Energy Audit Types continued
- The basic starting point for building energy optimization
- Involves interviews with select facility staff
- A review of utility bills or other operating data
- A walkthrough of the facility
- The goal is to identify glaring areas of energy inefficiency.
- The data is compiled and used to complete a preliminary report detailing low-cost/no-cost measures and potential capital improvements for further study in subsequent audits.
This level of detail is adequate for prioritizing energy efficiency projects and to assess whether a more detailed audit is necessary.
This includes the ASHRAE Level 1 analysis, and adds:
- Detailed energy calculations and financial analysis of proposed energy efficiency measures.
- Energy consumption is broken out by end-use, identifying areas that present the greatest efficiency opportunities.
- Utility rates are analyzed to determine if there are rate change opportunities.
- Key building representatives are interviewed for insights into building operational characteristics, potential problem areas, and to define financial and non-financial goals of the audit.
This level of detail is adequate to justify project implementation.
- Engineering analysis of the potential capital-intensive projects identified in the ASHRAE Level 2 Analysis.
- More detailed field data gathering and more rigorous analysis.
- Existing utility data is supplemented with sub-metering of major energy-consuming systems and monitoring of those system’s operating characteristics.
This level of detail is typically reserved for complex commercial and industrial buildings.
