Businesses looking to reduce their energy costs will now be able to call on specialists trained in New Zealand’s first-ever comprehensive Energy Management accreditation programme.
The EnergyMasters accreditation has been launched by the Energy Management Association of New Zealand (EMANZ) to ensure businesses know who to engage when undergoing energy performance audits and technically challenging projects, and that they can have confidence in the advice they receive.
Businesses use around 49% of New Zealand’s total energy, and there are significant opportunities for them to use less energy while producing the same output.
Research shows that more than $2 billion could be saved by New Zealand businesses every year if energy use was reduced to optimum levels.
The accreditation programme will see professionals undergoing an independent competency review and training designed to ensure they are competent to carry out all energy performance work.
EMANZ executive officer Ewan Gebbie says New Zealand could save the equivalent of Nelson’s annual energy use by 2015 in commercial buildings alone, and significantly more than that in the industrial sector.
“We just need to get the right people doing the right things. Professionals with the EnergyMasters accreditation can reduce businesses’ energy bills and save businesses money.
“The accreditation will give businesses confidence that any work is of the highest professional standard. They know the work can be trusted because an EnergyMaster has had their work independently reviewed by their peers.”
Those with the accreditation are also committed to ongoing training and professional development, and are subject to a strict code of ethics, Mr Gebbie says.
“Businesses are telling us they want people who know their stuff. EnergyMasters range from energy auditors and specialists for commercial buildings to industrial process heat and compressed air systems experts.”
