Getting A Commercial Energy Audit

Reducing a building’s operating cost and improving energy efficiency mean higher profits and greater eco-friendly values for your business. Performing a commercial building energy audit is the first step in managing energy expenses and reducing carbon dioxide emissions created by your business.

Commercial energy audits evaluate energy use, electricity and water consumption. Once these main sources of energy consumption are identified, an audit will help you prioritize your commercial energy uses according to the most cost effective ways to conserve and save on energy. Commercial energy audits can be performed individually or by hiring a professional energy auditor. Costs of doing it yourself versus hiring a professional should be considered along with your intentions for the building. Some energy savings are accumulated over a period of years so the time frame you plan to hold the property will determine which recommended improvements and upgrades will pay off for you.

So how does a professional commercial energy audit work? An energy auditor will visit your building, conduct interviews with on-site employees and inspect the lighting, air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems. The auditor will also evaluate such things as thermostat settings, water use and anything else that consumes energy. Professional commercial energy auditors will use special equipment and testing to identify unseen leaks and test the insulation and building materials used in your building’s construction.

Following a thorough inspection and testing the auditor will offer recommendations that could be implemented to reduce energy usage and costs in your commercial building. This information will include simple payback calculations associated with a variety of energy conservation and energy efficiency techniques. In some cases the payback on improvements is immediate while other investments may take many years to pay for themselves.

Standard commercial energy audit levels have been established by the American Society of Heating Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineers (ASHRAE). Three levels of commercial energy audits have been developed. ASHRAE standards apply to two levels while the third level is primarily for smaller businesses or those with limited budgets. These overview or walk-through audits are inexpensive and involve a visual evaluation of the commercial facility. The auditor will offer some simply tips about how to reduce energy use and costs by identifying energy conservation opportunities, interviewing personnel and reviewing utility bills.

An ASHRAE Level 1 commercial energy audit is more comprehensive than an overview audit. This level of audit focuses on low cost or no cost energy conservation measures and supplies recommendations for higher cost tactics. This level of audit generates a report of how much in energy and energy costs can be saved through conservation and demonstrates how businesses can divide energy usage into different end uses.

The Level 2 audit includes a more detailed commercial building survey, financial projections and energy analysis. This level of audit identifies all appropriate energy conservation measures for a facility and a comparison of cost savings to implementation and operating costs. A qualified commercial auditor will be able to convey the amount saved for each energy conservation measure and the amount of time it will take for the measure to pay for itself.