a result, energy consumers in PJM’s territory could see a significant rise in their electric rates. That’s a lot of energy industry […]
2020 PJM Demand Response Changes
By Becky Thompson December 19, 2019 BIG changes to the PJM Demand Response program are coming in 2020. If you’re currently participating in or considering enrolling in the PJM demand response program, here’s what you need to know. What is Demand Response? Demand response is a program designed to ensure reliability of the electric grid during […]
TMT: How are energy brokers paid?
December 17, 2019 Video Transcript The topic for today is: How do energy brokers, agents, or consultants get paid? It’s one of the most frequently asked questions that we get. So today, I want to open up a discussion so that you understand better how the process works. There are 2 ways that we get […]
Ask An Advisor: LED Lighting Upgrade
December 16, 2019 Video Transcript Hi! I’m Michael, the Senior Vice President at Nania Energy Advisors. Now you’ve probably heard that upgrading your facility’s lighting to LEDs is one of the easiest ways to reduce your energy costs and to reduce your carbon footprint. And that’s true. But what does it look and feel like to […]
FAQ: What is Utility Consolidated Billing?
By Matt Souvannasing December 12, 2019 Does your utility bill have a supplier name listed next to the energy charge? If so, you likely fall into one of 3 scenarios: You knowingly signed a contract with a third-party supplier and chose Utility Consolidated Billing (UCB) as your billing format (or it’s the supplier’s default format). […]
Two-Minute Tuesday: Reverse Auction for Energy
December 10, 2019 Video Transcript I love buying things on eBay. It’s that thrill of the auction as those last seconds tick down and getting the product that I really wanted at a great price. What if I told you that you can buy your gas and electricity commodity in an auction format as well? But […]
FAQ: What are my energy bill format choices?
By AJ Brockman When you sign a contract with a third-party supplier, your energy bill can come in one of three formats: Single Supplier Bill Utility Consolidated Bill Dual Bill Let’s see what each of these billing formats looks like. Single Supplier Bill The name of this billing type varies by supplier, but the basic […]
Two-Minute Tuesday: On-Bill Financing
November 26, 2019 Video Transcript So you’ve decided to do an energy efficiency project. Now, how are you going to pay for it? In today’s Two-Minute Tuesday, we’re going to review on-bill financing as a way to pay for your energy efficiency project. What is On-Bill Financing? Under on-bill financing, your energy supplier will pay for […]
Pros & Cons of a Partial Fixed Product
By Calvin Cornish, CEM November 25, 2019 – If you’ve seen our recent Risk Management video, you know that a Fixed All-In product isn’t your only purchasing option for your electricity. The chart below shows you the 5 components that make up your electricity supply charges. Anytime you lock less than all these components, you […]
What is a Fixed All-In Product?
Video Transcript Hi! I’m Mike, and I’m a Senior Energy Advisor here at Nania Energy. Whether you’re new to energy buying or you’ve been buying for quite a while, you’ve probably heard of a “Fully Fixed” or “Fixed All-In” product. In today’s video, we’re going to do a deep dive into what a fixed product […]
Two-Minute Tuesday: What is a CEM?
Video Transcript Hi! I’m Calvin, and I’m a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) as designated by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). What is a Certified Energy Manager? Well, that’s what we’re talking about in this week’s edition of Two-Minute Tuesday. What is a CEM? The AEE describes a Certified Energy Manager as someone who optimizes […]
Two-Minute Tuesday: Risk Management
November 12, 2019 Get an inside look at our Risk Tolerance Survey! In our first Two-Minute Tuesday video, Senior Energy Advisor Mike Zaura explains each question on our Risk Tolerance Survey using on-screen navigation.
FAQ: Why Do You Need an LOA or LOE?
By AJ Brockman When you ask a Nania Energy rep to price your account, they’ll ask you for three things: A copy of your most recent energy bill, Your current contract end date, and To sign a Letter of Exclusivity (LOE) or Letter of Authorization (LOA) In this post, we’ll cover the basics of LOEs […]
Ask An Advisor: Energy Bill Components
Video Transcript Hi! I’m John and I’m the CEO and Founder here at Nania Energy Advisors. And today’s subject is your energy bill, whether it be gas or electric. What we’re going to do is we’re going to break out the 4 components that make up each one of those bills. And we’re going to […]
Tax Exemptions for Energy
By Mike Eckenroth, CEM What would you do with $70,000? That’s the amount of overpaid taxes we helped a Baltimore condominium association identify and recover. They not only received a check for $70,000, but they also removed almost $20,000 in annual taxes from their forward budget. When you’re looking for opportunities to save money on […]
EV Charging Stations Made Affordable
By Calvin Cornish, CEM It’s been almost 2 years since I wrote my last EV charging station article. And a lot has changed since then. In 2017, there were 199,829 EVs sold in the US. That number nearly doubled in 2018 to 361,307. And as of August 2019, there have been 200,194 sold. JP Morgan […]
FAQ: How Can I Spot an Energy Scam?
By AJ Brockman In 2018, there were 63,626 reported cases of utility fraud in the US. Can you imagine what that number would be if everyone reported every single energy scam they experienced? Unfortunately, energy scammers typically target residential users. But even though you’re a commercial or industrial energy consumer, you’re not immune to scam […]
Ask An Advisor: What Is Your Risk Tolerance?
Video Transcription Hi! I’m Mike, and I’m a Senior Energy Advisor here at Nania Energy Advisors. One question we get asked all the time is: “How do I go about choosing the right energy product?” In today’s video, we’re going to discuss one of the first factors to consider when choosing an energy product. […]
Pros & Cons of an Index Product
By Michael DeCaluwe Occasionally I will get asked about what is a better energy solution — fixing energy or selecting an index product. Answering that question involves both understanding what an index product is and knowing your specific energy needs and risk tolerance. What is an index product? On an index product, your energy rate […]
FAQ: Are Energy Brokers Crooks?
By AJ Brockman Some C&I energy purchasers are wary of working with energy brokers because they’ve been burned in the past. Prospects have expressed these fears about working with a broker: “Brokers favor some suppliers over others and don’t give you ‘true’ numbers.” “They don’t give you a true apples-to-apples comparison.” “Brokers aren’t transparent about […]
3 Advantages for Multi-Facility Energy Managers
By Michael Zaura Do you know why you’re awesome? If you’re reading this, you probably manage the energy for more than one facility. And that’s not the easiest job, so the fact that you’re making it work makes you awesome. As a multi-facility energy manager, you have some opportunities available to you that single-facility managers […]
Energy Broker vs. Energy Advisor
By AJ Brockman In the video above, we shared with you the three main differences between an energy broker and an energy advisor. Regardless of who you choose to work with, your advisor or broker should perform specific functions to ensure you’re getting the information and assistance you’re looking for. Below are 5 questions you […]
The (Not-So-Distant) Future of Energy
By Michael Zaura One question I’ve been asked over the past few weeks is: “What future energy trends are you seeing, and how will they impact my business?” As an energy advisor, I don’t take this question lightly. Keeping up with energy news and understanding how emerging technology will affect the energy market is important […]
New Maryland Renewables Law
By Mike Eckenroth On May 22, 2019, Maryland Governor Hogan allowed Senate Bill 516 — Clean Energy Jobs Act to become law. This new law increases Tier 1 Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) compliance to 50% by 2030. In other words: it mandates that 50% of Maryland’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2030, which is […]
The Best Energy ABCs in Illinois
By John Nania Each year at Nania Energy Advisors, hundreds of Illinois businesses contact us about their electricity and natural gas needs. Because so many trust our advice, they often ask: “Who are the best ABCs (Agents, Brokers, and Consultants) in the business around here?” Below is a list of companies that have solid reputations […]
The Basics of Buying Electricity
By Becky Thompson As an energy decision maker, you likely get multiple calls a day from brokers and suppliers promising big savings on your energy bills. But before you jump into an energy supply contract, you should have a firm understanding of what you’re signing up for and your options for buying electricity. Let’s take […]
California Direct Access Lottery
By Michael DeCaluwe About 1 week ago, California regulators finalized procedures to further open California’s electric grid to consumer choice. California originally opened its electricity market in the 1990s and was on the path to full deregulation. However, the 2001 energy crisis in the state forced them to put a hold on electric choice. Companies […]
5 Common Natural Gas Questions — Answered
By Mike Eckenroth When you look at natural gas bids, it can be a struggle to accurately compare pricing between suppliers. There’s no standard offering for natural gas pricing. Which can lead to a lot of questions. The 5 most common natural gas questions we’re asked are: What’s the difference between Citygate and Burner Tip? […]
The Secret to Timing Your Energy Purchase
By Sarah Rousseau When it comes to buying energy, decision makers usually go by two rules of thumb: Wait to buy until rates are at their absolute lowest, and Only buy in the “off-months” (winter for power, summer for gas). These strategies may have worked in the past, but they aren’t conducive for today’s evolved […]
Energy and Portfolio Property Management
By Calvin Cornish There are a lot of factors that go into managing an association’s energy: Keeping track of when contracts expire Obtaining bids from multiple suppliers Timing your energy purchase correctly to see the most savings Presenting the pricing during more than one board meeting (because they rarely decide on the first day) Now […]
3 Benefits of Energy Deregulation
By Mike Eckenroth 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of energy deregulation in the United States. Natural gas suppliers were able to sell natural gas directly to consumers with the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989, and power producers could do the same with the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Since the inception of energy […]
Nania Energy’s New Year’s Resolutions
By John Nania Our mission at Nania Energy Advisors is to make energy easy so you can be successful. As CEO, it’s important to me that our business offerings solve our clients’ problems and give them a competitive edge. In 2018, prospects and clients approached us with 3 major concerns regarding their energy strategies: Transparency […]
Be Tech Savvy with your Energy Purchasing
By Becky Thompson The Digital Age has caused major overhauls in many business sectors, and the energy industry is no exception. New technology available makes managing your energy easier than ever. Let’s say you want to lock in a specific rate. You can receive automated emails letting you know when the market has reached that […]
An Easy Guide to Efficiency ROI
By Michael DeCaluwe When I’m working with a client who’s new to energy efficiency, the first question they ask is: What’s the ROI of this project? To help clients decide which project to pursue first, we’ve created an easy guide that outlines the payback period for each type of energy efficiency project. Projects can be […]
How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
By Michael Zaura What do beer, iPhones, and Wrangler jeans have in common? They’re all made by companies who have pledged to have 100% of their electricity supplied by green energy by 2025. And it’s not just companies adopting green energy policies – cities such as Chicago and San Francisco have also pledged to be […]
How To Make a Strong Energy Portfolio
By Mike Eckenroth Imagine you’re the Vice President of Operations for a national property management company. You have 10 property managers reporting to you, each managing 3-5 properties. As the company acquires buildings, energy decisions are left to the individual property managers. You receive their energy usage and spend reports annually, but you don’t have […]
Energy Audits and the Road to Energy Efficiency
By Calvin Cornish Uncovering Energy Efficiency Opportunities Energy efficiency is a hot topic in energy discussions, especially with the current incentives and rebates offered by electric and natural gas utilities. Because energy is a top 3 spend for many facilities and about 30% of energy in commercial buildings goes to waste, it’s not surprising that […]
Doing the Work For You with Municipal Electric Aggregation
By Becky Thompson June 11, 2018 – Energy aggregation can mean big savings for Illinois residents. Residential electricity aggregation first emerged in Illinois in 2012-2013 when over 750 communities passed referendums to allow cities to buy electricity for residents. But several years later, deflated utility prices led many communities to return to utility supply. Fast […]
5 Things You’ll Need to Take Your Illinois Business Solar
By Michael DeCaluwe May 14, 2018 – Solar energy initiatives have been in the news a lot lately – from requirements to install solar on new homes in California to community solar projects in the Midwest. Illinois is poised to become a leader in new solar power. There are excellent new economic incentives to install […]
Your Easy Guide to Selecting the Right Commercial Energy Product
By Sarah Rousseau April 23, 2018 – So many options. So many details. So many “what-ifs…”. What does it all mean? There is no disputing that energy procurement is extremely complex. The process takes a lot of time (something that, let’s face it, you don’t always have in great supply). It requires evaluating several factors […]
5 Ways to Protect Your Business from Bad Energy Brokers
By Mike Eckenroth March 26, 2018 – Clients tell me all the time: “I get a call every day from one of you brokers. It’s getting to be overwhelming.” I get it – it’s tough trying to figure out who you can take seriously in the energy industry. The marketplace has become flooded with “brokers” […]
Your Energy Efficiency Project: 100% Funded with On-Bill Financing
By Mike Eckenroth February 12, 2018 – What comes to mind when I say “energy efficiency”? There was a time where energy efficiency seemed out of reach for many organizations. Upgrades were too expensive. Technology was too new or too complicated to implement. Results and success stories seemed too good to be true. But in recent years, […]
Demand Response: What It Is & What It Can Do For Your Illinois School District
By Becky Thompson January 29, 2018 – The two questions I get asked the most when speaking to public school administrators about demand response are: What is it? What can it do for my district? In short, demand response is a program that helps ensure reliability for the electricity grid by getting customers to reduce […]
Illinois School Districts on Energy: To Group Buy or Not to Group Buy
By Becky Thompson January 15, 2018 – As an Illinois public school administrator, you hold an enormous amount of responsibility for your district. You have a finite budget, and what you spend is public knowledge. With that kind of transparency comes the expectation to spend it responsibly. No pressure, right? Considering that schools in the […]
How Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Add Value to Your Property
By Calvin Cornish December 28, 2017 – When it comes to innovation, you can either reject it and try to compete or embrace it and find new ways to grow your business. In my experience, I’ve found that only one of these really ever has any success. While still in the early elite stages of […]
Winter Is Coming: Finalizing a Short & Long-Term Natural Gas Strategy
By Michael DeCaluwe November 27, 2017 – The energy industry is dynamic. It can be intimidating, especially when you consider that energy costs can account for as much as 15-20% of the annual budget for many manufacturers, property managers and/or municipalities. It takes a true expert – someone who has been around the industry long […]
NYC Benchmarking
The waves created by New York Mayor de Blasio’s announcement revealing new mandates of NYC’s 14,500 least efficient buildings on September 14, 2017 are still being felt throughout the energy industry. The new rules will force building owners to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions through boiler, heat distribution, water heater, roof, and window upgrades, or […]
The Moving Target of Capacity: What Does It Mean for Your Budget?
Capacity has been a topic of conversation in the energy community for a while now but what exactly is capacity as it relates to your electricity, and how does it affect your business? Imagine you have a garden hose, and when you turn on the water full blast, the total amount of water that can […]