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Why Get a Commercial Energy Audit?

How can I reduce my building's operating costs while improving its performance? A commercial building energy audit is the first step.

Building energy audits evaluate energy usage, electricity and water consumption. However, beyond simply identifying the main sources of energy use, a commercial energy audit seeks to prioritize the energy uses according to the most cost effective opportunities for energy savings. Commercial energy audits should consider not only the cost, but also the owner's time objectives for holding the property.

How does a Commercial Energy Audit work?

An energy auditor comes out to your commercial building, interviews on-site engineers and managers and inspects lighting, air conditioning, heating and ventilation equipment, controls, air compressors, water consuming equipment, and anything else that is using energy. Then an evaluation of energy conservation measures (ECMs) that could be implemented to reduce energy usage and costs in your building is provided to you. This information will include simple payback calculations associated with various energy saving techniques. In some cases, payback is almost immediate, whereas other investments may take many years to pay for themselves.

What are the Types of Commercial Energy Audits?

The American Society of Heating Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineers (ASHRAE) has developed standard energy audit levels. Primarily there are three levels of commercial energy audits, two of them conform to ASHRAE’s standards, and the third is a quick check-up for smaller businesses, or clients with a tight budget.

• Overview or Walk-Thru Audit

Overview audits are the least expensive type of commercial energy audit. They involve walking through a facility, identifying energy conservation opportunities, interviewing facility personnel, and quickly reviewing the facility's utility bills. The overview audit is fine for smaller organizations and those on a budget that want some quick tips on how they can reduce their energy usage and costs. It basically gives a road map of what to do.

• ASHRAE Level 1 – Walk Through Analysis

ASHRAE Level 1 audits are more intensive than Overview Audits and are used for for clients who are seeking LEED-EB status.

The ASHRAE Level 1 audit focuses on low-cost/no-cost energy conservation measures, and provides a list of higher cost energy conservation measures. In addition to tasks performed in the Overview Audit, in the ASHRAE Level 1 audit, we report how much in energy and energy costs can be saved from each energy conservation opportunity. We perform an energy balance, which breaks out energy usage into different end uses.

• ASHRAE Level 2 – Energy Survey and Analysis

ASHRAE Level 2 audits include a more detailed building survey, financial projections, and energy analysis than ASRHAE Level 1 audits.

Basically, ASHRAE Level 2 audits will identify all appropriate energy conservation measures for a facility, and a financial analysis will be performed based on implementation costs, operating costs, and attainable savings. You will know for each energy conservation measure, the amount to be saved, the amount the measure will cost, and the amount of time it will take for the measure to pay for itself. In addition, ASHRAE Level 2 audits will discuss any changes to operations and maintenance procedures.

ASHRAE Level 2 audits are used by clients who are seeking LEED-EB status. ASHRAE Level 2 audits are worth 2 points (LEED-EB Credit 2.1, Option B) and are sometimes selected by our clients as it is less expensive than Retro-Commissioning (LEED-EB Credit 2.1, Option A).

In addition, often times, investors will require more rigorous financial projections than ASHRAE Level 1 audits provide.

With ASHRAE Level 2 audits, we will provide realistic savings reports with regard to baseline operating costs. These reports will stress the expected return on investment, and projected savings will be presented in such a way that provides intensive detail, and instills confidence in the investor.

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