Top Energy Efficiency Consulting Firms in the United States

In our Chicago-based energy efficiency company, we love to read publications from national thought leaders around energy efficiency.  Here is a list of the top consulting firms that focus on energy efficiency.  Please also consider reading our more local list on the top 10 sustainable leaders in Chicagoland.  

McKinsey & Company – Global Management Consulting Firm

McKinsey & Company is a global management consulting firm that helps organizations across the private, public, and social sectors solve their most pressing challenges. McKinsey has a strong track record in energy efficiency, having helped clients save billions of dollars through energy efficiency projects. McKinsey’s energy efficiency consulting services include:

• Strategic planning and implementation
• Technical assessments and benchmarking
• Financial analysis and modeling
• Program management and execution
• Measurement and verification

Boston Consulting Group – Global Management Consulting Firm

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is another leading global management consulting firm that offers energy efficiency consulting services. BCG has helped clients in a variety of industries improve their energy efficiency, including the manufacturing, retail, and healthcare sectors. BCG’s energy efficiency consulting services include:

• Portfolio optimization
• Demand-side management
• Renewable energy procurement
• Energy efficiency financing
• Carbon emissions reduction

Bain &  Company – Global Energy Efficiency Consulting Services

Bain & Company is a third global management consulting firm that provides energy efficiency consulting services. Bain has helped clients in a variety of industries reduce their energy use and costs, including the energy, transportation, and utilities sectors. Bain’s energy efficiency consulting services include:

• Market research and analysis
• Technology assessment and selection
• Vendor negotiations and contracting
• Project management and execution
• ROI tracking and measurement

Ernst & Young – Global Professional Services Firm

EY (Ernst & Young) is a global professional services firm that offers energy efficiency consulting services. EY has helped clients in a variety of industries improve their energy efficiency, including the commercial real estate, manufacturing, and transportation sectors. EY’s energy efficiency consulting services include:

• Energy audits and assessments
• Energy benchmarking and reporting
• Energy management systems implementation
• Demand-side management programs
• Renewable energy procurement

Deloitte – Global Energy Efficiency Consulting Firm

Deloitte is another global professional services firm that offers energy efficiency consulting services. Deloitte has helped clients in a variety of industries reduce their energy use and costs, including the financial services, healthcare, and retail sectors. Deloitte’s energy efficiency consulting services include:

• Energy strategy development
• Portfolio optimization
• Technology assessment and selection
• Project management and execution
• ROI tracking and measurement

In addition to the above firms, there are a number of other smaller, boutique energy efficiency consulting firms that offer specialized services. These firms may be a good option if you have a specific energy efficiency challenge that requires a customized solution.  Verde offers these services on a local level, and specializes in free energy efficiency auditing services for businesses and municipal buildings.  

No matter which energy efficiency consulting firm you choose, it is important to make sure that you have a clear understanding of your goals and objectives before you start working with them. This will help to ensure that you get the most out of the engagement and achieve the desired results.  We call this our pre-qualification phase, understanding how the buildings is used and what the goals are for the leadership of the organization.  

Factors to consider when choosing an energy efficiency firm:

• The firm’s experience and expertise in the energy efficiency industry
• The firm’s track record of success
• The firm’s size and resources
• The firm’s fees
• The firm’s communication and collaboration style