Energy Auditing
What is a commercial energy audit?
A commercial energy audit is a detailed analysis of a commercial building's energy usage patterns to identify areas of energy waste or excess usage and suggest upgrades to improve energy efficiency and minimize operating costs.
What are the types of energy audits?
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The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) categorizes commercial energy audits into three levels.
- Preliminary Energy Use Analysis
- ASHRAE Level 1: Walk-through
- ASHRAE Level 2: Energy Survey and Analysis
- ASHRAE Level 3: Detailed Survey and Analysis
Energy Analysis Methodology and Energy Audit Report Features |
ASHRAE Energy Audit | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | Level 2 (GAEP) |
Level 2 (ASEAM) |
Level 3 | ||
Energy Use Analysis | Energy Star Benchmarking | x | x | x | x |
Energy Use Profile - Utility Bill Analysis, Charts, and Graphs (Energy Use Index, Energy Cost Index, similar building comparative analysis | x | x | x | x | |
energy End Use Inventory & Building Profile (Narrative description of facility; inventory of energy-using equipment/systems) | x | x | |||
Energy End Use Analysis Utilizing Building Simulation/Modeling Software (ASEAM - developed and approved by DOE) | x | x | |||
ECM Summary | Summary of Recommended Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) | x | x | x | x |
Summary Includes Basic Financial Analysis for Each ECM (Implementation cost, saving, simple payback, life cycle cost - SIR) | x | x | x | ||
Summary Includes Total Energy Savings in BTUs for Each ECM | x | ||||
Discussion of ECMs & Appendices | Narrative Description of Each ECM and Graphic Illustrations/Pictures for Most ECMs | x | x | x | x |
Table for Each ECM Providing Comprehensive Analysis of Data (Implementation cost breakdown - includes materials, labor and utility rebates, energy savings breakdown, financial analysis, environmental impact analysis) | x | x | x | ||
Additional Comments/Recommendations by Energy Auditor Regarding Issue or Conditions Observed On Site, or Measures Outside Scope of Energy Analysis | x | x | |||
Detailed Breakdowns of Acquistion and Labor Costs - Quotes from Suppliers or Contractors, and/or Accepted National Estimated (Means, National Construction Est, etc.) | x | ||||
Manufacturer's Cut Sheets for All Recommended ECMs | x | ||||
Computer Printouts of ASEAM Building Simulation/Modeling Files | x | ||||
Certification of Energy Audit by Licensed Professional Engineer | x |
How long does a commercial energy audit take?
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The time it takes to complete commercial energy audits ranges from a few hours and weeks, depending on factors like
- The size of your building or facility
- The service you choose to conduct the audit
- The level of detail you require for the report
- Overall energy consumption and complexity of the unit
- Ease of accessibility to your building and energy systems
Manual auditing methods typically take longer as they involve physical measurements and visual inspections, which could be very time and resource intensive depending on the size and complexity of your portfolio.