When the economy is down, most companies are quick to look for efficiencies, cut costs and pare down personnel. And going green - although it sounds like it could be a significant investment and may not be at the top of the agenda for small or mid-sized businesses - actually brings cost-savings and new efficiencies. And now, imagine actually "finding" new sources or "pockets" of money - sounds hard to come by, or even impossible, in tough economic times.

Not the case if you are a client of Rubicon Professional Services, a national provider of full-service consulting, engineering and construction management for mission-critical facilities such as colocation provider Telx. The Virginia-based company announced on Thursday a new service offering, Energy Management Solutions, a program designed to help save energy and reduce costs across all phases of the critical facility lifecycle.

In an interview at Telx's Customer Business Exchange in New York City with Jim Embley, CEO of Rubicon, he explained that the firm adheres to a "holistic," comprehensive energy strategy - one that actually produces "cold hard cash," according to Embley.  He went as far as producing two, $100 bills for audience members at a press conference that same day to illustrate the company's commitment to bring their customers cash.

Embley said that Rubicon is so sure of its strategy, they offer clients a three- year contract with a six-month "out" clause, which means if during that time they don't refund the client their fee, they can leave - no strings attached.

"Most people identify things that need to be done to the data center… We have actually identified pockets of money over and above the ROI and we will deliver hard cash if you implement these strategies," Embley said.

According to a recent EPA study, the 'Report to Congress on Server and Data Center Energy Efficiency' energy consumption by servers and data centers doubled in the past five years and is expected to do so again in the next five - to more than 100 billion kWh, at a cost of $7.4 billion annually.

"Energy strategy is now vital to corporate competitiveness, and we deliver cash to our critical facility clients with no required capital investment beyond existing facility assets," Embley said.

As an example, the firm handed Telx a check for $500,000 - proof that its energy saving strategies actually deliver "cold, hard cash."

Rubicon has had a long-standing partnership with Telx  and has worked closely with the company to on identify applicable energy demand response programs nationwide while also assisting in competitive bids and negotiations with qualified providers on both revenue sharing and contract terms.

"We believe Rubicon Energy Management Solutions is a game-changer within the mission critical industry and we are the first company to produce revenue from energy assets while also providing comprehensive construction management services," Embley added.

Rubicon identifies "retrofitting" opportunities, and armed with a skilled legal team, says it can pinpoint resources where firms can actually tap into rebate opportunities and get money back.

"We identify the best market for that company, in terms of rebate money… You have to go to where the money is. And because of our team of legal and financial experts and their connections, we are able to identify where the pockets of money are," Embley said.