Energy Audit Explained
July 10, 2012
Yvette Batts
What exactly is an Energy Audit? Why do I need one? How much does it
cost? Unfortunately many think an Energy Audit is another piece of
expensive paperwork required to access low interest energy loans. An
Energy Audit is and can be much more.
An Energy Audit is an assessment of the energy usage at a facility. It
includes an analysis of cost-effective opportunities to reduce energy
usage, energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. It can actually add
immediate value to an organisation by identifying simple no-cost and low
cost measures for energy conservation (EC) and cost reduction. These
include Energy Management practices, tariffs, operations improvement,
and culture. Our experience is that EC can result in as much as 12%
savings, sometimes more. As such EC measures may provide immediate
payback for the cost of the energy audit.
The Energy Audit can also go on to identify additional energy efficiency
(EE) measures that require investments, such as equipment retrofits,
upgrades, re-tooling and process improvement to further reduce
consumption. Investments can also include renewable energy (RE)
solutions, appropriately sized for the reduced energy footprint
resulting from energy conservation and energy efficiency. The result is
a package of energy saving measures that meet the financial criteria for
investment as specified by the customer and that can form the basis of
an Energy Strategy and Action Plan.
In short an Energy Audit facilitates improved energy productivity,
particularly important in an economic climate where cost control and
competitiveness are essential for survival.
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