Performance contracting is a rapidly growing field that offers professionals a wide range of opportunities. According to the Building Performance Institute (BPI), the performance contracting industry is projected to grow by 10% over the next five years. This growth is being driven by the increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What is Performance Contracting?
Performance contracting is a type of energy efficiency contract in which a contractor guarantees to achieve specific energy savings over a period of time. The contractor is paid based on the actual energy savings achieved, rather than on the cost of the project.
This type of contracting is often used for large-scale energy efficiency upgrades, such as installing new HVAC systems or improving the building envelope. Performance contracting can also be used for smaller projects, such as lighting upgrades or weatherization.
Benefits of Performance Contracting
Performance contracting offers a number of benefits to building owners and managers, including:
- Reduced energy costs
- Improved building comfort
- Increased property value
- Reduced environmental impact
Careers in Performance Contracting
There are a variety of career opportunities available in the performance contracting industry. These careers include:
- Energy auditors
- Project managers
- Engineers
- Installers
- Sales representatives
Education and Training
Most performance contractors have a background in engineering, construction, or energy management. However, there are also a number of training programs available for those who want to enter the field.
The BPI offers a number of training programs for performance contractors, including the BPI Building Analyst Professional (BAP) program and the BPI Energy Auditor (EA) program. These programs provide training on the technical aspects of performance contracting, as well as on the business skills needed to succeed in the field.
Salaries and Job Outlook
The salaries of performance contractors vary depending on their experience and level of expertise. However, the median salary for performance contractors is $65,000 per year.
The job outlook for performance contractors is very good. The demand for energy-efficient buildings is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, which will lead to increased demand for qualified performance contractors.
How to Succeed in a Performance Contracting Career
There are a few things that you can do to succeed in a performance contracting career:
- Get the right education and training.
- Gain experience in the field.
- Develop a strong network of contacts.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends.
- Be passionate about energy efficiency.
Conclusion
Performance contracting is a rewarding and challenging career path. By following the tips in this article, you can increase your chances of success in this field.
Top 10 Performance Contractors Careers
- Energy Auditor
- Project Manager
- Engineer
- Installer
- Sales Representative
- Marketing Manager
- Business Development Manager
- Technical Writer
- Customer Service Representative
- Sustainability Manager
4 Strategies for Success in Performance Contracting
- Develop a strong understanding of the technical aspects of performance contracting. This includes understanding the different types of energy efficiency measures, how to calculate energy savings, and how to verify the performance of energy efficiency projects.
- Gain experience in the field. The best way to learn about performance contracting is to get hands-on experience. This can be done by working on energy efficiency projects, volunteering with a performance contracting organization, or taking training courses.
- Build a strong network of contacts. The performance contracting industry is a small world. It is important to build relationships with other professionals in the field, including energy auditors, project managers, engineers, and contractors.
- Stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends. The performance contracting industry is constantly evolving. It is important to stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends in order to be successful in the field.
Why Performance Contracting Matters
Performance contracting matters because it can help building owners and managers reduce their energy costs, improve their building comfort, increase their property value, and reduce their environmental impact.
Benefits of Performance Contracting
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Reduced energy costs | Performance contracting can help building owners and managers save money on their energy bills by implementing energy efficiency measures. |
| Improved building comfort | Performance contracting can help building owners and managers improve the comfort of their buildings by making them more energy-efficient. |
| Increased property value | Energy-efficient buildings are more valuable than non-energy-efficient buildings. Performance contracting can help building owners and managers increase the value of their properties. |
| Reduced environmental impact | Performance contracting can help building owners and managers reduce their environmental impact by reducing their energy consumption. |
How Performance Contracting Works
Performance contracting is a type of energy efficiency contract in which a contractor guarantees to achieve specific energy savings over a period of time. The contractor is paid based on the actual energy savings achieved, rather than on the cost of the project.
Steps in a Performance Contract
- Energy audit. The first step in a performance contract is to conduct an energy audit. This audit will identify the energy efficiency measures that can be implemented in the building.
- Project proposal. The contractor will then develop a project proposal that outlines the energy efficiency measures that will be implemented, the expected energy savings, and the cost of the project.
- Contract. If the building owner agrees to the project proposal, a contract will be signed between the building owner and the contractor.
- Implementation. The contractor will then implement the energy efficiency measures outlined in the contract.
- Verification. The contractor will then verify the energy savings achieved by the energy efficiency measures.
- Payment. The building owner will then pay the contractor based on the actual energy savings achieved.