There are four main types of energy audits that can be conducted on a facility to assess its energy usage and efficiency opportunities:

1. Walk-through audits involve a visual inspection of the facility to identify low-cost, high returnon- investment opportunities. These audits provide a general overview of energy saving potential.
2. Preliminary audits entail a more detailed investigation of the facility’s energy systems and usage patterns. Engineering calculations are made to estimate where energy is being used and wasted. More detailed recommendations are provided.
3. Detailed audits involve comprehensive engineering analysis of the facility. All major energy systems are thoroughly evaluated and tested. Monitoring of energy consumption over time is often included. A detailed report with prioritized recommendations and potential cost and savings estimates are developed.
4. An investment-grade energy audit is the most comprehensive type of energy audit. It provides a detailed analysis of where a facility uses energy and identifies specific energy efficiency opportunities. This type of audit involves detailed on-site assessments and measurements to evaluate how energy is consumed. Engineers collect energy consumption data and analyze building operations to develop a prioritized list of potential capital improvement projects. They estimate projected energy and cost savings along with project costs and payback periods to help justify investments. The audit report serves as a roadmap for implementing energy efficiency upgrades. Organizations rely on these thorough audits when pursuing energy efficiency projects to maximize savings and ensure projects meet required return on investment thresholds.

An energy audit provides several key benefits for any organization. Conducting an audit can help lower energy expenses by identifying opportunities to cut consumption within your facility. This has the added advantage of decreasing environmental impact and pollution. Energy use assessments also bolster the reliability of supply by pinpointing ways to utilize resources more efficiently. Audits frequently uncover methods for reducing the consumption of natural resources as well as lessening damage to the environment from resource extraction activities. Finally, energy auditing supports efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions by highlighting paths toward reduced energy demand.

An energy audit can refer broadly to various types of energy assessments, ranging from a brief walkthrough of a facility to pinpoint obvious issues, to an in-depth analysis of potential energy efficiency upgrades meeting financial benchmarks. The core objective is to determine current energy usage across an organization’s operations, and identify opportunities to save energy through a feasible energy management program. The audit process can expand over different stages of an energy initiative, with each phase providing more insight into consumption habits and additional prospects to boost efficiency and subsequent savings.