Understanding Commercial Energy Audits: A Comprehensive Guide for Facilities Managers

A commercial energy audit thoroughly examines a building’s energy use and efficiency. Experts analyze how a building uses energy to reveal where the facility can reduce energy usage. This audit aims to find ways to save energy and lower costs without sacrificing comfort or productivity.

Energy auditing helps facility managers by showing them where energy consumption is higher than expected. Having this knowledge will help a facility manager make informed decisions about investments in preventive maintenance processes or new equipment. 

Types of Commercial Energy Audits

An American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) energy audit is a comprehensive review that evaluates a building’s energy use and identifies opportunities to improve efficiency. Three different levels of energy audits fit varying situations. 

ASHRAE Level 1 Energy Audits

An ASHRAE Level 1 Energy Audit, also known as a preliminary energy audit, focuses on identifying a building or facility’s basic energy consumption profile. Energy auditors use this level to provide a quick analysis to show the facility how to improve energy efficiency. It suits any facility seeking insights into their energy usage without deep technical details.

ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audits

ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audits go deeper than Level 1 audits. They involve a more detailed building survey and energy use analysis. Professionals gather, analyze, and report detailed energy use data and provide recommendations for energy efficiency measures alongside a financial analysis. Going beyond a preliminary energy use analysis is recommended for larger buildings with higher energy consumption.

ASHRAE Level 3 Energy Audits

ASHRAE Level 3 Energy Audits offer the most detailed analysis. This audit level involves detailed data collection over a longer period and advanced energy simulations. It is ideal for those committed to making a capital investment in energy efficiency. Large industrial facilities or campuses with specific energy use targets can benefit the most from this audit level.

What Type of Commercial Energy Audit is Right for Your Facility?

Selecting the appropriate audit level from the 3 ASHRAE levels depends on your facility’s specific needs. Consider your facility’s specific energy savings goals. A simpler audit may suffice if the aim is to identify straightforward, quick fixes. However, a more in-depth audit will be necessary if you’re seeking more comprehensive energy efficiency improvements.

More detailed audits require a higher initial investment but can lead to greater energy savings. For this reason, a cost-benefit analysis is recommended before you opt for a higher level.

It’s also important to consider your facility’s readiness to implement the recommended measures. Facilities ready to make big changes might get more value from a detailed audit. If you cannot make significant changes, you may want to opt for a lower level.

Benefits of Conducting a Commercial Energy Audit

Identify Energy-Saving Opportunities

The clearest benefit of a commercial energy audit is that it helps managers make better decisions about improving a building’s energy efficiency. Many building managers want to take more energy-saving measures but aren’t sure where to start. The energy audit process can make the answers more apparent. 

Reduce Operational Costs

Lower utility bills help you reduce operating costs. Taking the right energy conservation measures quickly leads to significant savings on your energy bills without compromising equipment functionality.

Often, inefficient equipment produces energy waste that doesn’t go toward its key function. For example, 90% of the energy incandescent light bulbs use is given off as heat instead of light. An energy audit can reveal where your facility can reduce energy waste.

Improve Occupant Comfort

Making your building more energy efficient can have some surprising side effects. It’s easy to assume that when you reduce energy usage, it may come at the cost of comfort. However, the opposite is true. An energy audit ensures that HVAC systems work more efficiently. As a result, rooms can maintain a more consistent and comfortable temperature.

Extend Equipment Life

Energy-efficient equipment doesn’t have to work as hard. Therefore, your assets will experience less wear and tear throughout their useful lives. You can get more out of them for longer and see a higher asset value upon depreciation. 

Enhance Sustainability and Reduce Your Facility’s Carbon Footprint

Commercial buildings are under increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. Energy auditing is an effective way to uncover how much energy you use and where you can cut back.

Are Energy Audits Mandatory?

Energy audits are not universally mandatory. However, depending on local laws, energy audits might be required for commercial buildings at the point of sale, lease, or during significant renovations. Check your local regulations to determine if an energy audit is mandatory for your situation.

Selecting a Qualified Energy Auditor

When considering potential energy auditors, it’s important to ask about their specific experience with energy systems similar to yours and their familiarity with the latest energy-saving technologies and practices. Ask questions about their certification and the tools they use during audits to gain insights into their process and level of detail.

Look closely at how well they understand your specific needs and the scope of your energy systems. A detailed proposal should outline the process and how the auditor plans to identify potential savings and efficiency improvements.

Compare the depth of analysis they offer, the clarity of their energy audit report process, and how they intend to support you in implementing any recommended changes. 

Energy Audit Technologies and Tools

Using the right tools during an energy audit boosts accuracy and speed. The right tool can quickly analyze vast amounts of data to identify opportunities for energy savings. They also reduce the time needed for audits, allowing businesses to implement energy-efficient solutions sooner.

Here are some of those tools.

• Infrared scanning: It detects heat and electrical leaks in buildings, which helps identify areas that need improved insulation or conductivity.
• Data logging tools: These tools record energy usage over time so you can pinpoint high usage periods and potential savings.
• Energy monitoring systems: These systems track real-time energy consumption, which enables immediate adjustments to save energy and reduce costs.
• Energy modeling software: This software simulates energy usage in various scenarios to assist in planning efforts for more efficient energy use.

Implementing Energy Audit Recommendations

There isn’t much point in getting an energy audit if you don’t implement every recommended measure. Prioritize key energy conservation measures in this process. Look at what actions will save the most energy and money, and consider how quickly your energy conservation measures can pay off.

Developing an implementation plan and timeline is the next key step. This plan outlines which measures should be implemented first and schedules them logically. It considers the availability of resources, mitigates potential downtime, and reduces operational disruptions.

Be aware that energy efficiency projects require an upfront investment. Explore different funding options to make these projects more affordable, including loans, grants, and incentives from energy companies. Utility rebates and government incentives can also significantly reduce the initial cost.

When presenting the business case to stakeholders, focus on the benefits. Highlight the expected energy savings, cost reductions, and environmental benefits. Use clear and concise data to show how the investment will pay off over time.

Integrating Energy Audits into Your Energy Management Strategy

Energy consumption can change as your organization does. For this reason, you may want to develop a regular schedule for energy auditing. In most cases, scheduled audits aren’t required. However, it can be a way to keep your building energy efficient in the long term.

For example, ongoing commissioning ensures that building systems operate optimally over time. If that is a concern for your facility, you may want to opt for a scheduled energy audit.

A preventative maintenance plan that prioritizes energy efficiency is a great way to seamlessly integrate identified measures into your regular process. Train your maintenance staff to spot energy-wasting operational inefficiencies during their routine checks.

Easily Show Your Maintenance Team How to Reduce Your Building’s Energy Consumption

If you want to make reducing energy consumption part of your maintenance plan, clarifying what your team needs to look out for is essential. ServiceChannel’s preventive maintenance software helps you easily communicate your energy performance requirements. You can tell your employees exactly what to look for so they can help you improve energy efficiency and save money.