Frequently Asked Questions
- About Inertia
- Audits
- Community Choice
- Demand Response
- Electricity
- EV Charging
- Green
- Hybrid
- LED Lighting
- Natural Gas
- Solar
Commercial solar can significantly reduce energy costs, improve company sustainability, increase energy independence, and demonstrate environmental responsibility. The savings can be reinvested into the business, and solar installations can increase the value of commercial property.
Savings depend on many factors, including the size of the solar installation, the company’s energy consumption, and local electricity rates. Typically, businesses can expect a significant reduction in their energy bills.
Yes, numerous federal, state, and local incentives are available, such as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows businesses to deduct a portion of their solar costs from their taxes. Other incentives include SRECs that can be sold for cash, and accelerated depreciation.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used directly by the business. Any excess power can often be sent back to the grid in exchange for credits on your energy bill, depending on local net metering policies.
While solar panels only produce electricity when the sun is shining, you can store excess power generated during the day in battery storage systems for use during the night or cloudy days. You can also get credit for excess power produced through net metering.
Solar panels require minimal maintenance, typically only needing occasional cleaning and routine inspection to ensure optimal performance. Most come with warranties that last for 20-25 years.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting is a highly energy-efficient lighting technology that uses semiconductors to convert electricity into light. LEDs are known for their long lifespan, energy efficiency, and wide range of color options.
LEDs use up to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. They convert almost all their energy into light, significantly reducing wasted energy in the form of heat, contributing to their high efficiency.
An LED lighting retrofit involves replacing existing lighting systems with LED fixtures or bulbs. This can significantly reduce energy consumption, lower maintenance costs, and improve light quality.
These are systems that allow you to monitor and control your LED lighting in real time. You can adjust brightness levels, change colors, and monitor energy usage, allowing for better energy management and customization of your lighting environment.
While actual savings can vary based on usage, location, and other factors, projections are generally accurate and provide a good estimate. They are calculated based on energy rates, hours of operation, and the efficiency of the proposed LED solutions compared to existing lighting.
There are typically three types of charging stations: Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Charging. Level 1 uses a 120V AC plug and is slowest. Level 2, commonly found at public charging stations and homes, uses a 240V AC plug. DC Fast Charging provides the quickest charge, suitable for commercial and highway locations.
The charging time varies depending on the battery size, the remaining charge, and the charging station’s power level. Generally, Level 1 takes 8-20 hours for a full charge, Level 2 around 4-6 hours, and DC Fast Charging can charge up to 80% in 20-30 minutes.
Yes, both Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations can be installed at home. Level 1 uses a standard electrical outlet, while Level 2 requires a dedicated 240V circuit.
This is a process where experts assess your specific needs, including location, power availability, type of vehicles being charged, and usage patterns to recommend the most suitable EV charging setup.
Monitoring allows you to track and manage your charging station’s usage, availability, and performance. This helps optimize energy consumption, manage costs, and ensure the station is functioning properly.
Demand Response is a strategy that encourages consumers to reduce or shift their electricity use during peak demand periods, aiding in grid stability, and often providing financial incentives.
By managing energy consumption during peak times, Demand Response programs help optimize the use of power resources, reducing overall energy waste and contributing to efficiency.
These are specific periods when consumers are requested to lower their energy use, typically during times of high electricity demand or grid instability.
Businesses can benefit through cost savings on their energy bills, incentives for participation, and by contributing to a more sustainable and reliable power grid.
Automated Energy Controls are systems that respond automatically to demand response events, reducing or shifting energy use without requiring manual intervention.
Yes, while many participants are businesses, residential customers can also participate, contributing to grid stability and earning incentives.
An energy building audit is a comprehensive assessment of a building’s energy use and efficiency, aimed at identifying areas of wastage and suggesting improvements to conserve energy and reduce costs.
An energy audit is crucial for understanding your building’s energy consumption pattern, detecting inefficiencies, and formulating strategies to enhance energy efficiency, ultimately leading to significant cost savings and a smaller carbon footprint.
Energy building audits are conducted by certified energy auditors or specialists with deep understanding of building systems, energy usage, and energy conservation measures. Inertia Resources has several partners that are certified and competent in this process.
The duration of an energy audit can vary depending on the size of the building and the level of detail in the audit, but typically, it can take from a few hours to a few days.
You’ll need to provide information about your building, including its size, age, use, occupancy hours, and copies of energy bills to help assess your current energy consumption. You will also need to provide the on-site auditors with access to your facility.
Post-audit, you’ll receive a report detailing your building’s energy performance, areas of inefficiency, and recommended energy-saving measures. This provides a roadmap for implementing energy efficiency improvements and monitoring progress.
Municipal aggregation, or CCA, allows local governments to procure power from an alternative supplier on behalf of their residents, businesses, and municipal accounts. This allows them to negotiate better electricity rates and control their community’s energy source.
CCA primarily impacts the source and cost of your electricity. The local utility company continues to deliver the electricity, handle customer service, billing, and maintain the power lines. The only change is the supplier, who is chosen by the local government.
Most CCA programs are structured as an opt-out system, meaning residents are automatically enrolled but have the right to leave the program and choose their own supplier or return to the default utility service.
CCA gives communities the ability to prioritize renewable energy in their energy mix. The local government can choose a supplier offering a high percentage of renewable energy, thus promoting the use of clean power sources.
One goal of CCA programs is to secure lower electricity rates by leveraging the aggregated buying power of the community. However, savings aren’t guaranteed as market rates can fluctuate.
In the event of a power outage, you will still contact your local utility company. They are responsible for power delivery and maintenance, regardless of the electricity supplier.
A block and index electricity product is a hybrid energy purchasing strategy. A portion of your energy, the “block,” is purchased at a fixed price, while the rest is priced at a variable rate that fluctuates with the market, the “index.”
This strategy offers both budget certainty and the potential for cost savings. The fixed-price block provides stability and predictability for a portion of your energy costs, while the index portion allows for potential savings when market prices are low.
While the index portion can provide cost savings, it also exposes your business to price increases when market prices rise. However, by correctly balancing the fixed and indexed portions according to your risk tolerance, these risks can be managed effectively.
Yes, the size of the block and index portions can often be adjusted to align with your business’s energy usage patterns, risk tolerance, and budgetary needs.
In a load-following block and index plan, the block portion is adjusted in response to your actual energy usage. This ensures the fixed-price block consistently aligns with your consumption, minimizing the risk of over or under-purchasing the fixed block.
A 100% renewable electricity plan is a type of energy contract where all the electricity you purchase is guaranteed to come from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power. Despite not requiring solar or wind installations on your property, these plans support the renewable energy sector and help reduce your carbon footprint.
You can purchase a 100% renewable electricity plan from an energy supplier who procures renewable energy on your behalf. These suppliers buy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) equivalent to your energy use, effectively offsetting your consumption with energy produced from renewable sources.
RECs are tradable commodities proving that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource. When you purchase a 100% renewable energy plan, your supplier buys RECs equal to your electricity usage, ensuring the equivalent amount of renewable energy is added to the grid.
The cost of renewable electricity plans can vary by provider and region. While traditionally they have been more expensive due to the higher costs associated with renewable energy production, prices have been decreasing as technology improves and the demand for renewable energy grows. Some suppliers even offer competitive rates compared to traditional energy plans.
No, signing up for a 100% renewable electricity plan does not affect the reliability of your electricity service. Regardless of the source of your electricity, it is delivered through the same grid and maintained by your local utility company. Any power outages or technical issues will be addressed by the utility company just as they would be under a traditional electricity plan.
Natural gas deregulation refers to the process where government regulations are removed or reduced in the natural gas market. This enables consumers to choose their natural gas provider from a range of competitive suppliers instead of being restricted to a monopoly utility provider.
Deregulation allows for competition among gas suppliers, driving them to offer better rates, services, and packages to attract customers. This competition can lead to lower prices, potentially saving your business money on natural gas costs.
Index-based gas rates are variable rates that are tied to a specific market index, such as the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). These rates fluctuate based on the market’s changes. Conversely, fixed gas rates are set at a specific price per unit that remains constant for the duration of your contract, providing price stability and protection against market volatility.
The NYMEX is a commodity futures exchange where natural gas, among other commodities, is traded. The prices established on the NYMEX are used as a benchmark for natural gas prices across the United States. However, local prices can differ due to factors like transportation costs and local demand and supply conditions.
The process involves comparing the rates and plans offered by various suppliers in your area, selecting the one that best suits your business needs, and signing a contract. The new supplier will coordinate with your utility company to ensure a seamless transition.
Many states with deregulated natural gas markets provide online resources to compare suppliers and their offers. Energy consultants or brokers can also assist in comparing rates and plans, helping you find the best deal for your business.
Does switching my natural gas supplier affect the reliability of service or response to emergencies?
No, regardless of your supplier, your local utility company remains responsible for delivering natural gas and addressing any emergencies or service interruptions. The supplier simply sources and sells the gas; the utility company delivers it.
Key factors include price stability, contract length, terms and conditions, service reliability, and customer service. Whether you choose an index-based or fixed-rate plan depends on your business’s risk tolerance and budget stability. Also, remember to consider the reputations of the suppliers you’re considering.
Electricity deregulation involves the removal or reduction of government regulations in the electricity market, allowing consumers to choose their electricity provider from a range of competitive suppliers rather than being assigned a monopoly utility provider.
Most brokers use 100’s of suppliers. With today’s market and volatility, Inertia only wants to deal with the companies that are going to be around, have the best customer service, and have the best rate plans. Scaling down our suppliers to the top 4 in the industry, our suppliers know they are on a platform with less competition, so they get more aggressive on pricing. Our trusted suppliers make up 70% of the market share, so there isn’t anything they can’t handle.
Currently Inertia is the fastest growing utility brokerage firm in America. Since Inertia began in early 2018, we have successfully registered over 4000 clients with over 20,000-meter locations. That’s more than any broker in the country. Not only are we in all deregulated markets, but we have a physical presence everywhere we do business. Our brokers like to build long lasting relationships with their customers, so even in today’s environment, we have a one-on-one client relationship with everyone.
Inertia has proudly registered over 4,000 clients in a very short period of time. We currently have a 97% contract acceptance rate, and our suppliers allow us the flexibility to renew our clients earlier than most brokers. With the market being so volatile, renewing earlier can help save our clients tremendously. We don’t wait until the last minute; we contact you when it’s time to save! If you are about to expire, our premium relationships allow us to receive lower pricing than your conventional brokerage firm.
Inertia allows our clients access to everything they need regarding their energy portfolio. If you are looking for solar, community solar, an energy audit, advice on an upcoming project, or even a rate for your home, we can talk about financing options and ways to handle your needs.
In a deregulated market, electricity providers compete with each other to offer the best rates, services, and packages. This competitive market can lead to lower prices and more options, potentially saving your business money on electricity costs.
The reliability of your electricity service is typically maintained by your local utility company regardless of your energy supplier. So, while you’re choosing from different energy providers for the best rates, the physical delivery of your electricity remains the same, ensuring a consistent service.
While electricity deregulation can offer cost-saving opportunities, it can also expose businesses to market risks such as fluctuating prices due to demand and supply or changes in energy-producing fuel costs. It’s essential to understand these potential risks and consult with energy consultants or brokers.
Many states with deregulated electricity markets provide online resources for comparing electricity suppliers and their offers. Additionally, third-party energy consultants or brokers can offer services to help compare and find the best rates and plans for your business.
Yes, many electricity providers offer renewable energy options in a deregulated market. These can range from a percentage of your electricity sourced from renewable energy to 100% renewable energy plans.
A fixed-rate plan offers a set price per kilowatt-hour that remains constant over the contract term, protecting you from market price fluctuations. A variable-rate plan’s price per kilowatt-hour can change from month to month based on market conditions. Each plan type has its benefits and risks, depending on your business’s energy consumption and budget stability.
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