NCG News

"Energy-Efficient Technologies for Commercial Buildings"

contact@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Newman Consulting Group) — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 15:07:36 GMT

Join us for a webinar on “ Energy-Efficient Technologies for Commercial Buildings” sponsored by the Detroit 2030 District, August 20, 2021 : 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT

Cool roofs are a critical component to combat the “Heat Island effect”. Do you know what the Heat island effect is? How does this system create a urban building sustainable? Sam Tilman from Duro-Last will talk about the many benefits of cool roofs for building owners and why this is key design to consider for future buildings.

Do you know how Indoor air quality (IAQ) in buildings affect the health and productivity of their residing occupants? How can these ideas create more cleanliness and airflow in the age of Covid-19? Jim Newman from Newman Consulting Group will touch on the topics of various industry guidelines to conditioning and cleaning your building air.

How do we fix these issues or learn more? These are the topics that the Detroit 2030 District webinar will discuss on August 20th at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, with Sam Tilman and Jim Newman as speakers over these pressing issues.

To learn more or register for the webinar, click here.

"Facilities Maintenance of Air Quality Systems"

contact@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Newman Consulting Group) — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 13:30:00 GMT

Mark your calendar for the webinar on "Facilities Maintenance of Air Quality Systems" sponsored by Lorman Education with NCG Testimonials, August 18, 2021 : 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Indoor air quality in buildings (IAQ) affects the health and productivity of the occupants residing within the buildings. Learning and applying these methods of cleaner airway systems and airflow with COVID-19 still prevalent, allows more buildings to reopen and have people return to work. These topics, among others, will be discussed on August 18th at 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM, featuring Jim Newman as the speaker.

Get a 50% discount to the webinar using code : G7735813

Jim Newman Named ASHRAE Fellow

contact@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Newman Consulting Group) — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 16:30:41 GMT

Jim Newman, owner and managing partner of Newman Consulting Group, LLC (NCG) in Farmington Hills, Mich., was honored as a Fellow of the international ASHRAE organization.

According to the organization’s announcement, “Fellow ASHRAE is a membership grade that recognizes members who have attained distinction and made substantial contributions in HVAC&R and the built environment such as education, research, engineering design and consultation, publications, presentations, and mentoring.” Newman was one of only 14 members to receive the honor at this year’s virtual conference.

Jim Newman has been promoting energy conservation and indoor air quality for more than 40 years and has been known as the “Dean of Green” since 2008 for educating people the world over as an author, featured panelist, ASHRAE Distinguished lecturer, keynote speaker and trainer. He is seen here presenting "Transforming an Existing Building into a High-Performing Facility" to the London, Ontario, Canada ASHRAE Chapter. He has taught architects and engineers, building managers, maintenance professionals, student groups and the media about sustainability and green building technology.

In 2002 he founded Newman Consulting Group to help commercial, industrial and multi-family property owners implement energy efficiency projects to eliminate waste and save money. Today NCG is one of the Midwest’s premier energy efficiency and green building consulting firms, specializing in energy audits, LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification consulting, building commissioning and re- and retro-commissioning, and PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) and PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) financing.

Janice Means Honored with ESD Gold Award

contact@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Newman Consulting Group) — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 16:28:44 GMT

Janice Means, an Associate of Newman Consulting Group, LLC (NCG), was recognized by the Engineering Society of Detroit with its prestigious Gold Award. This honor is bestowed upon an individual who is collectively upheld for his or her dedication and outstanding contributions to the fields of science and engineering. Ms. Means received her recognition at a special reception on March 17.

Hosted by The Engineering Society of Detroit and its Affiliate Council, the event will also highlight awards from individual organizations that comprise the Affiliate Council.

An expert in energy standards, energy reduction and sustainability, she helps building owners and facility managers improve operations and maintenance, especially as they relate to mitigating the effects of climate change. Professor Emeritus, Lawrence Technological University (LTU), Means has diverse experience in consulting, industry and higher education.

See more in this article from The Oakland Press.

Which Filters Are Most Effective Against COVID?

contact@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Newman Consulting Group) — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 22:05:28 GMT

For Immediate Release

Mark your calendar for the ASHRAE COVID-19 Task Force webinar on filters, Thursday, Feb 25th 12PM - 1PM.

With COVID-19 still circling like a vulture, it's no wonder that IAQ (Indoor Air Quality), air-cleaning and filters are en vogue. Everyone is talking about MERV ratings. But, what about MERV-A ratings? Do you know the difference? Find out at this informative lunchtime webinar Thursday, Feb 25th 12 PM - 1PM., where Fred Marshall and Jim Newman will be discussing this and other exciting topics in air-cleaning:

How media filters really work and their efficacy against COVID-19
ASHRAE 52.2 rating test procedure, including MERV and MERV-A filter ratings,
Harmonization of ASHRAE 52.2 & ISO 16890, and when we can expect this to happen
How other air-cleaning technologies (particularly UV-C, PCO, BPI and DHP) augment media filters
Code implications when air-cleaning is used to reduce OA quantities
3rd party testing to verify the efficacy of air-cleaning technologies

Fred has over 30 years’ experience in the filtration industry and has worked for American Air Filter, Fiberbond Corporation and the Farr Company. For a brief time, he worked with a local filter distributor in Metro Detroit before starting two of his own companies, Air Filtration Concepts and Ventilation Technologies. AFC was a distributor and representative for Farr, FiberBond, and Filtration Group. VTI designed, manufactured, and installed their own Mist Collectors and Dust Collectors to the automotive industry. In 2003 the filter side of AFC/VTI was purchased by EXFil which was later purchased by Camfil. Camfil asked Fred to stay on as the Branch Manager. In his current role, in addition to supporting sales on the eastern side of Michigan, Fred educates customers and industry practitioners on filtration technologies.

Jim is an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and a pillar of the green building design and sustainability community. Previously he owned a large manufacturer's representative firm. Today, he is the managing partner of Newman Consulting Group, where he uses his years of experience in design and manufacturing to help owners and facility managers improve the performance of their buildings. Frequently, he speaks across North America and around the globe educating lawmakers, industry practitioners and student groups on ways to improve building energy efficiency and IAQ. Jim is a Fellow of both ASHRAE and the Engineering Society of Detroit and an active member of the Joint MI ASHRAE Chapters COVID-19 Task Force, which has been helping various departments in the State of Michigan to develop guidance in responding to the pandemic.

Webinar Details:

Thursday, Feb 25th 12 PM - 1PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/95304777630?pwd=cEJDTUxKWWhvajlQeGJKWW0vdWYwdz09&from=addon
Meeting ID: 953 0477 7630
Passcode: 3aSvHz

HVAC and COVID, where Michigan schools stand

contact@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Newman Consulting Group) — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 18:05:35 GMT

Despite following CDC guidelines for social distancing and mask wearing, many schools lack proper protection for combating COVID. According to a recent article by Koby Levin on Chalkbeat.org, schools need to do more than supply PPE.

"Across the U.S., few schools have invested in systems capable of pumping optimal amounts of fresh air into classrooms," he writes. Based on a recent analysis of nearly 300 Michigan schools, "Many districts haven’t been able to afford the HVAC upgrades that would have helped them reduce the spread of COVID-19 in classrooms."

In addition to many high-level education and government officials, Jim Newman of Newman Consulting Group was consulted on the article for his expertise in Indoor Air Quality, energy efficiency and funding upgrades.

See the full article: "Many Michigan schools lack air filters that would help fight COVID-19"

BOMA Detroit Honors Jim Newman with Lifetime Achievement Award

contact@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Newman Consulting Group) — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 06:30:00 GMT

Farmington Hills, MI Jim Newman, owner and managing partner of Newman Consulting Group, LLC (NCG) in Farmington Hills, Mich., was honored with BOMA Metro Detroit’s (Building Owners and Managers Association) Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization’s Annual Meeting on December 6.

According to BOMA, the award is presented annually to a member who “exemplifies outstanding leadership and achievement.” Mr. Newman is being recognized for his many years of service and for “a demonstrated ability and commitment to going beyond the expected standards for service and professionalism.” Among his many contributions, he was Chair of the Detroit BOMA Chapter's Committee on Sustainability from 2009 to 2016, was a speaker at the 2018 national BOMA Convention in San Antonio, TX, and has been a judge for the TOBY Award (The Outstanding Building of the Year) several times.

Trained as a mechanical engineer, Newman has been known as the “Dean of Green” since 2010 for educating people the world over as an author, featured panelist, ASHRAE Distinguished lecturer, keynote speaker and trainer. He has taught architects and engineers, building managers, maintenance professionals, student groups and the media about sustainability and green technology.

In addition to BOMA, Jim is active in many technical societies and organizations, including ASHRAE (American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers), USGBC (United States Green Building Council), IFMA (International Facility Management Association), AIA COTE (American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment), and the Urban Land Institute (ULI).

Newman has been promoting energy conservation and indoor air quality for more than 40 years. In 2002 he founded Newman Consulting Group to help commercial, industrial and multi-family property owners implement energy efficiency projects to eliminate waste and save money. Today NCG is one of the Midwest’s premier energy efficiency and green building consulting firms, specializing in energy audits and LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification consulting, building commissioning and re- and retro-commissioning, and PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) and PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) financing.

Click for more information on BOMA Metro Detroit or Newman Consulting Group.

Pictured above left (l to r): Lynn Newman, Jim Newman, Stuart Newman, Valerie Newman, Gregg McDuffee. Photo by Masserman Photography

Pictured lower right : Jim Newman accepts the BOMA Lifetime Achievement Award with his family on stage with him (l to r), wife Lynn Newman, son Stewart Newman, (behind) daughter Valerie Newman, and Jim at the podium delivering his acceptance speech. Photo by Masserman Photography

CV Magazine Names NCG Energy Innovator for 2019

contact@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Newman Consulting Group) — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 20:00:00 GMT

Farmington Hills, MI Newman Consulting Group (NCG) has been named the Best Energy-Efficient Building Consultancy - Michigan by CV Magazine Energy Innovator Awards. This award recognizes leading companies and individuals who strive for excellence in this important and evolving sector.

"Now more than ever, we must pay attention to how much energy we use," says James (Jim) L. Newman, Owner, Managing Director, Newman Consulting Group. "In the United States, our buildings are responsible for nearly a third of our energy consumption and almost 40% of GHG emissions. We have the capability to change that."

NCG was recognized for their work improving energy conservation and air quality in new and existing buildings, as well as providing financing for energy conservation projects and supporting LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification projects.

CEOs, corporate directors and investment professionals from an array of industries and sectors worldwide rely on CV Magazine as a resource for news, features and comment on the corporate issues of the day.

Newman Consulting Group is one of the Midwest’s premier energy efficiency and green building consulting firms, specializing in energy audits, LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification consulting, building commissioning, re- and retro-commissioning, and PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) and PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) financing. NCG helps commercial, industrial and multi-family property owners incorporate sustainability principles, implement energy-efficiency projects (including renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal), eliminate waste, and save money.

Jim Newman Honored with Prestigious Service Award

contact@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Newman Consulting Group) — Thu, 09 May 2019 18:53:54 GMT

Farmington Hills, MI Jim Newman, owner and managing partner of Newman Consulting Group, LLC (NCG) in Farmington Hills, Mich., received the ESD Affiliate Council’s Ann O. Fletcher Distinguished Service Award for 2018. The recognition honors individuals for their dedicated service. The award was first presented in 1997 in Ann O. Fletcher’s name to honor her lifetime contribution to The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD). The Affiliate Council consists of professionals representing 100+ ESD Affiliated Technical Societies. Mr. Newman was recognized at a special reception in March.

Jim Newman is one of the country’s most experienced energy efficiency and green building experts. Known as the “Dean of Green,” Jim regularly speaks across the U.S. and internationally to professionals, student groups and the media about sustainability and green technology. He has been involved in this industry long enough to be both a seasoned expert and a pioneer. Recently he began using his career expertise to help new and existing buildings use PACE financing for improving energy efficiency.

An active member of many technical societies, Newman is a Fellow of the Engineering Society of Detroit (FESD), and in 2018 was recognized with the TechCentury Image Award. He is a certified trainer for ASHRAE Energy Standard 90.1, the basis for building codes in most states, and has trained hundreds of architects, engineers, code officials and contractors on the use of the Standard.

NCG is one of the Midwest’s premier energy efficiency and green building consulting firms, specializing in energy audits, LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification consulting, building commissioning and re- and retro-commissioning, and PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) and PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) financing. NCG helps commercial, industrial and multi-family property owners incorporate sustainability principles, implement energy efficiency projects (including renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal), eliminate waste, and save money through innovative financing.

Photo by the Engineering Society of Detroit

Newman Consulting Group Announces First PACE Project in Ingham County

jimn@newmanconsultinggroup.us (Jim Newman) — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 18:32:39 GMT

Former home of Belen’s Flowers gets a new lease on life!

Farmington Hills, Mich. Newman Consulting Group, LLC, is pleased to announce that they have completed financing for the first Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) project in Ingham County, Mich. PACE financing is a relatively new option in Michigan that allows building owners to finance energy efficiency upgrades (HVAC, windows, lighting, insulation, etc.) with long-term, low-cost financing. PACE works for new build or renovations of existing buildings.

Vesta Builders (515 Ionia LLC) initiated the rehabilitation of two blighted buildings located two blocks from the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing and contacted NCG to help with the PACE financing. An iconic landmark formerly known as Belen's Flowers, the pair of mid-1920s buildings is being converted into ‘energy efficient’ new office/retail space on the street level with six multifamily units on the upper level.

Additionally, thanks to the Lean & Green Michigan PACE program and other respective PACE partners that made this project possible, this new building will include exciting energy conservation features such as an electric vehicle charger, solar panels, and high efficiency HVAC upgrades, all while maintaining the historical charm of the buildings.

“It feels so good to have done our first, of likely many, PACE projects," said Ingham County Treasurer, Eric Schertzing, "And how fitting that this breathes new life into the Belen Building. Lucile Belen and her mother Elizabeth were pioneering leaders in politics and business in our community. I know Lucile will be smiling down and watching her building be repurposed for the future.”

Jim Newman, managing partner of Newman Consulting Group, said, “Commercial building owners in the US spend over $200 billion per year on utilities, yet 30% of this is wasted due to inefficiency. Almost every building that is over ten years old can benefit from energy efficiency upgrades that often result in 15 - 40% energy savings.” The energy projects that could make these buildings more energy efficient often require a large amount of up-front capital and take many years to achieve profitability. Commercial loans typically have a tenor of 3-5 years, making the annual repayment greater than the energy savings. PACE changes all this by allowing property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects via a property tax special assessment. Essentially, a building owner uses the money they save to finance the project.

Ingham County’s elected leaders created a countywide PACE district in April 2013 by joining the statewide PACE program. Since the County will enforce the PACE assessment just like any other property tax obligation, lenders feel secure in providing fixed-interest loans with terms of up to 25 years. The result is 100% financing to facilitate energy-saving projects. In addition, these projects create good jobs, and communities upgrade their building stock, increasing the local tax base over time.

Project Quick Stats:
• PACE district: Ingham County
• Property owner: 515 Ionia LLC
• PACE Administrator: Lean & Green Michigan
• PACE lender: CounterpointeSRE
• Amount financed: $247,829
• Project term: 20 years
• Net 20 year savings: $267,457

Energy conservation measures:
● 4-kw of solar power
● High-efficiency windows
● Installation of an electric vehicle charger
● Installation of a 4.4kw Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system
● Boiler upgrade
● Energy efficient appliances
● LED lighting/switch sensors

Impact: Reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to eliminating the energy use of 11.2 homes for each of the 20 years of the project.

This project serves as a great example for how PACE projects of all sizes can create meaningful energy savings while decreasing our carbon footprint.