How do we get started?

We suggest you view the green certification checklist to know what's involved before you start to get a feel for the level of effort required to become a certified Green Business. The application is designed to provide each business with the flexibility to pursue a wide variety of measures. The checklist can be saved, so you don't have to complete it all at once, and it can be shared with others in your organization to assist you as you add them as users.

When is an Energy Audit required?

Every year, nearly half (48.7%) of all energy produced in the U.S. is consumed by the Building Sector. Dayton Regional Green wants to help your business understand how you're using energy by allowing you to grade your energy usage.
If you achieve a minimum of a B grade, then you're good to proceed with your certification. If however; you achieve a bad grade, you will be required to have an ASHRAE level 1 energy audit for your facility. View here for energy audit assistance exclusively offered to DRG Green Certified Businesses. In addition to this, as a Green Certified Business you will have access to DP&L Enhanced Rebates, 150% of standard value.

What is an Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a comprehensive assessment of a building's energy use throughout its operations. The purpose of the audit is identifying the most cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy usage through equipment upgrades, equipment repairs, and/or occupant behavioral implementations. Energy audits are the best way to receive information regarding how fast, easy, cost-effective upgrades can reduce your overall energy costs.

Who can I contact to receive an Energy Audit?

Energy audits are performed by engineers, engineering firms, and energy service providers. Information about our Green Certified Energy Service Providers can be found in our Green Certified Businesses Directory. You're always welcome to contact us as well for recommendations!

What is the Energy Auditing Process?

Step 1: Submit all utility bills for the past one to two years to the energy auditor:
The process includes an evaluation of the buildings electrical, natural gas, and water consumption based on utility bills for the past one to two years.

Step 2: The facility walk-through:
A trained auditor will conduct a walk-through of the facility, noting both easy implementations that will result in a quick investment payback and implementations maybe require a longer payback period (for example, replacing older, low efficiency furnaces with a new high efficiency furnace). During the course of the walk-through the facility's lighting levels and lighting equipment will be inspected, along with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system(s), windows, and infrastructure composition.

Step 3: Recommendations for improving energy efficiency:
After proper analysis, a written report will be generated detailing the current conditions of all energy systems, the current total energy usage for electricity, natural gas, and water, and the auditor's recommendations on what improvements to make, their initial costs, and their potential payback periods.

What are the advantages of having an Energy Audit?

• Provide realization of the building's utility costs and structural condition
• Identify and priorize potential capital improvement projects
• Provide a financial analysis for each potential capital investment project

Are there exemptions for the Energy Audit Requirement?

Yes, exempted from the energy audit requirement:

• LEED certified facilities
• ENERGY STAR certified facilities
• An energy audit has been conducted in the past 5 years
• Home offices

What is the cost of certification and how long is it valid?

The first time application, which is valid for two years, is FREE. After which there is a $50 fee for recertification every two years.

Do we get credit for enviromental actions for multiple locations?

Yes! You can take credit for existing practices as well as practices you commit to implementing.

What types of businesses are eligible for certification?

Office/retail/government businesses/manufacturing, many others are eligible for certification. Places such as non-profit organizations, houses of worship, schools, hospitals, and even home offices can become certified. Basically anything that operates as a business is eligible for certification!

Can a business submit an application for multiple locations?

Certification is by individual building. Entities with more than one location (e.g. different branches of a bank or buildings within a campus) need to pursue certification for each location. However; the system enables you to copy and edit your first application for convenience.

How long does the Bring Your Green competition take?

Competition runs for 11 months. Opens on October 1st and closes August 30th every year.

Who is eligible to participate in the Bring Your Green Challenge?

Only green certified businesses with valid certification (paid the $50 renewal fee after the 1st complementary couple of years) can take advantage of the reporting tools and the many other benefits of BYG challenge platform.

Do I have to report on all primary areas (Energy, Waster, Water,and Employee Engagement?

Awards are based on points achieved at the end of the one year challenge. You choose how far you want to go!