Profile of a Patriot

Through the Lugar Energy Patriot, Senator Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or member of the business community who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America's energy security. In addition to the profile posted here, individuals will receive a certificate designating them Lugar Energy Patriots, and a letter of congratulations.

Ed Fancher
Founder and CEO of Energy Management Solutions
New Albany, Indiana

Herschel “Ed” Fancher of Energy Management Solutions, LLC in New Albany, Indiana is the 30th recipient of the Lugar Energy Patriot award.

Through the Lugar Energy Patriot, Senator Lugar profiles a student, professional, scholar, or member of the business community who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to improve America’s energy security.

Innovation for Conservation

Hershel “Ed” Fancher knows a thing or two about the consulting business.  For more than a decade, Fancher has been helping his clients save money.

His dedication to energy conservation began in 2007, when his consulting business began analyzing utility data for a large fast food chain, and Fancher noticed that a key tool was missing for the analysis process. A major obstacle for energy data analysis was the intricate, lengthy process of data collection and reporting. Fancher set out to develop an easier way for businesses to obtain information on their utility usage and use the information to make smart choices for their companies. 

“Energy Conservation has always been a major factor in the work I’ve done,” said Fancher. “I always keep the long term costs in mind and how that affects business for each client.”

As a result, Fancher developed UtilityRecon™, an automated utility monitoring and reporting system, which he markets to businesses of all sizes through his company, Energy Management Solutions, LLC.  The promise of UtilityRecon™ is that knowledge is power − or in this case, the ability to use less power.

“By making this more accessible and cost-effective to business owners, they can utilize the program and find solutions to conserving their energy,” said Fancher. “It saves time and money, and they are able to do more because UtilityRecon™ makes the entire process more efficient.”

During tough economic times, saving money is important to Hoosier businesses. Fancher’s clients approach him because they want to put money back into their business and fuel economic growth in Indiana communities. 

“We as a society have two options to meet our increasing energy demands.  We can increase our mining and drilling initiatives, while expanding our distribution infrastructures at great expense.  Conversely, we can more wisely use our current resources through better management and conservation initiatives,” said Fancher.  “Regardless of our ability to develop and more efficiently use alternative energy resources, conservation and management will always be the least expensive and most efficient option for maximizing the value from energy resources.”

Turning data into action

After Ed’s team at Energy Management Solutions gathers the consumption data, they then analyze the data and provide recommendations to reduce energy usage and the effects on the surrounding environment. These solutions are put into short and long-term strategies for energy conservation.

“Many large industrial and commercial electric consumers are unaware that peak demand charges are often based on a single one-half hour usage while making up as much as 45% of their monthly utility bill.  By adjusting when large equipment is operated, the peak demand costs can be reduced significantly each month,” Fancher said. “That’s where the significance comes in. We help identify that peak and make changes by moving certain operations to different shifts or in some cases changing the equipment to something more energy efficient.”

Sometimes solutions are as simple as changing behavioral habits, such as turning appliances off.

“A lot of it is just applying common sense solutions.  We’re not really developing a new energy generating technology,” said Fancher. “We’re helping our clients to more efficiently utilize the energy currently available and really conserve. We’re defining a smarter use of their current resources.”

Ed Fancher is proving that knowledge is power when it comes to energy savings. His team at Energy Management Solutions is providing the knowledge for businesses in Indiana and across the nation to conserve energy. Ed Fancher’s forward-thinking and innovation is leading the way in energy stewardship. 

Senator Lugar agrees. That is why he congratulates Ed Fancher of Energy Management Solutions, LLC on being a Lugar Energy Patriot.