Energy audit

Performing an energy audit, or a baseline energy evaluation, is a crucial step to assessing and improving energy efficiency. There are many types of energy audits that can be performed ranging from general walk-through audits to more comprehensive systematic process audits analyzing one or more end uses.

Altanova follows the ASHRAE standard energy audit levels as the basis of our methodology. We primarily offer four levels of commercial energy audits, three of them conform to ASHRAE’s standards, and one is a quick check-up for smaller businesses, or clients with a tight budget.

The sections below detail the differences between the different types of energy audits we offer:

• Overview Audits

Overview audits are often referred to as “walk-through” audits, because 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 acceptable for organizations that want to know what they can do to reduce their energy usage and costs. Because of its brevity, and because expected energy savings are not converted into dollar amounts, it may not be considered sufficient for reaching conclusions about energy management. For example, if a client is going to invest $100,000 in an efficient boiler, it is important to know how much the savings will be, and to know how long it will take for the project to pay for itself. The Overview Audit will not give this information. One of the advantages of Overview Audits is that they usually identify no-cost or low-cost energy measures that can substantially reduce energy usage and costs with little effort.

ASHRAE Level 2 audits include a more detailed building survey and energy analysis than ASRHAE Level 1 audits. Level 2 audits identify all appropriate energy conservation measures for a facility, and provide a financial analysis 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, Level 2 audits identify proposed changes to operations and maintenance procedures. This level of analysis will be adequate for most buildings and measures.

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

“Detailed” audits expand upon ASHRAE Level 1 audits by providing more financial information regarding energy use based on a whole building energy model. Often, investors will require more rigorous financial projections than ASHRAE Level 1 audits provide. With ASHRAE Level 2 audits, we provide realistic savings projection with regard to baseline operating costs. These reports stress the expected return on investment and projected savings, presented in such a way that there is sufficient detail to make investment decisions.

• ASHRAE Level 3 - Investment Grade Assessment of New or Complex Technologies