What are the most important considerations when conducting an energy audit on a small business?

1 Define the scope and goals

Before starting an energy audit, you need to define the scope and goals of your project. The scope determines what aspects of your business you want to analyze, such as the building envelope, the lighting system, the heating and cooling system, the appliances, the equipment, and the behavior of the occupants. The goals define what you want to achieve from the audit, such as reducing your energy consumption, improving your comfort, or complying with certain regulations. You should also consider your budget, your timeline, and your available resources when defining the scope and goals of your energy audit.

2 Choose the appropriate method

Conducting an energy audit can take various forms, depending on the level of detail and accuracy needed. A walk-through audit is a simple and quick method that involves visually inspecting the building and its energy systems, collecting basic data, and identifying potential issues or opportunities for improvement. This is ideal for preliminary assessments or businesses with limited resources or time. A general audit is more comprehensive and detailed, involving measuring and analyzing energy consumption and performance, interviewing staff and occupants, reviewing bills and documents, and developing an energy balance and baseline. Investment-grade audits are the most rigorous and accurate form of energy audit, incorporating a detailed engineering and economic analysis of proposed energy efficiency measures, including their costs, benefits, payback periods, and return on investment. This method also produces a detailed report and action plan with recommendations. Investment-grade audits are suitable for businesses wanting to implement large-scale or complex energy efficiency projects that require significant investments or financing.

3 Collect and analyze the data

Once you have chosen the method of your energy audit, you need to collect and analyze the data that will help you understand your energy consumption and performance. You should gather information from utility bills, building characteristics, energy systems, and energy consumption and performance sources. Utility bills provide data on monthly and annual energy consumption and costs, as well as peak demand and load factor. Building characteristics include information on size, shape, layout, orientation, age, construction, insulation, windows, doors, roof of your building as well as occupancy, schedule, and activities of your business. Energy systems data includes type, capacity, efficiency, condition, maintenance, and controls of lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, water heating, refrigeration and other energy-using equipment and appliances. Energy consumption and performance data includes actual energy consumption and performance of your building and its systems measured by tools such as meters, sensors thermographs and software. Additionally you should collect information on indoor/outdoor temperature/humidity/air quality/comfort levels. After collecting the data you should use tools such as spreadsheets/graphs/charts/software to organize/visualize/interpret it. You should also compare your data with benchmarks/standards/best practices in your industry/region to identify patterns/trends/anomalies/opportunities for improvement.

4 Identify and evaluate the opportunities

Data analysis should be used to identify and evaluate opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. Consider both technical and behavioral opportunities, such as upgrading or installing energy-efficient equipment, appliances, or devices, improving insulation, sealing, and ventilation of the building envelope, or changing the habits, practices, or policies of staff and occupants. Evaluate the opportunities based on their feasibility, impact, and cost-effectiveness; estimate energy savings, environmental benefits, initial costs, operating costs, payback periods, and return on investment. Moreover, take into account any technical, financial, organizational, or social barriers that might affect implementation.

5 Communicate and implement the results

After identifying and evaluating the opportunities, you should communicate and implement the results of your energy audit. You should prepare a clear and concise report that summarizes your findings, recommendations, and action plan. You should also present your report to the relevant stakeholders, such as the management, the staff, the occupants, the customers, or the investors. You should explain the benefits and the costs of the proposed energy efficiency measures, as well as the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the implementation process. You should also solicit feedback and suggestions from the stakeholders, and address any questions or concerns they might have.

To implement the results of your energy audit, you should prioritize and schedule the energy efficiency measures according to your goals, budget, and timeline. You should also monitor and measure the performance and the outcomes of the measures, using tools such as meters, sensors, software, or surveys. You should also document and report the progress and the results of the implementation, and celebrate and reward the achievements and the improvements. You should also review and update your energy audit periodically, to account for any changes in your business or in the energy market.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?