Business Details
28 Years
experience
Trusted Energy Efficiency Solutions in San Antonio
Cost Containment Engineering is a San Antonio, Texas-based engineering and consulting firm dedicated to reducing water and energy consumption for industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental clients. Founded in 1998, our team of licensed professional engineers specializes in energy efficiency improvements, utility audits, and sales tax exemption certifications. We leverage over two decades of experience to deliver cost-effective solutions, including Predominant Use Studies for Texas energy tax exemptions and ENERGY STAR certifications. Our services are supported by a network of specialized subcontractors for large-scale projects, ensuring compliance with state regulations and defensible documentation for tax audits.We prioritize ethical practices, professional liability insurance, and client-centric project management to achieve measurable utility cost reductions. Our expertise extends to water conservation, energy audits, and small-scale construction project management, serving diverse sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, education, and agriculture. By combining technical proficiency with a commitment to sustainability, we help clients optimize resource use while enhancing operational efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Services
Predominant Use Studies
Energy Star Certifications
Water Audits
Energy Audits
Project Management
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in energy efficiency engineering.
- Our team includes licensed professional engineers with specialized expertise.
- Competitive pricing with fixed-cost project proposals.
- We defend our studies during tax audits to ensure compliance.
- Carry comprehensive liability and insurance coverage for client protection.
Associations and certifications
- Texas Board of Professional Engineers
Services
Predominant Use Studies
Predominant Use Studies determine eligibility for Texas sales tax exemptions on electricity and natural gas. We analyze utility meter usage to certify that over 50% of energy consumption supports tax-exempt operations. Our engineers prepare defensible documentation for tax audits, ensuring compliance with Texas Comptroller Rule 3.295 while identifying energy efficiency opportunities.
Energy Star Certifications
We certify commercial and governmental buildings for ENERGY STAR labels by benchmarking energy performance against national standards. Our engineers identify cost-effective improvements to achieve ratings above 75, qualifying facilities for recognition and potential tax credits while reducing annual utility costs by 20-30%.
Water Audits
Our water audits identify efficiency improvements for commercial clients, reducing water and sewer costs. We design conservation strategies tailored to facilities like apartment complexes, schools, and industrial plants, focusing on measurable savings and sustainable resource management through system-specific recommendations.
Energy Audits
Energy audits assess consumption patterns in facilities to recommend efficiency upgrades. We use ENERGY STAR tools to evaluate electricity and natural gas usage, targeting cost-effective measures that improve operational efficiency and qualify for tax incentives across sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and education.
Project Management
We manage small-scale construction projects up to $2 million, ensuring compliance with engineering standards and client objectives. Our team coordinates subcontractors for complex initiatives, maintaining quality control and budget adherence while delivering energy-efficient infrastructure improvements for commercial and industrial clients.
People
David Frashier
Principal / Co-Owner
Co-founded the company in 1998 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Texas Tech University. Licensed professional engineer specializing in energy efficiency and tax exemption studies for over 20 years.
Victor Castillo
Principal / Co-Owner
Joined in 2023 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M-Kingsville and a Master's in Natural Gas Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Licensed professional engineer focused on energy conservation and utility optimization.
Questions
What services does Cost Containment Engineering offer?
We specialize in Predominant Use Studies for energy tax exemptions, ENERGY STAR certifications, water and energy audits, and project management for efficiency improvements in Texas.
How can a Predominant Use Study benefit my business?
It qualifies eligible Texas facilities for 6.25-8.25% sales tax exemptions on electricity and natural gas bills, with potential retroactive refunds up to four years.
What industries do you serve?
We work with manufacturing plants, healthcare facilities, schools, apartment complexes, agricultural operations, and government buildings across Texas.
Are your engineers licensed and insured?
Yes, our team includes Texas-licensed professional engineers with liability, workers' compensation, and auto insurance coverage for client protection.
How are study costs determined?
Costs depend on facility size and complexity but are typically proportional to one month's electric bill, with competitive fixed pricing offered for transparency.
Can you help with Energy Star labeling?
We conduct energy performance assessments, certify qualifying buildings, and implement efficiency measures to achieve ENERGY STAR ratings above 75 for recognition.
