The role of an energy consultant varies with the broker that he or she is associated/affiliated with or employed by. After conducting much research into this industry, I decided to become a commercial energy consultant but finding the best broker to work with took some research.
The residential energy market is overwhelmed with energy brokers. There are so many companies playing the broker role and very few can handle commercial clients. The largest residential brokers in the business can typically handle small commercial clients but it’s certainly not their area of expertise. I wanted to find the best broker for the chore at hand.
Many states have very strict requirements and legalities on who can “claim” to be an energy consultant or a broker. In New Jersey where I am located, they took it even further so unless you have a commercial address and put up a $6000 bond, I can no longer even be considered a consultant, let alone a broker; even though I’ve been doing exactly that for the past 12 years! Avion Energy has always been my broker and I am now called an independent agent instead of a consultant. Again, it depends on the state regulations as they all differ, including what people like me can even have as a title.
In analyzing all the commercial energy brokers I found many companies with an automated WEB based system and soon found that clients didn’t typically get exposed to all the energy providers in a given state and certainly didn’t get the personal service and expertise that I was hoping to offer. Now, over a decade later, it’s not surprising that most of the other broker organizations that I looked into are no longer even in business.
Most commercial brokers have limited relationships with energy suppliers and are usually only licensed to conduct business in a rather small geography. I also wanted to find a company without these limitations.
My search eventually led to Avion Energy which seemed to be an answer to prayer. Avion Energy has relationships with almost 100 electricity providers and gas providers and does business in every deregulated state. In order to join, I had to participate in extensive training and have my hand held for my first few clients. I discovered many other benefits of being associated with this company including:
- Has a relationship with most of the major energy producers available to the deregulated states. (about 97 and counting!)
- Utilizes proprietary software which in essence has suppliers bidding against each other which gets YOU the best price!
- A dedicated support person for me who gives me excellent service
- Weekly informative conference calls updating me on industry and pricing trends
- Management of high caliber, high integrity and a wealth of experience in energy
- A renewal rate of over 96% which indicates clients being happy
- Consistent ability of negotiating rates that save my clients money
- Focus is only on businesses and non-profit organizations
- Avion views this from the perspective of the client and has a multi-tier support structure.
- I am typically provided quotes from ten or more different energy providers and a variety of fixed and variable rates. (the best quotes)
Warren Buffet (one of the richest men in the world with expertise in the energy field) stated that energy deregulation will create the greatest transfer of wealth in our history.
There is a huge opportunity for businesses to save on energy expenses and just add it to the bottom line. Considering that this service is provided free of charge and with absolutely no obligation, you have to be crazy to not at least check it out.
Avion Energy has won many prestigious awards over the years including two years in a row from Energy Business Review.
The process begins with an authorized representative of your company signing an LOA. This letter of authorization allows my broker to obtain your company’s usage history for the past year. Your latest three electric and/or gas bills is all that’s needed in addition to the LOA.
Usually in about a week or less I will present you with the best possible rates available in your geography. I will also go through the contract with the provider that you may choose and explain anything necessary. A simplified version of the process is available by clicking here. Give me a call today toll free at (855) 722-3113 or check out Avion Energy to learn more.