Innovation

Mechanical & Electrical Engineers (M&E) provides innovative services, which include design-build services and applying “sustainability” concepts into practical constructions. To be more precise, M&E Engineers has no allegiance to any vendors or contractors and they stay true to their philosophy that the well-being and health of the people within those buildings and the environment’s well-being are the main concerns to address during construction. William “Bill” Amann, the president of M&E Engineers, realized the importance of making a change in energy consumption. By the early ’80s, Bill became an expert in energy modeling and several aspects related to efficiency, but he was not aware of Green buildings until 2004 when he was introduced to LEED certification. The simple idea that all businesses have buildings and that all buildings have people resonated with Bill. He wanted to focus on creating safe work environments for the employees. Buildings are bad inherently, but Bill believes in continuous innovation that will propel buildings into becoming an asset to the environment instead of a hindrance.

M&E Engineers has expanded to implement the most progressive power and energy efficient technologies available in order to create custom solutions for a diverse group of corporate, industrial, institutional, and governmental clients. The mission around this innovation is to build sustainable cities and communities. M&E Engineers aims to educate people on energy efficiency while staying aligned with their sustainability goals.

Inspiration

While studying at Rutgers University, Bill had his first glimpse at the world of energy efficiency. He found it to be an opportunity of enlightenment from the Thermodynamics course, so he decided to add solar energy to his course schedule. Alternative energy was still a very brand new topic in the 1970s. Throughout college, Bill went from a focus on electrical engineering to industrial engineering to ultimately landing a summer job that shed some light on energy inefficiency. At his summer job, he was tasked with assisting in the installation of heating and air conditioner systems in buildings. The job brought his attention to how wasteful people are with their energy. In the ’70s there was little regulation and no energy codes concerned with monitoring energy efficiency within the buildings. Back then, the main concern for constructing a building was material expenses. For example, everyone was concerned with using the cheapest material to save costs, even buying furniture that was built with formaldehyde (a known carcinogen) and using little to no insulation in buildings, which meant air conditioner and heating systems were exhausting more energy than needed. The year 1979 was an important year for many and Bill was no exception. At the time he was staying at the Rutgers Silver apartments, an accident occurred with the nuclear plant at 3 Mile Island. “We put peoples’ lives at risk and then proceed to wastefully use the energy”. This was the final push that solidified his decision to completely turn his focus towards alternative energy.

Overall impact

M&E Engineers provides a full range of engineering, design, and advisory services for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems. With a clear focus and a hardworking team, M&E has established a diverse client base that includes Fortune 100 firms, private owners, educational institutions, and state, county, and local governments, etc.

Additionally, M&E Engineers has an influence on green initiative programs and educational events. Once Bill found out about LEED certification he got involved with the US Green Building Council as an accredited LEED professional in sustainability and energy efficiency. Instead of just working for people who were already aware of the economic and social benefits of alternative energy, Bill recognized the importance of educating others and spreading the word around. He became Chair of the Education Committee. Due to the constant debate on Climate Change, it is important to get people properly and fully informed, “I go down to talk to towns, companies, the industry groups, to make them aware that America has done a great job in the real estate industry, putting up buildings green, cheap and fast. It’s important to let people know it’s possible. ”

In addition, M&E provides human health & wellness consulting utilizing the WELL Building Standard®, a performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and wellbeing, through the air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. M&E Engineers successfully achieves as much as 15% or more energy efficiency and provides healthier environments for many occupants.

Business benefit

As a consulting firm, M&E Engineers sees most of its benefits through the societal impact they leave behind. As a company, they are sought after and have built a strong reputation for themselves. With a focus on sustainability, they have benefited from the constant updates on safety and buildings regulations that now require certain Green standards be met. As energy efficiency has become a trend, more businesses depend on M&E to provide them with the best plans and vendors to construct buildings which improve their social responsibility reputation. M&E’s technologies help companies save money by reducing electricity payments and energy generating equipment costs, which is especially attractive to small companies. For example, with M&E’s help, PSEG achieved energy and cost savings of 30% at their 96,000 sq ft training facility in New Jersey. Mack-Cali Realty Corp achieved Energy Star certification for over 25 of their buildings with the support of M&E.

Since clean energy and energy saving is the trend of the future, in the long-term the need for their service will keep increasing and boost their business. For example, the New Jersey Government built the Energy Master Plan, which set the goal to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2050. In the past, Bill has provided the government with recommendations on energy regulations and is currently participating in updating the plan.

With their constant innovations in sustainability engineering, M&E Engineers will continue to grow their sustainability goal always intact.

Social and environmental benefit

With the desire to enhance energy efficiency, M&E Engineers has a far-reaching impact on the educational field, human health & wellness, and environmental improvement.

Bill, as the Chair of the Education Committee, is a strong believer of the old saying: Produce good people, the rest follows. Like he said, “We try to get everybody so it is just a practical matter of how you get to them”. Bill emphasizes the importance of high-quality training among employees, by providing specific training every two weeks.

Ever since the formation of M&E Engineers, integrating energy efficiency and conservation has been a core focus. Utilizing ASHRAE standards, energy modeling, measurement, test equipment, and a team of proactive engineers, M&E excels in energy management, retrofits, operations, high-performance building design, and renewable energy. Just like the UN Sustainable Goal states, M&E Engineers pushes for a conversion to renewable sources, and it calls for dramatic improvements in efficiency everywhere. More specifically, M&E Engineers has been on the vanguard of sustainable design since inception and today boasts an impressive roster of LEED Certifications, Energy Star Certifications, and other green design awards for clients as well as millions of tons of CO2 and KWH savings and of course significant financial savings.

Interviews

WILLIAM AMANN, Owner and President

DREW DEPALMA, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS