No matter what kind of facility you have, an energy audit is the ideal solution to help you save energy and become cost efficient throughout your operations. That being said, the energy audit you select should be one that suits the specific needs of your building, otherwise you could end up overlooking important issues. Major energy audit decision-making factors include the size of your facility, the complexity of its layout and how adaptable or changeable the building is. Read on to discover what type of energy audit will bring the most benefits to you!
Energy Audit Levels to Identify Opportunities for Energy Savings
According to ASHRAE, that’s the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, the guidelines for types of energy audits result in three different levels. They outline these guidelines in their paper, The Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits and discuss the different levels and the kind of work that goes into each type of energy audit.
- Level I audits include a basic walk-through analysis of the facility and an energy bill analysis to determine how much energy it uses and at what standard of efficiency. Most managers who select a Level I audit are either looking to gain a “big picture” idea of what kind of savings they might be able to gain through their energy expenditures, or they are constrained by a specific budget.
- Level II audits involve a bit more- they are both an energy survey and an engineering analysis. System by system, engineers will evaluate the energy use in the building and review additional factors, such as installation, design, maintenance and operation. If a manager already knows there are improvements that need to be made to their energy systems, a Level II audit can explain exactly how to go about making those improvements. Of all the energy audits, a Level II will provide the most comprehensive results.
- Level III audits switch the focus onto future projects as well as current energy issues so that managers can come to understand how best to use their capital. With details on costs and potential savings, a manager who selects a Level III audit can decide how to go about making their facility its most energy efficient.
More Efficient Building Operation and Energy Efficiency Planning
Regardless of the type of energy audit you select, the outcome will always remain constant: you will discover new, more efficient ways to operate your facility and to plan for energy expenditures. For more information on Energy Audits, call Crockett Facilities today at 301.262.2771.
Trust Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. For All of Your Energy Audits and HVAC Preventive Maintenance Needs
CFSI is committed to helping building owners, property managers, engineers and facility professionals lower their operating expenses through energy audits, energy management services and preventive HVAC maintenance. Our trained technicians can develop strategies to help maximize HVAC performance and lower costs. For more information about energy management and HVAC services, please contact CFSI by calling 301.262.2771, email sales@crockett-facilities.com, or submit a form for a service quote. Like us on Facebook; follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+.