Published: 15th July 2024
In this article we’re going to discuss what a commercial energy audit is, why it’s important and how to perform one within your business.
Firstly, it’s important to understand what a commercial energy audit is.
A commercial energy audit is a comprehensive assessment of the energy usage within a building, with the aim of identifying ways in which to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
Involved within the process is the evaluation of energy-consuming systems throughout a building such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), insulation, appliances and lighting. Throughout the process, the audit will provide actionable steps and recommend ways to reduce the impact on the environment and optimise energy efficiency.
There are three main types of energy audits, and each vary in scope and depth.
This is the most basic type of audit and is usually the one for companies who are just exploring the world of energy efficiency and lowering their carbon footprint. It involves visually inspecting the building and its facilities with a goal of identifying low or no cost energy-saving measures.
The next level is a more detailed assessment that involves analysing energy consumption and providing specific opportunities and measures to reduce energy consumption. This usually involves a cost analysis and any potential return on investment for the company.
A more comprehensive analysis, this type focuses on capital investment projects and offers a more in-depth look at energy saving options long-term. There is vast data collection involved, alongside both engineering and financial assessments to offer detailed projections.
Use these steps as a guide to conduct your own commercial energy audit within your building:
To begin, it is important to gather as much data as possible in regards to energy consumption records (which can usually be found on utility bills), for at least the last 12-24 months. Once you have this data, you can then determine which areas you will change, your budget and future goals for overall energy reduction.
Next, move onto the basic walk-through of your building and identify potential areas that are the easiest and most cost effective to start with. Talk things through with your staff and team to see what simple habits can be altered to further help energy reduction, such as turning off taps when not in use, turning lights or appliances off when not in use, and using less paper, instead opting for digital options when possible.
Where possible, analyse your building’s energy consumption against that of similar buildings within your industry and find out what your strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement are. It’s important to analyse finances alongside consumption to identify the potential savings and costs associated with each measure. Failing to accurately measure finances could lead to further costs later on down the line.
Once you have completed the assessment steps, it’s important to identify which measures you are going to target first. These are often things such as fixing leaks, improving insulation, upgrading to smart thermostats, installing energy-efficient lighting and renewable energy sources. Once these measures have been laid out, you can create a report detailing the findings and recommended steps for implementation. During this step, it’s important to highlight the measures and prioritise based on cost, execution and viability.
Implementing the measures will be an ongoing process and it is key to monitor how they are performing. Tracking energy usage and measuring against your original audit is the best way to ensure the figures are in fact reducing after implementing the measures outlined.
Commercial energy audits are crucial for businesses looking to reduce energy usage, lower their carbon footprint and become more sustainable for the long term. There are several benefits to conducting a commercial energy audit including a reduction in utility costs, enhanced productivity through more efficient technology, and of course, lowering the carbon footprint of your business.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can begin to become more proactive in reducing your energy consumption. If you require further advice or have any questions regarding commercial energy audits, get in touch with us today.