EnergyLink’s Colin McCarthy Earns Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Designation

We are excited to announce that our systems engineer, Colin McCarthy, received a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) designation at the end of February, making him the first person on a team with this certification. 

What is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Designation?

A certified energy manager designation can be earned through the Association of Energy Engineers. In order to receive this certification, an individual must travel to a live CEM training seminar that covers a breadth of energy industry topics that will help the individual optimize the energy performance of a facility, building, or industrial plant. 

What is the Objective of the CEM Designation?

The CEM program helps educate and qualify individuals involved in optimizing the use of energy in buildings and systems. By obtaining the CEM certification, candidates gain industry and peer recognition by demonstrating their understanding of energy-efficiency principles, practices, and technologies. The program also helps the energy industry by raising the professional standards, both technical and ethical, of those engaged in energy efficiency and energy management. 

CEM’s Worldwide Recognition 

The CEM accreditation is one of the most globally respected in the field of energy management. The program started in 1981 and since then, over 30,000 professionals from over 100 countries have participated in AEE’s CEM program. 

The program is ISO IEC 17024 accredited by Entidad Nacional de Acreditación (ENAC), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines Recognized Program. The program is also recognized by many other organizations worldwide such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Navy. Check out the CEM website for a complete list.

What Fundamental Areas Does the CEM Training Cover?

The certification program requires fundamental knowledge across several core principles and practices specific to energy management in buildings and facilities. These include:

To get the complete list of topics, click here.

Who Qualifies for CEM Training?

In order to receive this certification, an individual must first meet certain criteria specified on the AAE website. 

How EnergyLink Benefits from the CEM Certification

Colin McCarthy, our Systems Engineer, said the training for this certification was a great refresher for him and a source of encouragement. McCarthy brought back several big takeaways to EnergyLink from the CEM training that include:

1. New Data

If companies aren’t focused on yearly training for employees, it can be easy for them to fall behind. This is why EnergyLink is focused on continuous training for our employees. By taking this class, McCarthy gained exposure to the most recent updates and industry statistics to ensure EnergyLink stays on the cutting edge of energy systems and energy management. 

2. Restored Interest in Soft Benefits

According to McCarthy, the CEM training gave him a greater awareness of soft benefits.

“The class restored my interest in soft benefits,” McCarthy said. “Hard benefits would be the utility savings you would receive after installing a new energy system. But, there may be other benefits such as extending the life of the system and saving on maintenance that can be incredibly impactful but often overlooked.”

3. Importance of Maintenance

CEM training focused on the importance of maintenance and how it can be the best way for clients to save. Although it may not be as glamorous as a solar panel project, often times continuous maintenance activities provide the highest and fastest return on investment.

For More Information

For more information on our certifications and our team, check out our website. For a free quote on an energy project, contact us!