What is an Energy Audit?
An energy audit is an inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows in a system that allows you to understand how energy is used. An energy audit is conducted to seek opportunities to reduce the amount of energy inputs without negatively affecting the output.
In the case of an occupied building, reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving human comfort, health and safety are of primary concern. Beyond identifying the sources of energy use, an energy audit seeks to prioritize the energy uses according to the greatest to least cost effective opportunities for energy savings.
What types of Energy Audit surveys can EES provide?
Preliminary Audit - The preliminary audit often referred to as a simple or walk-through audit is the simplest and quickest type of audit. It consists of minimal interviews of site operational staff, review of utility bills and other operating data and a walk through the facility to identify areas of high energy use and inefficiency.
Corrective measures are briefly described, along with estimates to implement these measures, energy and cost savings as well as a simple payback calculation. Whilst the level of detail is insufficient to make a final decision to proceed with implementation of the proposed measures it does help identify and prioritise those projects that require further consideration and a more detailed energy audit.
General Audit - The general audit and often referred to as a detailed energy audit or complete site energy audit expands on the preliminary audit by collecting more detailed information about the facility operation and by performing a more detailed evaluation of energy conservation measures.
Energy costs and energy consumption from actual utility bills for a period from 12 to 36 months allows the auditor to evaluate the energy rate and energy use profiles for the facility. Interval energy meters are installed to measure energy use and to indentify periods of high energy use and waste, as well as time or seasonal variations in energy use. In depth interviews with operational and maintenance personnel are conducted, to better understand the facility, the operations and energy flows.
This type of audit indentifies all energy conservation measures within the context of the survey for implementation. A detailed report is generated detailing the financials such as implementation costs, return on investment and payback period. The report also addresses energy, cost and greenhouse gas savings as well as maintenance savings with a high degree of certainty. Sufficient detail is provided to justify project implementation.
Why use Efficient Energy Systems to conduct and Energy Audit?
Energy costs continue to increase and continue to have a negative impact of business profitability. An energy survey can result in ongoing and permanent savings.
A preliminary energy survey can be completed in less than 4 hours in most cases, yet thousands of dollars of energy and cost savings can be the result. With the majority of buildings in Australia rated between 2 and 3 NABERS Energy Stars, the potential for energy savings remains immense.
Efficient Energy Systems has been successful in indentifying energy savings for major clients such as Telstra, National Australia Bank and Centrelink and have resulted in lighting energy savings approaching 60% and with attractive payback periods.
