Energy Audits - For a Better Future

1. Introduction: 

           Energy audits are completed at a residential or commercial building to determine its energy efficiency. Simply put, energy efficiency means using less energy to do the same job. The energy audits will provide us with a complete electricity consumption and energy efficiency assessment. 

We can obtain important information regarding our energy usage and Energy Star rating from the audit report. With this information, you can identify and correct any energy usage issues to cut electricity costs. It’s advisable to always undertake energy audits before implementing a renewable energy system. 

1. Its Importance: Conducting a routine energy audit ensures you’re reducing your carbon footprint and continuing to be energy efficient by continuously employing new energy conservation improvements. Here’s a quick list of why an energy audit is important:  

• An energy audit will identify energy-saving opportunities. 

• It will help you understand your energy usage and ways to use energy better. 

• An energy audit can identify safety concerns with electrical systems, wiring, and ventilation, thus making your home or business safer. 

• It will increase a home’s resale value. 

• An energy audit will help you identify how to reduce carbon monoxide production in the home or business.  

2. Types of Energy Audits : Two types of energy audits are available: a preliminary energy audit and a detailed energy audit. The type you choose will depend on your needs.  

• Preliminary energy audits : This type of audit is simply a data-gathering exercise that offers a preliminary analysis. Often the auditor will conduct this type of audit via a walk-through investigation. A professional energy auditor will utilize readily available data and limited diagnostic instruments to complete a preliminary energy audit. 

• Detailed energy audits : This type of audit is completed by a professional auditor who monitors, analyzes, and verifies energy use to establish problem areas and ways to implement energy efficiency improvements. They will present their findings and suggestions in a detailed technical report. Additionally, during a thorough energy audit, a professional energy auditor will use sophisticated instrumentation such as a flue gas analyzer, a scanner, and a flow meter.  

2. What is done during Energy Audits?

There are three parts to an energy audit: evaluation, testing, and efficiency recommendations. 

Once the audit is complete, the auditor will provide you with a report outlining energy consumption, a final energy grading, and home improvement suggestions to cut energy costs on energy bills.  

Part One: The Evaluation  

A registered energy auditor will come to your home or business and conduct a walk-through of the inside and outside to determine your energy usage and problem areas.  

While conducting their walk-through, they will analyze specific elements that contribute to your home’s or business’s overall energy efficiency.  

The auditor will analyze the heating and cooling systems, or HVAC system, and your insulation levels, including the basement and exterior attic walls. In addition, they will measure and count how many doors and windows the building has and take external measurements.  

Part Two: Airtightness And Other Tests  

The second part of an energy audit involves an airtightness test, also known as a blower door test. During this test, an energy auditor will determine how tight a building’s envelope is by checking for air leakage in a house or business. During an airtightness test, an air sealing procedure is done. The auditor will seal the front door of the building, and they will place a large fan inside.  

The testing fan will pull the interior air outside the building, which will force outside air to come through any cracks or holes. Often, these air leaks are easily felt with your hand, but most auditors will use feathers or incense to accurately determine where the cracks are located.  

In addition to the airtightness test, an energy auditor will assess your business or home’s energy use by conducting a thermographic scan. Moreover, they will use various energy usage equipment items to measure energy consumption, such as infrared cameras, surface thermometers, and furnace efficiency meters.  

Finally, the auditor will analyze past utility bills.  

Part Three: Recommendations to Improve Energy Efficiency 

Once your residential or commercial building has been evaluated and testing has been completed, the energy auditor will provide you with a thorough list of recommendations regarding energy efficiency improvements you can undertake. If implemented, most of the recommendations will help you save money on utility bills.