Many of the "modern" commercial buildings in the Chicago area are now more than 40 years old. "vintage" buildings may date back to the 1920s. A few remaining "classic" buildings were here before the turn of the 20th Century. A large percentage of these buildings are still operating with their original equipment and, therefore, are paying a tremendous premium for wasted energy. Deferred maintenance or the simple aging of equipment means that older buildings are not even operating at their original design efficiency.

The majority of energy-saving innovations for commercial buildings are a result of the energy crisis of the mid 1970s. Only a small percentage of Chicago commercial spaces have taken full advantage of the energy-saving potential of advanced technologies. As energy prices climb, the penalty for operating aging and outdated equipment will soar.

Informed Energy Decisions provides energy audits and consulting for design, rehab and construction

Services include:
• Utility bill analysis
• Benchmarking
• Condition surveys
• Computer energy modeling
• "Repair or replace" decisions
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Advice on energy-based tax incentives
• Lighting retrofits
• Strategies for control and operations
• Energy rating and Energy Star™ certification
• "Green" design and construction consulting