Whether you own a small firm, multiple hotels, manufacturing units, or a large commercial facility, one of your biggest concern would be to save money on your energy bills. Globally, buildings consume 40% of all energy produced and account for 30% of carbon emissions. Hence, it is important to identify and take advantage of initiatives that will help you achieve energy savings in buildings with an abundance of mental peace!
One such initiative is an energy audit. An Energy Audit, or Review, is an investigation of all facets of an organization’s historical and current energy use with the target of identifying and quantifying areas of energy wastage within the organization’s activities. An Energy Audit establishes the framework for any improvement areas in an organization’s energy use and provides a systematic method for targeting cost-effective efficiency gains.
A commercial energy audit can comprise of the following assessment:
Utility bill/charges
Lighting system(s)
HVAC system(s)
Industrial/manufacturing uses
Equipment runtime/performance
Exhaust system(s)
Light/temperature sensors
Power, electric, thermal data usage analysis
Hours/times of operation
Surrounding environment/climate
Diagnostic tests (ventilation, airflow testing, building envelope, inspections, etc)
However, this is a general description of the energy audit. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has outlined three distinct levels of energy audits:
Level I: Site Assessment or Preliminary Audits: identify no-cost and low-cost energy-saving opportunities, and a general view of potential capital improvements. Activities include an assessment of energy bills and a brief site inspection of your building.
Level II: Energy Survey and Engineering Analysis Audits: identify no-cost and low-cost opportunities and also provide EEM recommendations in line with your financial plans and potential capital-intensive energy savings opportunities. Level II audits include an in-depth analysis of energy costs, energy usage, and building characteristics and a more refined survey of how energy is used in your building.
Level III: Detailed Analysis of Capital-Intensive Modification Audits (sometimes referred to as an “investment grade” audit) provides solid recommendations and financial analysis for major capital investments. In addition to Level I, and Level II activities, Level III audits include monitoring, data collection, and engineering analysis.
The digital energy auditor, like Qi Square’s Virtual Audit, will help you determine the level of audit you need after taking your project goals and available budget into consideration. This will be provided at a fraction of the cost required to hire an expert auditor and it will be also quick, holistic, and accurate.
Why do you need an energy audit?
A decrease in your energy expense: Through an extensive energy audit you can significantly lower your utility bills.
Energy-efficient building: A holistic and comprehensive energy management plan can reduce electricity costs and operational expenses, and make your building more energy-efficient.
Increases heating and cooling comfort: Since, an energy audit reveals virtual cracks in your home's ability to distribute energy -- including heated and cooled air from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems -- you can address those issues effectively and increase the occupant’s comfort of your building.
Lessens environmental impact: An energy audit can make your building more energy-efficient, which means that your home/organization has less of a negative environmental impact on the environment around you.
An energy audit can improve health and safety: Energy auditing helps in identifying and rectifying potentially dangerous problems, particularly in older buildings, auditors can detect possible health and safety risks such as carbon monoxide from improperly operating or improperly vented combustion equipment, radon leaks, and more.
In today’s highly competitive market, the dividing line between success and failure is thinner than ever. To maximize profits, you must first reduce expenditures, and the most effective way to do so is to become more energy-efficient and reducing the operational cost.
Get in touch with us to learn more about performing Virtual Energy Audit on your building and how it can save your money significantly while also saving the planet!
