When Should You Schedule an Energy Assessment for Your Building?

If you are a building owner or property manager pursuing options to lower utility expenses, improve efficiency, or adopt a sustainable approach to building management, completing an energy assessment or energy audit should be on your list of priorities.

In this article, we will discuss what an energy audit is, the benefits of doing one, and how often you should have one completed to help make your building more energy-efficient.

What is an Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a systematic review and analysis of all the energy inputs for a particular building. An energy audit helps identify areas where energy is being wasted, as well as provide recommendations to help identify how future efficiencies can be made, reducing utility bills.

An energy audit is important because it allows you to:

• Reduce operating expenses.

• Improve indoor air quality, comfort, and productivity.

• Enhance property value.

• Demonstrate environmental compliance for regulations and certifications. 

• Prepare for future energy demands

What In Included In An Energy Audit?

To start, energy audits can begin with quick visual assessments and gathering general data on energy usage. The initial intake may reveal some obvious options for improving a building's energy usage. From there, energy assessments include using technology to test a building's energy efficiency. For example, a blower door test can identify air leaks in a property.

How Often Would My Business Require Energy Audits?

Energy audits should be done every 3 to 5 years. Although you should consider an energy audit if:

• Your utility bills seem significantly higher than normal.

• You are considering a renovation or appliance change.

• Your building is more than 10 years old.

• You are trying to maintain green building certifications.

• You haven’t completed one yet.

What are Some Things to Consider When Planning an Energy Audit?

Before you book your energy audit, consider the following:

• Type of building: Residential, commercial, or industrial buildings all have different needs.

• Scope of the audit: Are you looking for a basic check, or will it be an extensive investment-grade audit?

• Budget: Make sure you include not only the audit costs but also the possible upgrades.

• Access to previous utility bills: Have at least 12 months of information available.

• Goals: Make sure you write out your clear goals, and they can either be lowering bills, reducing your carbon footprint, or improving comfort.

• Credibility of the auditor: Look at the auditor's certifications and licenses

Schedule Testing with Heat Loss Management in New Hampshire & Massachusetts

The team at Heat Loss Management provides blower door testing and energy audits for businesses and homeowners throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, as well as solutions including blown-in insulation and air barrier sealing. For more information, please contact our team.