Commercial Energy Audits

Features

For commercial buildings, the energy audit serves as an essential starting point for increasing building performance and increased energy efficiency. Many buildings waste significant amounts of energy, and the benefits of doing an energy audit can be substantial energy cost savings. Audits let you know where you are today, and what you can do to realize a better tomorrow. A professional energy audit will point the way to reduce your energy costs by a possible 10% to 40% . The objectives of an energy analysis or audit are to identify and develop modifications that will reduce the energy use and/or cost of operating a building. The results will be presented in a format that will provide the information needed by an owner or operator to decide if any, some, or all of the recommended modifications should be implemented.

An energy analysis includes the following steps:

1. Collect and analyze historical energy use.

2. Study the building and its operational characteristics.

3. Identify potential modifications that will reduce the energy use and/or cost.

4. Perform an economic analysis of potential modifications.

5. Prepare a rank-ordered list of appropriate modifications.

6. Prepare a report to document the analysis process and results.

Commercial Energy Audit Level 1- Walk-Through

Assess a building’s energy efficiency by conducting a “Waste Walk” and an on-site survey of the building (interior and exterior), a review of lighting and HVAC components, and a comprehensive thermal scan to determine thermal boundary deficiencies and undersigned air infiltration pathways. A Level 1 energy audit will identify and provide savings opportunities and recommendations of low-cost/no-cost measures.

Commercial Energy Audit Level 2 - Energy Survey and Analysis

 This includes a Level 1 Audit plus a more detailed building survey and energy efficiency study of capital intensive components through a more thorough data collection and  analysis in order to determine potential costs and savings on improvements. Additionally, a Level 2 energy analysis will provide a breakdown of the energy use within the building and will identify and provide the savings and cost analysis of all practical measures that meet the owner’s constraints and economic criteria, along with a discussion of any changes to operation and maintenance procedures.

The key elements of a commercial building energy audit/analysis are as follows:

1. Analysis of three or more years of utility consumption and cost, review of building plans, and a walk-through of the building itself to establish: ♦ The type of building and its principal use, and actual area (ft2) of space that is used. ♦ The breakdown of various spaces within the building by function, hours of use, and area. ♦ If efficiency may be affected by building functions that differ from the original functional intent of the building. ♦ If any maintenance problems or practices may affect efficiency.

2. Description and analysis of the energy-using systems of the building, resulting from on-site observation, measurement, and calculations of the following: ♦ Building Hot Water Systems ♦ HVAC & Controls ♦ Process Systems ♦ Envelope ♦ Lighting ♦ Laundry ♦ Common Areas ♦ Utility Providers & Rates

 3. Provide an understandable analysis of findings and observations that will show:

♦ Breakdown of the components of annual energy use and cost.

♦ Recommended energy conservation measures, including predicted savings and cost to implement.

♦ A description of repairs that are needed in order for energy conservation measures to be effective.

♦ A description of measurement & verification methods needed to determine effectiveness of measures.

♦ Energy analysis summary that includes, present energy use and cost, ultimate target for energy use and cost, savings from recommended measures, and comparison of current recommendations to ultimate target.