Interview with Ravi Parikh, Project Manager and Outside Sales

Ravi Parikh is the project manager at CED Twin State Electric Supply for VT and NH. (Courtesy image

G.E.T. Staff

Congratulations to CED Twin State Electric Supply for receiving Efficiency Vermont’s Partner of the Year in Energy Leadership Award.

GET: How did you get started in this industry?

Ravi Parikh: I began my career managing a dairy energy efficiency program in CA. Many of the projects that came through the program were lighting upgrades – going from T12 or T8 to HPT8. I supported so many lighting projects during that time. I slowly became an expert on the technology, and I haven’t looked back since. I work for Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED) as a project manager and outside sales representative. I started working for them about 2.5 years ago.

GET: What is your service territory and about how many customers do you serve?

RP: CED is a national company, but we have local branches through VT, NH and ME. I personally support all of VT and parts of NH. CED serves thousands of customers, but our key target markets are electrical contractors, utilities, and large commercial users.

GET: What is your area of expertise?

RP: My expertise is commercial lighting and controls. However, CED is well-versed in all-things electrical. From a simple light switch to high-voltage equipment, we have expertise in all areas including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, cold-climate heat pumps, residential lighting, and more.

GET: What projects do people try to do themselves that really should be done professionally?

RP: I always suggest consulting a professional for the “electrification of things” in our homes. We are seeing a lot of new demand for EV charging stations and cold-climate heat pumps (CCHP). We often find homeowners not knowing the impacts those increased loads can have on their electrical service, and this can lead to unintended costs and project delays. There are also misconceptions that CCHP’s, as an example, can replace existing heating systems all together, and that may not always be true. A professional can help navigate those impacts for the homeowner to help determine the best path forward.

GET: If you could only choose one type of project to reduce someone’s carbon footprint or improve efficiency, what would it be and why?

RP: Selfishly, I would say lighting upgrades (especially on the commercial side) can be a simple path to improve efficiency. Not only will efficiencies improve, but new lighting technologies, when done right, can last longer, improve light quality, and make the occupants of that space feel more productive and stimulated for a relatively low cost.

With that said, though, never underestimate the benefits of weatherization, if you can afford it.

GET: Can you share one project (and some details) that really stands out to you as moving from inefficiency to efficiency?

RP: I once upgraded high-wattage lighting in an old warehouse. There were no existing light switches, so the owner just left the lights running 24/7 versus having his employees flip the breakers.

Not only was he convinced to change to LEDs, but we also included occupancy sensors to turn on and off the lights as needed. The energy savings were substantial, and the light levels in the warehouse were vastly improved, which made it much easier for his employees to work throughout the day.

GET: What is it in your field of specialty which is most valuable (related to energy efficiency) that our readers ought to know about?

RP: Lighting goes well beyond energy efficiency. When done correctly, lighting can have a real positive impact on our well-being through proper stimulation of our circadian rhythms. This can lead to better sleep, better health, and happier people.

GET: Why should people use an EEN member over someone else?

RP: EEN members have a strong background in efficiency projects. We all have learned the best practices through extensive projects, training, and working together with Efficiency VT. There are many, many years of practice in the EEN network, and people should leverage that as much as possible.

GET: What are the best ways to finance projects (or what incentives are available) for residential or commercial projects?

RP: Depending on the project and technology installed, there can be state or federal incentives available. I would always consult with your local utility and Efficiency VT to help maximize those incentives on projects.

GET: What are some questions you recommend customers ask when selecting someone to do work to meet energy efficiency goals?

RP: I find it beneficial to ask how long the contractor has worked in the trade, how many projects they have worked on, and if they have any local references. I also suggest getting a better understanding of the product being installed and the services and support offered to ensure continued success of the installed technology.