# Energy service agreements: Potential big kid in town? - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/02/energy-service-agreements-potential-big-kid-in-town/ - Published: 2019-02-17T01:46:28-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy # By Steven Nadel, Executive Director_ wrote this post. ## _This is the first of a four-part series of blog posts. All on recent developments and trends in energy efficiency finance. Subsequent posts will discuss PACE financing and on-bill financing.  Finally wrapping up with financing deep retrofits._ Furthermore, [Energy service agreements](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/making-energy-efficiency-work-for-utilities-new-findings/)( ESAs), a type of financing, are growing in popularity. So under an ESA, a service provider delivers energy-saving services. It does this by using equipment it owns and operates. Recent projects include multimillion dollar investments by financial institutions (Citi and Generate Capital) and a large utility (National Grid). While most ESAs target large businesses and institutions such as hospitals and universities, at least one vendor now provides these services to homeowners. ![Energy service agreements potential big kid in town](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/library-la-trobe-study-students-159740.jpg?resize =150%2C150&quality=52&ssl=1 "Energy service agreements: Potential big kid in town?- The Green Living Guy") ESAs, available for many years, have gained notable support in the past year because they offer services guaranteed to save energy in a way that is designed to be off company balance sheets at a cost that is less than or equal to existing utility charges. Many companies want to decrease the liabilities shown on their balance sheets and therefore often prefer off-balance-sheet financing. In contrast, some other financing strategies, such as, power purchase agreements and operating leases( including many energy savings performance [contracts and shared savings agreements](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/09/drafting-eco-friendly-agreements-and-contracts/)). All that before were off the balance sheet. More noteworthy they now need to be disclosed on company financial statements. This is under [new guidance](https://www.fasb.org/jsp/FASB/FASBContent_C/NewsPage&cid=1176167901466) from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). ![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/pexels-photo- 207697.jpg?resize=150%2C150&quality=52&ssl=1 "pexels-photo-207697 - The Green Living Guy") In conclusion, and under a typical agreement, the ESA provider develops, finances, and operates projects. That’s with the customer paying for these services. Therefore through a services charge based on realized savings. The ESA provider often subcontracts engineering and installation. That’s to an energy service company that can carry out complex projects. Most importantly, guarantee savings. In some cases, the ESA provider pays a facility’s energy bill.  Then in turn bills the customer for combining energy and [energy efficiency](https://greenlivingguy.com/2006/04/bush-reportedly-regrets-global-warming-energy-policy-decisions/) services. So this variation is sometimes called a “managed energy services agreement” or MESA   To continue reading the blog post, visit: [http://www2.aceee.org/](https://aceee.org/blog/2019/02/energy-service-agreements-potential) [e/310911/y-service-agreements-](https://aceee.org/blog/2019/02/energy-service-agreements-potential) [potential/6m25cm/301956124?h=](https://aceee.org/blog/2019/02/energy-service-agreements-potential) [Jnmx2IBsTVCGx9JKAECCdKUbqprQol](https://aceee.org/blog/2019/02/energy-service-agreements-potential) [GFXodhZlFcZxA](https://aceee.org/blog/2019/02/energy-service-agreements-potential) #### _About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy acts is a catalyst to advance energy efficiency. All in policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit__ __󠀁[aceee.org](https://web.archive.org/web/20190824231044/https://aceee.org/)󠁿_ ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)