
The Green Building Matters Podcast with Charlie Cichetti Eliminating Energy Waste with Smart HVAC Optimization with Brad Pilgrim
Dec 17, 2025
45:23
π The Green Impact Report Quick take: This episode matters to green building professionals because it shines a spotlight on how grid-interactive buildings and HVAC optimization can eliminate energy waste, generate new revenue, and play a crucial role in decarbonization β right now. π· Meet Your Fellow Sustainability Champion Brad Pilgrim is the founder and CEO of Parity, a Series B company pioneering HVAC optimization and grid interactivity across North America. From his early days as a commercial carpenter to building a 100-million-square-foot energy optimization platform, Brad's entrepreneurial journey is driven by purpose, efficiency, and a deep love of the outdoors. π± Breaking Ground on Better Building In this episode, Brad Pilgrim revolutionizes traditional construction approaches: π§ Key Insight #1: Turning HVAC inefficiency into an intelligent grid asset The Challenge: Traditional HVAC systems run on outdated controls, often wasting energy with start-stop inefficiency. The Solution: Parity installs off-the-shelf hardware and proprietary software to align HVAC operations with real-time demand. ROI: Buildings slash energy waste, improve comfort, and unlock new revenue via demand response and grid participation. π§ Key Insight #2: Building the cleanest energy β by not using it at all The Challenge: The green energy conversation often ignores the carbon debt of manufacturing renewables. The Solution: Focus on energy efficiency first β reducing consumption before adding generation. ROI: Immediate carbon impact with zero added infrastructure. Efficiency is net-zero from day one. π§ Key Insight #3: Reimagining the smart grid with peer-to-peer energy flows The Challenge: The electrical grid is destabilized by EVs, data centers, and intermittent renewables. The Solution: Smart buildings that store, shift, and trade energy to balance grid load in real time. ROI: Reduced grid stress, avoided blackouts, and a resilient, decentralized energy ecosystem. π§ Sustainable Soundbite "The cleanest energy is the energy you don't use." β Brad Pilgrim β
Your Green Building Action Plan Transform your next project with these steps: This Week: Audit HVAC operations β look for inefficiencies and explore retrofit potential. This Quarter: Assess your building's grid readiness and investigate demand response programs. This Year: Implement a scalable HVAC optimization strategy that supports both decarbonization and revenue. π Connect & Learn More πΏ Access full episode resources: Green Building Matters Podcast π Read the transcript here π Connect with Brad Pilgrim: Website: https://www.paritygo.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bradpilgrim π Join the Green Building Movement: https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe π‘ Want More Green Building Insights? Get sustainability tips 2x a week. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter here: π https://www.greenbuilding.news/subscribe Green Building Matters, Inc Β© 2025 | Good Green Fun.
