The problem

Unpredictable and expensive energy bills were straining both operations and margins

For a leading franchise of Crunch Fitness based in New York, monthly electricity costs were becoming a persistent, frustrating issue. Bills fluctuated from month to month, leading to difficulties forecasting spend for the club, and high costs were beginning to strain the business. 

Crunch had taken a smart first step to improve their situation: Installing smart thermostats. But without expertise in configuring them, they saw little pay-off – and even experienced member complaints about gym temperatures. With employees frequently changing settings and placing the thermostats on permanent holds, Crunch was overspending on unnecessary heating and cooling, while still having to contend with keeping members comfortable in the gym.

This type of unpredictable energy spend seemed like an unavoidable cost of doing business – something that they simply weren’t able to control. Until they found David Energy.

The solution 

Better rates meet thermostat management software for a comprehensive solution

First, David Energy conducted a comprehensive bill audit and review of Crunch’s unique profile and electricity needs. Our expert team analyzed the best options in the energy market and was able to get Crunch on a new, fixed rate contract that could offer the predictability they were looking for in day to day energy expenses.

The second phase of the solution was the David Energy platform. The team integrated software that provided real-time insights into the gym's thermostats and operations, allowing for efficient management of heating and cooling systems. With the integration, the Crunch system was set up with a customized schedule and setpoints to ensure optimal performance of HVAC systems – ensuring they were operating at peak efficiency and avoiding overspend.

Finally, signing on with David unlocked one more benefit for Crunch: Access to unique incentive programs, known as demand response programs, that are often reserved for large commercial benefits. Facilitated seamlessly by the David Energy platform, Crunch would now start earning additional rewards for reducing energy consumption – all on autopilot. 

The result 

Predictability, savings, and convenience

Crunch started seeing immediate improvements from the changes implemented. Over the course of the next year, they saw: 

• $4,490 saved due to optimized thermostat settings.
• $6,610 earned from energy incentive programs.
• Total Return: $11,100.

The dual-pronged approach of pairing efficiency improvements with incentive programs allowed Crunch to nearly 2x their savings on energy than just optimizing thermostats alone. And it wasn’t just the bottom line that showed improvement: The stress, operational burden, and forecasting headaches from managing their electricity all improved significantly.

“If I don’t have to worry about something, and I know David Energy is taking care of it, that my systems are being monitored and that we're getting access to savings opportunities – that’s valuable,” said Raymond Gonzalez, COO. 

By partnering with David Energy, Crunch Fitness successfully addressed their energy challenges, achieving substantial cost savings and additional earnings – plus the additional value of smoothing operations and feeling confident they’ve made the best possible choice for their energy. As Raymond puts it: “Working with David Energy is peace of mind – knowing we’re operating as efficiently as we should be.”