The Main Types of Industrial Energy Audits

An energy audit is usually conducted with a defined audit scope in mind. The process typically involves systematically analyzing energy consumption and use. The process ends with identifying, quantifying and reporting potential areas to improve energy efficiency and performance.

A good industrial energy audit is instrumental in primarily reigning in utility bills. There are three main types of energy audits which are worth looking into. Level 1: Walk-through

This energy audit is typically performed on small buildings which have minimal potential for savings. The audit includes identifying energy efficiency measures and requires little engineering time and is relatively low cost to produce the report. The estimated costs and savings attributed to each measure are typically rough estimates. The report will largely comprise of no-cost and low-cost measures although there might be capital measures if any were identified during the audit. The report also includes estimated savings in relation to rate change, utility data summary, targeting, benchmarking and calculated energy use index.

Level 2: Energy Survey and Analysis

A quality report in this case requires forethought and proficiency in energy audit. This audit is typically recommended for larger buildings and strikes the balance between a cost effective audit and engineering rigor. The audit takes into account the entire facility including energy balance, equipment inventory, detailed energy costs and savings for each measure, a financial analysis of each suggested measure, detailed costs and savings for each no-cost and low-cost measure and verification plan for each suggested measure. The recommendations help with significant industrial efficiency leading to lower utilities and cost savings.

Level 3: Detailed Survey and Analysis

This audit is recommended for situations where risk cannot be tolerated. It is a good investment for expansive capital projects and additional engineering rigor. Trend logs are common place in the audit and show how the building or facility responds to changes in occupancy and ambient conditions. The report includes detailed costing estimates, hourly calculations for HVAC via simulations and detailed life cycle cost calculations. The main goal for this audit is to equip contractors with all they information they need when installing the recommended measures. This may be a good audit if you are looking into energy upgrade California rebates or other such rebates and advantages. The scope of work involved in a level 3 audit means you need a professional and certified auditor well versed and experienced with this kind of work.

All of these audits require a site visit where the auditor asses the energy consuming equipment and entire building. You can also expect a calculation of energy use intensity, utility bill data summary and benchmarking. It is worth checking with the auditor if he has experience with the type of audit you are procuring and has audited facilities similar to yours in the past.

If any of your customers are included with human services, you know how exceedingly controlled the field is.