Proven Construction Best Practices for Smarter, Sustainable Project Results 

Proven Construction Best Practices for Smarter, Sustainable Project Results 

Published

29 May 2025

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In today’s built environment, delivering a successful construction project requires more than meeting milestones and staying within budget. It demands strategic leadership, thorough preparation, and a disciplined focus on outcomes. For institutions managing complex infrastructure such as healthcare systems, universities, or advanced manufacturing facilities, the ability to align technical execution with long-term value is essential. 

Jarret Lemmon of Optimum Energy, LLC brings more than four decades of construction and engineering expertise to this challenge. His perspective underscores a fundamental truth: although project types and scales may vary, the drivers of lasting success remain constant. At Optimum Energy, these drivers have been strengthened by combining traditional construction best practices with advanced energy optimization and intelligent technology. This approach results in smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable project delivery. 

The following are the core practices that have consistently proven effective in addressing today’s construction challenges and in creating long-term value across a wide range of projects. 

1. Safety is not just a compliance metric, it is a strategic enabler of cost control, quality, and schedule adherence. At Optimum Energy, we view safety as a core value that ultimately drives efficiency and reduces risk exposure. While many safety-related cost savings are considered soft costs and can be difficult to quantify precisely, our commitment to engineering controls and proactive planning minimizes risk before work begins. 

2. Define Success Upfront: Every project should begin with a clear definition of what success looks like, moving beyond “on time and on budget” to encompass energy performance, operational reliability, and long-term facility outcomes. At Optimum Energy, we develop and implement a robust Project Execution Plan at the outset, supported by a Level III Primavera schedule, a detailed Safety Execution Plan, and a tailored Quality Plan.

3. Equally critical is upfront logistics planning to minimize disruption to occupied or operational facilities. We pre-plan all major activities—such as heavy lifts—with engineered rigging strategies and crane specifications determined and approved well in advance. These measures ensure precision, predictability, and safety throughout execution. 

4. Constructability is a foundational discipline in our approach. In close collaboration with engineers and architects, we proactively review design documents to ensure that construction methods are efficient, practical, and cost-effective. This constructability review identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce field conflicts, and shorten schedules, ultimately saving both time and money. 

5. We embed safety into every phase of the project through a dedicated Safety Execution Plan, structured site protocols, and early coordination with field and engineering teams. These efforts help prevent incidents that could otherwise cause costly delays or rework. While we often see reduced project disruption because of our approach, we recognize that assigning a specific percentage of savings to safety efforts is complex and context dependent. 

6. Lead with Clear Accountability: A successful project relies on teams working in sync. We make it a priority to stay connected with leaders across engineering, procurement, project controls, and field operations to ensure open communication and clear accountability. Our use of Technology-Driven Project Controls means every stakeholder has access to real-time data from the field—enabling faster, more informed decisions and minimizing delays caused by miscommunication. 

7. Focus on Long-Term Performance: Our commitment doesn’t end at substantial completion and commissioning; we remain focused on how the project performs over time. Our Long-Term Performance Guarantees, while uncommon in our industry, reflect our confidence and commitment. We ensure that energy savings and system reliability continue to exceed expectations long after construction is wrapped up. 

8. Embrace Continuous Improvement: Every project offers valuable lessons. At Optimum Energy, we’ve cultivated a Continuous Improvement Culture that includes structured lessons-learned reviews and formal knowledge sharing. This commitment has resulted in a remarkable 15% year-over-year improvement in our execution efficiency. 

9. Leverage Data for Informed Decisions: In today’s construction landscape, data is your most powerful asset. Our software heritage provides us with a distinct advantage—our teams utilize real-time analytics to meticulously monitor progress, strategically allocate resources, and make smarter decisions at every phase of the project. This Data-Driven Decision Making ensures we remain agile, well-informed, and consistently focused on what truly matters: achieving optimal client outcomes. 

10. Design with the End-User in Mind: Our approach seamlessly integrates technical excellence with a deep understanding of user needs. Thanks to our Client-Centric Approach, we focus not just on the build itself but on how our clients will ultimately live and operate within the spaces we create. This perspective allows us to tailor every decision, from material selection to scheduling and commissioning strategies—to deliver lasting value and satisfaction. Plus, thanks to ongoing measurement and verification software, like Optimum’s OptiCx, we’re able to leave our clients with lasting results and the predetermined targeted outcomes highlighted at the beginning of the project. 

At Optimum Energy, we see these practices as the foundation of effective construction management. Every project, no matter the size or complexity, deserves disciplined planning, strong leadership, and a clear focus on long-term performance. When innovation is built into the process from the start and energy outcomes are prioritized throughout, projects reach completion with purpose and deliver lasting value. This is the standard we follow and the approach we believe should guide the entire industry. 

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Employee Spotlight: Kay John, Lead Operations Program Manager

At Optimum Energy, our talented team is the driving force behind everything we achieve. With our Employee Spotlight Program, we shine a light on the passionate, innovative individuals who deliver exceptional results for our clients every day. Discover the inspiring stories and unique talents of the people who make Optimum Energy a leader in our […]

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Optimum Energy supported Penn State Health by implementing chilled water optimization, which enhanced system performance and resulted in more than $300,000 in annual electricity savings.

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Employee Spotlight: Srdjan Jankovic, P.E., Managing Principal Engineer

Employee Spotlight: Srdjan Jankovic, P.E., Managing Principal Engineer

Published

23 April 2025

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At Optimum Energy, one of our greatest strengths is our talented and dedicated team. Through our Employee Spotlight Program, we celebrate the individuals who drive our success and deliver exceptional results for our clients. We invite you to get to know the people behind our work—their insights, diverse talents, and passion are the foundation of our performance, client outcomes, and industry leadership.

This month, we’re sitting down with Srdjan Jankovic P.E., LEED AP BDC, BEMP, a tenured member of the Optimum Energy engineering team. Srdjan has been with the company for nearly 15 years and brings over two decades of mechanical engineering experience to his role as Managing Principal Engineer. Throughout his time here, he’s played a vital role in Engineering, Optimization, and Business Development efforts across every stage of the project lifecycle.

Srdjan provides technical leadership in areas like energy modeling, HVAC system design, retro-commissioning, and central plant optimization. His expertise is particularly impactful in complex projects spanning healthcare, higher education, commercial buildings, and manufacturing facilities. Colleagues and clients know him not just for his deep technical knowledge, but for his commitment to practical solutions and long-term efficiency.

Can you share your journey with Optimum Energy and how your role has evolved since you joined?

“I joined Optimum Energy in March 2012 as a Senior Energy Engineer. With a background in HVAC system design and energy modeling, the role was a natural fit. It allowed me to dive back into familiar territory—HVAC systems—while expanding into new areas like chiller plant optimization, presales support, technical collaboration with our development team, and serving as a subject matter expert and trusted adviser to our customers.”

What is your favorite part about working at Optimum Energy?

“Hands down, it’s the people. I’m surrounded by smart, passionate, and dedicated peers who lead by example and push me to do my best. On a personal note, I appreciate being in a role that aligns with my education and career path—and having the trust and autonomy to grow within it. Optimum doesn’t believe in micromanagement; we focus on impact and expertise, not red tape.”

Describe an accomplishment at Optimum Energy of which you are particularly proud.

“There are quite a few, but what stands out is how consistently we exceed customer expectations. Whether we’re working alongside a local facilities team or supporting clients across four continents, we adapt to the engineering and financial nuances of each project and culture. It’s that ability to deliver top-tier engineering services, no matter the setting, that makes me proud to be part of this team.”

What is one thing you have learned while working here that has significantly impacted your approach to energy optimization?

“Optimization has to be holistic. You can’t just focus on individual components—you have to consider the entire system. For example, when optimizing a chilled water plant, you need to understand not just the plant itself, but how it interacts with air handling units and the spaces those units serve. I’ve also learned that people and processes are just as crucial as the technology. Sustainable, repeatable results depend on all three working in sync.”

How do you see the future of energy optimization, and what role do you believe Optimum Energy will play in shaping it?

“Energy optimization is entering a new phase—one that demands smarter, more adaptive solutions. As organizations juggle operational complexity, cost efficiency, and sustainability, the need for innovative, integrated approaches is only growing.

That’s where Optimum Energy shines. With two decades of experience and a strong foundation in both technology and industry insight, we’re positioned to lead. Our focus on collaboration and continuous improvement will help clients achieve long-term resilience and efficiency. As we grow our presence in the Energy-as-a-Service space, we’re not just keeping up—we’re helping to define what energy optimization looks like for the future.”

Whether you’re looking to join a team that’s redefining energy optimization—or want one of our experts to lead your next project—Optimum Energy is ready to deliver. Connect with us to explore career opportunities or discover how we can help you achieve lasting performance and sustainability results.

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Employee Spotlight: Kay John, Lead Operations Program Manager

At Optimum Energy, our talented team is the driving force behind everything we achieve. With our Employee Spotlight Program, we shine a light on the passionate, innovative individuals who deliver exceptional results for our clients every day. Discover the inspiring stories and unique talents of the people who make Optimum Energy a leader in our […]

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Healthcare Facilities Innovation Conference

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IDEA2025 Conference Highlights

Optimum Energy supported Penn State Health by implementing chilled water optimization, which enhanced system performance and resulted in more than $300,000 in annual electricity savings.

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Emerging Trends in Energy Management: Insights from Lisa Roy, CEO of Optimum Energy

Emerging Trends in Energy Management: Insights from Lisa Roy, CEO of Optimum Energy

Published

29 January 2025

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The energy landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by a confluence of factors including climate change, technological advancements, and shifting consumer preferences. As businesses grapple with the challenges and opportunities presented by this evolving landscape, innovative solutions are emerging to drive sustainability and efficiency. 

Lisa Roy, CEO of Optimum Energy, recently shed light on key trends shaping the future of energy management during the Decarbonization Disruptors podcast. In this blog post, we delve into three critical themes she highlighted: electrification and grid interaction, the rise of machine learning and AI, and the complexities of decarbonization. 

Electrification and Grid Interaction: A New Era of Energy Supply 

Electrification is rapidly reshaping the energy sector, increasing demand for more resilient and adaptable energy systems. On-site energy generation and grid interaction are becoming increasingly important as businesses seek to enhance reliability and sustainability. 

• On-site Generation: By harnessing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, businesses can reduce their reliance on traditional grid power, lower energy costs, and even generate additional revenue by selling excess energy back to the grid. 

• Grid Interaction: As the grid becomes more decentralized, businesses can optimize their energy consumption by drawing power from the grid during off-peak hours and feeding energy back during peak times. 

Machine Learning and AI: Unlocking the Power of Data 

“We are drowning in data but starving for insights.” This statement rings truer than ever in the energy sector, where vast amounts of information are generated every second.  As Lisa Roy, CEO of Optimum Energy, puts it: 

“At Optimum Energy, we believe data is the new currency of energy. It’s the key to understanding how energy is being used, where it’s being wasted, and how we can improve efficiency.  By harnessing the power of data and AI, we can unlock unprecedented levels of optimization and sustainability.” 

Advanced analytics powered by machine learning and AI are essential for turning this data deluge into actionable intelligence. These technologies can help businesses identify inefficiencies, optimize energy consumption, and predict maintenance needs. 

Predictive Maintenance: By analyzing historical data and real-time sensor readings, AI-powered systems can anticipate equipment failures, allowing for proactive maintenance and minimizing downtime. 

Energy Optimization: Machine learning algorithms can optimize energy usage by identifying patterns and anomalies, leading to significant cost savings. 

Decarbonization: A Complex but Necessary Journey 

Decarbonization has become a top priority for many organizations, but the path to a low-carbon future is fraught with challenges. To achieve their decarbonization goals, businesses must adopt a holistic approach that considers the entire energy value chain. 

• Financial Considerations: Decarbonization initiatives often require significant upfront investments. Leveraging financial incentives, energy efficiency programs, and innovative financing models can help mitigate these costs. 

• Lifecycle Assessment: It’s crucial to evaluate the environmental impact of energy sources throughout their entire lifecycle, from extraction and production to end-of-life disposal. 

Optimum Energy: Driving the Future of Energy Management 

At Optimum Energy, Lisa and her team are at the forefront of the energy revolution, providing cutting-edge solutions that help businesses navigate the complexities of the modern energy landscape. By combining advanced technology, deep industry expertise, and a customer-centric approach, Optimum Energy empowers organizations to optimize their energy consumption, reduce costs, and achieve their sustainability goals. 

To learn more about how Optimum Energy can help your business, visit their website or contact their team today. 

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Employee Spotlight: Kay John, Lead Operations Program Manager

At Optimum Energy, our talented team is the driving force behind everything we achieve. With our Employee Spotlight Program, we shine a light on the passionate, innovative individuals who deliver exceptional results for our clients every day. Discover the inspiring stories and unique talents of the people who make Optimum Energy a leader in our […]

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IDEA2025 Conference Highlights

Optimum Energy supported Penn State Health by implementing chilled water optimization, which enhanced system performance and resulted in more than $300,000 in annual electricity savings.

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Holistic Design-Build Optimization Transforms North Pole Operations to Meet Santa’s Unique Needs

Holistic Design-Build Optimization Transforms North Pole Operations to Meet Santa’s Unique Needs

Published

23 December 2024

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Overview

Santa’s Workshop, the global epicenter of holiday joy and gift production, has announced a transformational partnership with Optimum Energy. This initiative focuses on modernizing Santa’s aging infrastructure, ensuring seamless delivery of holiday magic while prioritizing sustainability and efficiency.

The partnership includes optimizing Santa’s Central Utility Plant (CUP), retrofitting workshop HVAC systems, and leveraging patented machine learning technologies for energy savings. Together, these efforts are set to enhance operations across the North Pole and beyond.

About the North Pole Operations: A Magical but Massive Enterprise

The North Pole, the headquarters of Santa’s global gift logistics empire, is a sprawling, bustling facility covering approximately 5 million square feet. Like a small city, this expansive operation is designed to produce, package, and distribute billions of toys annually. However, maintaining such a vast and diverse operation has grown increasingly challenging over the centuries.

Here’s an inside look at the scale and complexity of Santa’s North Pole operations:

• Central Utility Plant (CUP): The heart of the North Pole is responsible for powering and regulating temperatures across all facilities. With outdated equipment, the CUP struggles to provide adequate heating during frigid winters and cooling during peak toy manufacturing, when production machinery generates significant heat.
• Elf Workshops: These are the main toy production facilities, covering 1.5 million square feet, where approximately 5,000 highly skilled elves work around the clock. Each Workshop specializes in toy assembly, painting, packaging, and quality control tasks.
• Reindeer Stables: A 100,000-square-foot complex houses Santa’s reindeer team; these stables require optimal climate control to ensure the health and performance of Rudolph and his teammates. Current infrastructure needs to be improved to meet these needs, leaving some areas underutilized.
• Mrs. Claus’s Cookie and Candy Production Center: A 500,000-square-foot facility overseen by Mrs. Claus herself supplies the elves, reindeer, and supporting staff with essential sustenance, including cookies, hot cocoa, and peppermint treats. Aging ovens and inefficient processes threaten the uninterrupted flow of festive fuel.
• Santa’s Sleigh Hangar and Logistics Hub: A 750,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility (though in need of upgrades) is dedicated to maintaining and housing Santa’s sleighs and managing global gift distribution logistics.
• Administrative Offices and Data Center: A 250,000-square-foot complex where Santa and his team oversee operations, including the analysis and management of the Naughty-and-Nice List. This data center requires significant energy and faces cooling challenges during busy periods.
• Elves’ Dormitories and Communal Areas: These facilities, which span 1 million square feet, provide housing and amenities for the elves. Current heating inefficiencies lead to discomfort during the colder months, impacting morale and productivity.
  Supporting Facilities: This includes storage areas, maintenance workshops, and transport hubs for incoming and outgoing materials, occupying an additional 900,000 square feet.
• Staff and Workforce Elves: Approximately 5,000 full-time elves manage toy production, logistics, and maintenance tasks.
• Reindeer Care Team: A resolute team of one hundred specialists ensures that Santa’s reindeer are in peak condition.
• Candy and Cookie Production Staff: 500 culinary elves work under Mrs. Claus’s guidance to supply daily treats and holiday cheer.
• Administrative Support Staff: Around three hundred team members, including IT, HR, and operations coordinators, keep the North Pole running smoothly.

The Challenges of Holiday Logistics

Santa’s operations are legendary but not without their challenges. The North Pole’s extreme conditions have affected aging boilers, chiller plants, and reindeer stables. Manual processes for tracking toy production and inventory have left little time for strategic planning—or for Santa to enjoy his iconic hobby, perfecting hot chocolate recipes.

“Our systems were older than Rudolph’s first sleigh run,” said Santa Claus, Christmas Executive Officer (CEO). “We required a partner who could deliver cutting-edge solutions and help us keep the magic alive for generations.”

Challenges at Scale

Aging Infrastructure: With millions of square feet to maintain, outdated systems are no longer sufficient to meet the North Pole’s growing needs.

• Energy Demands: The CUP is overwhelmed by the energy needs of such a large operation, particularly during peak production seasons.
• Disconnected Systems: The sheer size of the campus complicates efforts to integrate systems for heating, cooling, and energy optimization.
• Resource Strain: Manual processes across multiple facilities consume significant elf hours, reducing their focus on innovation and production.

Optimizing & Modernizing the North Pole with Optimum Energy

• Workshop Chiller Plant Optimization: Implementing OptimumLOOP® has reduced energy use by 30%, ensuring that toy assembly lines remain operational even during peak workloads.
• Retro-Commissioning of Reindeer Stables: With newly installed OptimumAIR® systems, stable temperatures are now perfectly maintained for optimal reindeer health and performance.
• Machine Learning Technology: Optimum Energy’s cloud-based analytics now monitor workshop energy consumption in real-time, alerting Santa’s elves to maintenance needs before they disrupt operations.

Spreading Holiday Cheer Beyond the Workshop

The modernization efforts have given Santa and his team the bandwidth to explore new ventures. Inspired by his iconic look, Santa is introducing a luxury line of candy cane-infused beard oils for the first time in centuries.

“Thanks to Optimum Energy, I finally have time to innovate!” Santa exclaimed. “The elves are less stressed, the reindeer are happier, and I’m finally focusing on my dream projects, like my snow cone franchise.”

• Financial Predictability and Capital Efficiency: With the EaaS model, the North Pole transitions from unpredictable capital expenditures to a fixed, manageable operational expense. This eliminates the need for costly upfront investments in upgrades or replacements, freeing resources to focus on toy production and festive innovation. Additionally, Optimum Energy’s ability to leverage energy savings and efficiency gains means that modernization efforts effectively pay for themselves over time.
• Optimized Operations and Maintenance (O&M): Optimum Energy is responsible for the ongoing O&M of the North Pole’s vast infrastructure. Their expertise in mechanical and electrical systems ensures that all facilities operate at peak performance with minimal downtime. Predictive maintenance and advanced monitoring reduce the risk of unexpected failures, keeping Santa’s operations running smoothly and enabling elves to focus on what they do best—creating holiday magic.
• Integrated Financial and Operational Synergy: By combining the financial stability of EaaS with the operational expertise of Optimum Energy, the North Pole benefits from the seamless integration of energy optimization, infrastructure upkeep, and cost management. This synergy addresses current challenges and sets the stage for future growth and scalability.

Future-Proofing Festive Magic

Santa’s new energy strategy is not just about this Christmas—it’s about ensuring the magic lasts centuries. The partnership includes:

• Risk Mitigation: Optimum Energy guarantees performance standards with financial penalties for unmet KPIs, ensuring uninterrupted holiday delivery.
• Scalability: The system is designed to grow with Santa’s operations, whether adding new sleigh hangars or expanding toy production to meet increasing demand.
• Predictable Costs: By transferring capital expenses to operational budgets, Santa’s Workshop maintains fiscal responsibility while embracing innovation.

“It’s a Christmas miracle for the modern age,” Santa concluded. “The world counts on us, and now, we’re more ready than ever to deliver joy to every corner of the globe.”

The North Pole Outcomes

• Energy Saved: 7,500,000 kWh/year
• Cost Savings: $900,000/year
• CO₂ Reduction: 3,000 metric tons/year
• Toy Production: 100,000,000 toys/year (10x increase)

These groundbreaking gains not only future-proof Santa’s operations but ensure that every child in the world wakes up to the joy of a thoughtfully crafted gift. The North Pole is now a beacon of sustainability, efficiency, and unmatched holiday cheer!

“Optimum Energy was crucial to our transformation, and we wouldn’t have reached this milestone without them,” stated Santa Claus, CEO of Christmas. From optimizing our energy systems to enabling remote monitoring of the entire facility, they have helped us future-proof the North Pole while ensuring every child wakes up to the magic of Christmas. Now, even when I’m away delivering gifts, I know everything is as it should be at the North Pole!”

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Employee Spotlight: Kay John, Lead Operations Program Manager

At Optimum Energy, our talented team is the driving force behind everything we achieve. With our Employee Spotlight Program, we shine a light on the passionate, innovative individuals who deliver exceptional results for our clients every day. Discover the inspiring stories and unique talents of the people who make Optimum Energy a leader in our […]

Learn More

Event

Healthcare Facilities Innovation Conference

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Insights

IDEA2025 Conference Highlights

Optimum Energy supported Penn State Health by implementing chilled water optimization, which enhanced system performance and resulted in more than $300,000 in annual electricity savings.

Learn More

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Start your optimization journey for all of your HVAC needs

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Decarbonizing the Built Environment: Accelerating Your Path to Net Zero

Decarbonizing the Built Environment: Accelerating Your Path to Net Zero

Published

21 November 2024

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As COP29 highlights the urgency of addressing climate change, organizations must focus on decarbonizing the built environment—a sector responsible for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions. For organizations with net-zero aspirations, this presents a significant challenge—but also an incredible opportunity.

At Optimum Energy, we specialize in solutions that make decarbonization achievable, scalable, and impactful. By leveraging energy efficiency optimization, retro-commissioning, Optimization as a Service (OaaS), and automation, we help organizations reduce their carbon footprint and achieve their net-zero goals.

1. Energy Efficiency Optimization: Precision in Performance

Optimum Energy’s solutions are designed to optimize energy use across your building systems, delivering measurable emissions reductions and cost savings. Our approach focuses on maximizing the efficiency of HVAC systems, which can account for up to 50% of a building’s energy consumption.

• OptimumLOOP® Technology: Our patented software optimizes central plants in real-time, reducing energy consumption by up to 50% while maintaining peak performance.
• Data-driven insights: Through cloud-based analytics, we continuously refine energy strategies, ensuring long-term efficiency and sustainability.
• Holistic approach: With Optimum Energy, you don’t just reduce waste—you unlock the full potential of your building, its data, and its systems. We also optimize lighting, hot water, and other building systems, ensuring comprehensive energy efficiency across the entire facility. By addressing multiple energy demands, we deliver a seamless, integrated solution that amplifies sustainability efforts.

2. Carbon Accounting and Reporting: Meeting Regulatory and Stakeholder Expectations

Accurate carbon measurement and reporting are essential for regulatory compliance and meeting stakeholder expectations. Optimum Energy leverages a data-driven approach to provide clients with precise, actionable insights into their carbon footprint. By integrating real-time data collection and advanced analytics, we help organizations measure, verify, report, and strategize their carbon emissions reductions with confidence, ensuring alignment with global and local sustainability standards.

3. Retro-Commissioning: Maximizing Existing Assets

For organizations with existing, older, or underperforming facilities, retro-commissioning through Optimum Energy ensures your building systems operate as efficiently as possible.

• System recalibration: Our experts analyze and fine-tune equipment to align with current operational needs, improving energy performance without major capital expenditures.
• Integration of new technology: By incorporating advanced controls and optimization software, we modernize legacy systems to meet today’s energy demands using modern tools and technology.
• Guaranteed results: Optimum Energy provides performance guarantees, delivering quantifiable savings in energy use and emissions.

Our retro-commissioning services breathe new life into existing infrastructure, helping clients reduce their carbon footprint while extending the life of their systems.

4. Optimization as a Service (OaaS): Simplifying Your Decarbonization Investment

Optimum Energy’s Optimization as a Service (OaaS) offering makes sustainability investments accessible, scalable, and financially predictable.

• Turnkey solutions: We handle everything from design and implementation to ongoing system optimization, removing complexity for your team.
• No upfront costs: With OaaS, Optimum Energy covers the initial investment, allowing you to focus on operational priorities and use capital off balance sheet, on mission critical needs.
• Performance-based results: Our OaaS model aligns directly with your carbon reduction and energy efficiency goals, ensuring measurable progress toward net zero.

With Optimum Energy, decarbonization becomes not just a possibility but a reality for organizations of any size.

5. Advanced Automation: Smarter Buildings for a Sustainable Future

Automation is at the heart of Optimum Energy’s solutions. By integrating intelligent controls and machine learning algorithms, we enable real-time energy optimization, improving both performance and sustainability.

• Dynamic HVAC optimization: Our solutions automatically adjust system operations based on variables like weather, occupancy, and load conditions.
• Predictive analytics: Sensors and advanced analytics identify inefficiencies before they escalate, reducing maintenance costs and downtime.
• Continuous improvement: Through automated data collection and analysis, our systems evolve to deliver sustained energy savings over time.

With automation powered by Optimum Energy, your building becomes a smarter, more sustainable asset.

6. Occupant Comfort and Productivity: Beyond Energy Savings

Energy efficiency improvements go beyond sustainability—they also enhance occupant comfort and productivity. By ensuring optimal temperature control, lighting, and air quality, our solutions create an environment that fosters well-being and efficiency, delivering tangible value for employees, tenants, and customers alike.

7. Industry-Specific Solutions: Meeting Unique Challenges
Every industry faces unique energy challenges. Optimum Energy tailors its solutions to meet the specific needs of sectors such as healthcare, data centers, and educational institutions. For example:

• Healthcare facilities: We address stringent requirements for indoor air quality and temperature control while reducing energy costs, replacing aging equipment, and allowing you to focus on patient outcomes.
• Data centers: Our optimization ensures reliable cooling systems for critical IT infrastructure, 24/7, with the reliability your users demand.
• Higher Ed: We help schools and universities meet sustainability goals and decrease operational costs, all while creating and maintaining comfortable indoor living and learning environments.

8. Resilience and Adaptation: Building for a Changing Climate

In a world increasingly affected by climate change, building resilience is essential. Optimum Energy enhances resilience by optimizing systems to withstand extreme weather, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, and ensuring reliable operations during power outages. Our solutions prepare buildings to adapt to the challenges of a changing environment, safeguarding both sustainability and operational continuity.

Optimum Energy: Your Partner in Net-Zero Goals

At Optimum Energy, we understand that achieving net-zero goals requires actionable solutions tailored to your building’s unique needs. By focusing on energy efficiency, retro-commissioning, EaaS, and automation, we empower organizations to decarbonize their built environments while maximizing operational efficiency and cost savings.

As COP29 calls for global action, the time to act is now. Let’s work together to create a carbon-neutral future, one building at a time.

Ready to start your decarbonization journey? Contact Optimum Energy today to learn how our solutions can help your organization reach its net-zero goals.

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Insights

Employee Spotlight: Kay John, Lead Operations Program Manager

At Optimum Energy, our talented team is the driving force behind everything we achieve. With our Employee Spotlight Program, we shine a light on the passionate, innovative individuals who deliver exceptional results for our clients every day. Discover the inspiring stories and unique talents of the people who make Optimum Energy a leader in our […]

Learn More

Event

Healthcare Facilities Innovation Conference

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Insights

IDEA2025 Conference Highlights

Optimum Energy supported Penn State Health by implementing chilled water optimization, which enhanced system performance and resulted in more than $300,000 in annual electricity savings.

Learn More

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Employee Spotlight: Eric Toback, VP of Sales & Marketing

Employee Spotlight: Eric Toback, VP of Sales & Marketing

Published

01 October 2024

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At Optimum Energy, one of our greatest assets is our talented and dedicated team. Our Employee Spotlight Program celebrates and showcases the individuals who make our company thrive and deliver exceptional client outcomes. This program offers a behind-the-scenes look at the diverse talents driving Optimum Energy’s success, client outcomes, and industry standards.

Can you share your journey with Optimum Energy and how your role has evolved since you joined?

I joined Optimum Energy in 2012 as an energy engineer designing and supporting the technical aspects of our energy optimization solutions. Energy Engineers at Optimum Energy are very customer-facing, so I learned first-hand the challenges our clients were facing with their critical infrastructure and the importance of developing comprehensive solutions to meet their needs. That experience led me to transition into sales where I felt I could have an even bigger impact for our clients. After a few years, I became Vice President of Sales, managing and leading our sales team.

In 2021, I left Optimum Energy for a career change. However, my journey led me back to Optimum Energy, where I recently returned to my previous role as VP of Sales and Marketing. Today, the firm is backed by the experienced investment team at Bernhard Capital Partners and the leadership and vision of our new CEO, industry veteran Lisa Roy. With Optimum Energy poised to be the industry’s premier energy savings solution provider, I am incredibly excited to be back.

What is your favorite part about working at Optimum Energy?

My favorite aspect of working at Optimum Energy is working day in and day out with a passionate and dedicated group of individuals who are the best in the business at what they do. Whether it’s engineering an optimization roadmap, diagnosing a central plant flow issue, troubleshooting building BAS controls, or developing a complex Energy as a Service financing and operational solution, our team works tirelessly to achieve our client outcomes.

Describe an accomplishment at Optimum Energy of which you are particularly proud.

I’m proud of Optimum Energy’s ability to consistently exceed client expectations time after time, which is driven by our approach to cultivating long-term partnerships with our clients. We take pride in our ability to perform proper due diligence and develop projects that align with client needs. Whether your facility is in LA, Shanghai, or anywhere in between, we’re going to deliver on what we promised.

What is one thing you have learned while working here that has significantly impacted your approach to energy optimization?

My most important takeaway from this experience is that energy optimization must be approached holistically. For example, it’s one thing to improve the efficiency of the HVAC central plant; however, you’re only solving one piece of the puzzle. The building zones determine how hard the central plant must work, so your approach must consider everything from the space requirements back to the central plant since it’s all a connected system. To truly be “optimized,” you must take a holistic approach, being careful not to “rob Peter to pay Paul,” as they say.

Similarly, the solution providers must take a comprehensive approach to delivering client outcomes. It’s not enough to have best-in-class technology without the industry expertise to apply it to complex systems correctly. Similarly, subject matter expertise can only take you so far without the technology, tools, and processes to deliver predictable and repeatable outcomes over time.

How do you see the future of energy optimization, and what role do you believe Optimum Energy will play in shaping it?

I see a future where energy-saving solutions providers, like Optimum Energy, will play an ever-increasing role in their client’s facility operations. Companies are faced with rising complexities and an increasing demand for resilient operations, cost reduction, and sustainability, which are often competing interests with one another. These challenges will require suppliers to innovate their offerings and assume more operational and financial risk from their clients to remove implementation barriers and streamline facilities’ operations and maintenance. Optimum Energy is poised to lead in this new era by building on our 20-year history of combining best-in-class technology with industry-leading experts.

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Employee Spotlight: Kay John, Lead Operations Program Manager

At Optimum Energy, our talented team is the driving force behind everything we achieve. With our Employee Spotlight Program, we shine a light on the passionate, innovative individuals who deliver exceptional results for our clients every day. Discover the inspiring stories and unique talents of the people who make Optimum Energy a leader in our […]

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Event

Healthcare Facilities Innovation Conference

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IDEA2025 Conference Highlights

Optimum Energy supported Penn State Health by implementing chilled water optimization, which enhanced system performance and resulted in more than $300,000 in annual electricity savings.

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Save as much as 50% of your HVAC energy costs

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Optimum Energy’s Retro-Commissioning Services Offer Significant Building-Side Savings

Optimum Energy’s Retro-Commissioning Services Offer Significant Building-Side Savings

Published

15 May 2024

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The operation of mechanical and building automation systems play a crucial role in maintaining comfortable and compliant spaces. Over time building operations can become inefficient due to factors such as aging equipment, outdated controls sequences, and changing operational needs. 

Optimum Energy’s Engineering Solutions group provides the expertise and technical resources to design and implement all Retro-Commissioning and BAS Upgrade services. Optimum has developed a process that comprehensively and systematically optimizes the performance of existing building systems to ensure they operate at peak efficiency.  

Retro-Commissioning focuses on existing buildings and can deliver substantial benefits including energy savings, improved comfort, extended equipment life and reduced maintenance costs.  Typically, our Retro-Commissioning services payback between 12 and 18 months. This makes it an invaluable investment for facility teams, and offers another path to funding projects that otherwise would have been out of budget.   

By conducting a detailed assessment of your facilities, controls sequences, and operational parameters, our Retro-Commissioning experts can identify opportunities for optimization and implement interventions to improve performance and drive savings. 

As your organization seeks to navigate the complexities of sustainable building management, our Retro-Commissioning services offer a proven pathway to improved efficiency, reduced operating costs, and enhanced sustainability. 

We would love to discuss if Retro-Commissioning could be a tool that would benefit you and your team. Please reach out to Alex Lee at alex.lee@optimumenergyco.com to discuss further.   

Optimum Resources

See all resources

Insights

Employee Spotlight: Kay John, Lead Operations Program Manager

At Optimum Energy, our talented team is the driving force behind everything we achieve. With our Employee Spotlight Program, we shine a light on the passionate, innovative individuals who deliver exceptional results for our clients every day. Discover the inspiring stories and unique talents of the people who make Optimum Energy a leader in our […]

Learn More

Event

Healthcare Facilities Innovation Conference

Learn More

Insights

IDEA2025 Conference Highlights

Optimum Energy supported Penn State Health by implementing chilled water optimization, which enhanced system performance and resulted in more than $300,000 in annual electricity savings.

Learn More

See all resources

Start your optimization journey for all of your HVAC needs

Save as much as 50% of your HVAC energy costs

Let’s talk