American Power Solutions makes affordable housing more energy efficient, one upgrade at a time
SD
HQ
Nor Cal
Founded in 2000 in La Mirada, California, American Power Solutions specializes in energy-efficient mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems for commercial, industrial, multifamily, and hospitality properties. The company has since expanded to five other locations, two of which are also in California. Its mission is to help customers reduce their energy use while improving performance through better equipment and technology.
To deliver on this promise, American Power Solutions works with incentive programs that provide financial support, making energy-efficient upgrades more accessible to their customers.
Project Manager Quinn Fang manages American Power Solutions’ relationships with incentive and rebate programs like Multifamily Energy Savings. His work provides a key competitive advantage for American Power Solutions and ensures that properties can benefit from incentives to help pay for their building upgrade projects despite any budget constraints.
“The Multifamily Energy Savings team will help you through it, get you used to the process, and be with you every step of the way.”
— Quinn Fang, Project Manager, American Power Solutions
High-impact efficiency upgrades property owners should prioritize
Prioritizing upgrades can be a challenge for property owners, especially those working with a limited budget. Based on his extensive experience, Quinn offers the following guidance.
Before (Left) and After (Right): Ceiling Lighting
Update equipment you use most often
Property owners should address the equipment that is used most often. “Because you use it every single day, lighting is the easiest and most obvious upgrade a property owner can make to lower energy use,” he said.
Before (Left) and After (Right): Water Heater
Update equipment and systems your property relies on
The next priority should be the equipment and systems that properties rely on. “Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and water heaters consume a lot of energy,” Quinn said. The more efficient these are, the more energy properties stand to save.
Before (Left) and After (Right): Attic Insulation
Update your building envelope
Depending on the age and condition of the property, Quinn might suggest building envelope improvements. “If your envelope is leaking, you’re wasting energy,” he said. Replacing single-pane windows and installing new attic insulation could have a big impact on energy bills.
American Power Solutions and Quinn work with Multifamily Energy Savings because the program provides incentives for these types of upgrades and more. Incentives are particularly beneficial for affordable housing properties that operate on tight budgets and need to keep costs low.
Helping to make affordable housing upgrades more accessible
When it comes to affordable housing properties, Quinn believes it’s his job to make it as easy as possible for property owners to get incentives for the qualifying upgrades that American Power Solutions completes. “I’m a resource that property owners can turn to,” he said.
Quinn’s first objective is to understand what types of upgrades the owner is considering and what will qualify those upgrades for incentives. “I have a good understanding of the program’s processes and know who to go to when there are questions.”
One of Quinn’s favorite parts of his job is helping property owners get the most out of their projects. He enjoys being part of the reason property upgrades happen, especially much-needed upgrades that reduce energy use and provide greater comfort for residents of affordable multifamily properties.
“I can’t say enough about how good it is to work with program partners Drew, Ross, and Blake. They have a great approach that helps contractors move projects forward.”
— Quinn Fang, Project Manager, American Power Solutions
Multifamily Energy Savings: A partner for contractors
To date, American Power Solutions has completed over 20 projects with the Multifamily Energy Savings program and is actively working on many more. Quinn appreciates that anytime he needs clarification or has any questions, the program team is quick to assist. He found that by working closely with the team, the comprehensive process that the program follows became easier to navigate. “I can’t say enough about how good it is to work with Drew, Ross, and Blake,” Quinn said. “They have a great approach that helps contractors move projects forward.”
That collaborative relationship has made a lasting impression on both sides of the partnership. When asked to describe American Power Solutions in one word, Drew Spindler, energy advisor, answered without hesitation: “Professional.”
Drew continues, “Quinn and his team’s ability to be dynamic and collaborative has led to their success as a contractor with the Multifamily Energy Savings program.”
This proved especially valuable during a recent project. While working on a Palm Desert property, Quinn’s customer faced scaling back project scope due to costs. Quinn reached out to Multifamily Energy Savings, and the team worked with him to find other funding sources that could fill the budget gap and complete the additional energy-saving upgrades.
Quinn appreciated how easy the team made figuring out the logistics of participating in multiple incentive programs. They helped him organize information and satisfy documentation requests needed to secure crucial funding and keep the project on track. “The Multifamily Energy Savings team will help you through it, get you used to the process, and be with you every step of the way,” Quinn said.
Support that can make affordable property upgrades possible
Quinn recommends that anyone who wants to participate in Multifamily Energy Savings, whether on the property or contractor side, work with the team. “Learn. Take advantage of what the program offers,” he said.
For property owners that haven’t worked with the program before, Quinn says there’s no reason not to investigate what’s available, especially because there is no commitment to participate. “You don’t have to proceed with the work. The information you can get from the team, like a report on your property’s equipment, is valuable,” said Quinn.
Whether you’re a contractor looking to make projects more affordable to customers or a property owner exploring efficiency upgrades, the Multifamily Energy Savings team wants to hear from you.
