Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.
Also known as: Alternative Energy Engineer, Carbon Analyst, Carbon Specialist, Certified Green Building Engineer, Energy Conservation Engineer, Energy Efficiency Engineer, Energy Engineer, Energy Infrastructure Engineer, ...
Annual Salary
Median annual wage (May 2024)
Job Outlook
Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)
What You'd Do
- Perform energy modeling, measurement, verification, commissioning, or retro-commissioning.
- Inspect or monitor energy systems, including heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or daylighting systems to determine energy use or potential energy savings.
- Manage the development, design, or construction of energy conservation projects to ensure acceptability of budgets and time lines, conformance to federal and state laws, or adherence to approved specifications.
- Monitor and analyze energy consumption.
- Promote awareness or use of alternative or renewable energy sources.
- Analyze, interpret, or create graphical representations of energy data, using engineering software.
- Review or negotiate energy purchase agreements.
- Train personnel or clients on topics such as energy management.
- Write or install energy management routines for building automation systems.
- Identify and recommend energy savings strategies to achieve more energy-efficient operation.
- Conduct energy audits to evaluate energy use and to identify conservation and cost reduction measures.
- Monitor energy related design or construction issues, such as energy engineering, energy management, or sustainable design.
- Advise clients or colleagues on topics such as climate control systems, energy modeling, data logging, sustainable design, or energy auditing.
- Verify energy bills and meter readings.
- Collect data for energy conservation analyses, using jobsite observation, field inspections, or sub-metering.
- Review architectural, mechanical, or electrical plans or specifications to evaluate energy efficiency.
- Prepare energy-related project reports or related documentation.
- Direct the implementation of energy management projects.
- Research renewable or alternative energy systems or technologies, such as solar thermal or photovoltaic energy.
- Recommend best fuel for specific sites or circumstances.
Top Skills
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Knowledge Areas
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level
Technology & Tools
Software and tools commonly used in this role
In-Demand Technologies
Other Tools
Work Styles
Personality traits and work styles important for this career
Key Abilities
Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Activities
General types of job behaviors occurring on this job
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Environment
Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work
Related Careers
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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.