An energy audit can help you quickly assess your building’s operating efficiency and identify potential opportunities to improve its performance.  The results allow owners, tenants, and property managers to understand current building energy usage and how it is distributed across the building’s many components. 

Energy audits can be divided into distinct levels of cost and effort. At the most basic level, an engineer will identify low- or no-cost items that can improve energy efficiency without capital expenditures. It is rare to walk through an existing building and not be able to identify a number of energy conservation opportunities (ECOs). Many of these can be accomplished just by gaining a new perspective on building operations and making minor adjustments.

More intensive energy audits will incorporate long range facility planning and capital expenditure forecasting. Coupled with an energy model, an engineer can then predict the energy savings and payback periods of each capital investment. In addition to operating cost reductions, a more energy efficient building is also much more attractive to potential buyer and tenants.

Have you experienced improved building performance following an energy audit? Share your success stories in the comments below!