Energy audits

Energy audits are the first step in understanding how energy is utilised within an organisation, and in establishing an energy management policy.

An energy audit assesses which forms of energy are used, quantifies the amount of energy used for each specific application, and identifies areas of inefficient/wasteful energy use and potential for energy savings.

Typically, an audit starts with a preliminary inspection and checklist to make an initial assessment, followed by more detailed data collection. This is done by installing meters to collect data on the energy consumption of specific applications in real-time.

Measures with the potential to save energy are identified and the potential savings estimated. Recommendations are then made as to which measures should be implemented first, and which long-term measures are best suited to the situation at hand, as well as how to best implement an energy management policy and what this should look like.

Main steps of an energy audit.

When performing an energy audit, items to be assessed include:

• Air-conditioning systems.
• Building features and structure materials – windows, orientation, insulation.
• Lighting systems.
• Refrigeration systems.
• Industrial processes.
• Heat-generating equipment (e.g. boilers).
• Compressed air equipment.
• Renewable energy equipment.

Energy audits be performed by internal staff with the relevant qualifications, but the job of energy auditor has been professionalised in many countries.