What can a commercial building energy audit tell you about your building’s energy usage? Let’s find out. 

What Is a Commercial Energy Audit 

A commercial energy audit is an in-depth analysis of a building’s energy consumption levels and patterns. It provides insights into energy costs and can inform sustainable measures to reduce energy usage and increase energy savings. 

Certified energy auditors perform these analyses. Each audit is typically an initial step toward making facilities more energy efficient. Third-party financiers often require energy audits before loaning money, so they can be critical to basic business operations. These audits are also key to seeking utility incentives and incorporating specialized building certification programs, such as the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.  

The USGBC LEED is a framework that addresses energy and water consumption, material use, waste management, and indoor environmental quality. Green buildings can earn an LEED certification (40–19 points), a Silver rating (50–59), a Gold rating (60–79), or a Platinum rating (80 and above). 

Energy market intelligence gathering can complement a commercial energy audit. Comprehensive data collection and aggregation help you understand how much energy your building or buildings consume, when they consume the most energy, and how that usage compares to others.  

The Benefits of Commercial Energy Audits 

There are myriad potential benefits to a commercial energy audit. These include: 

Decreased Utility Consumption 

Maybe a commercial building energy audit will tell you your building already has optimal energy use. That would be great. However, the real benefits come when you find your energy consumption is less than optimal.  

In this scenario, you can discover where you can make changes to save energy. This might include introducing energy efficiency upgrades or adjusting energy management practices. Either way, you can take the information the energy auditor gives you and use it to reduce your consumption. 

Decreased Utility Costs 

Decreased utility consumption comes with decreased utility costs. Employing any recommended energy efficiency measures can decrease how much you spend on utility bills. This might include implementing water heating upgrades, using energy-efficient lighting, or simply shifting the times those in the building perform certain energy-intensive tasks to off-peak hours. 

Greater Knowledge of Utility Operations 

After going through the commercial energy audit process, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how utility companies operate and how your building and others like it use energy. This can help you optimize energy performance and refine your energy budgeting.  

Potential Higher Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Rating 

A high ESG rating can attract more investors and customers. 

Higher Tenant Satisfaction 

Optimizing energy consumption can help tenants save on their operational costs. This can encourage tenants to re-sign commercial leases and attract new ones. 

Increased Property Value 

An energy-efficient building can increase the overall value of the property on which it sits. 

Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

Lower energy use means fewer greenhouse gas emissions. A commercial energy audit can also help with energy conservation by reducing energy waste. 

Support for Renewable Energy 

Energy auditors may point out how commercial buildings can procure energy from renewable sources. This can save them money and help fight climate change. 

3 Types of Energy Audits 

There are three types of commercial energy audits. These vary in their level of detail and are suitable for different goals. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) outlines these different levels as: 

• ASHRAE Level 1: Walk-Through Analysis. 

• ASHRAE Level 2: Energy Survey and Analysis. 

• ASHRAE Level 3: Analysis of Capital-Intensive Modifications. 

Step-by-Step Energy Audit Process 

The typical commercial energy audit consists of the following steps: 

1. On-site survey. 

2. Utility bill analysis. 

3. Inspection and diagnostic testing. 

4. Recommendations. 

Partnering with an energy consultant can help building owners understand their energy audit and discover the best steps to take to boost efficiency. 

Commercial Energy Audit FAQs 

Here are some frequently asked questions about energy audits: 

How Much Do Commercial Energy Audits Cost? 

There is no universal cost. Typically, the higher the ASHRAE audit level and the larger the facility, the greater the price of the energy audit. However, many commercial buildings make this money back by altering their energy systems and management to lower their energy bill. 

How Long Does a Commercial Energy Audit Usually Take? 

The length of an energy audit largely depends on the same factors that affect cost. 

How Much Does Occupant Behavior Affect Energy Efficiency? 

Depending on the type of commercial building, occupant behavior can have a huge effect on energy cost and efficiency. Commercial landlords can communicate what they’ve learned from the detailed analysis to unlock energy savings for their tenants. 

EnerConnex Can Help with Commercial Energy Auditing 

Reach out to EnerConnex for commercial energy solutions.