Performing A Business Energy Audit

Performing a business energy audit is a relatively inexpensive process and an ideal way to implement eco-friendly company values while saving energy, cutting back on carbon dioxide emissions and creating a more comfortable work environment. Whether you are constructing a new building or remodeling an existing space, a business energy audit is a critical step in saving costs and reinforcing your company’s core values.

Business energy audits are simple to do on your own or you can hire a professional to perform your audit. Taking this on as a DYI project will require a large time commitment by you and your employees but may be well worth the cost savings of hiring a professional. Before making the decision between doing it yourself versus bringing in a pro consider the amount and type of information that need to be collected in order to do a comprehensive energy audit of your business.

Some information that is commonly required for a business energy audit includes the number of full-time and part-time employees your business has, the primary business activity such as office, restaurant, sales, retail, school, storage or grocery or convenience store, the average number of business hours of operation per day and days per week and the age of your building. An internal inspection of your building or planned construction will also be necessary. Data that will be helpful in your business energy audit are things such as average ceiling height, total square footage and the percentage that is regularly used, number of floors in the building and the percentage of exposed walls, shared walls and walls with windows.

The R-values of exterior walls, ceilings and roofs is also an important piece. The R-value measures the thermal resistance of the building. Accessing this information will require you to find out about the type of materials used in construction and their estimated heat flow resistance values.

An effective energy audit will also require you to evaluate your habits and the habits of your business’ employees. Record the type and amount of energy used in your building and the age and efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. Determine the average settings on thermostats throughout the building during hours of operation as well as any off-hours when your building is unoccupied. Other systems that should be evaluated during a business energy audit are the number, type and condition of water heating units, refrigerators and freezers, laundry equipment, microwaves, dishwashers, stoves and ovens, and interior and exterior lights.

Depending on the size and scale of your business facilities, a record the type, age and use patterns of elevators and escalators is important to your energy audit as well as information about any seasonal equipment such as dehumidifiers, irrigation systems, pools, hot tubs and any other special equipment.

If you decide to hire a professional, seek references for one that is a specialist in business energy audits. The Department of Energy recommends that a professional energy auditor performs a blower door test to determine air-tightness, a themographic scan to locate air leaks and thermal defects, and a PFT air infiltration measurement to determine long-term air leakage and energy loss.