After benchmarking energy usage, conducting an energy audit is often the first step that an owner/operator takes to sketch a roadmap to improve building performance. Energy audits are assessments that identify energy-saving opportunities in a building. The main outcome of an energy audit is a list of recommended energy efficiency measures (EEMs), their associated energy savings potential, and an assessment of whether EEM installation costs are a cost-effective financial investment for a building owner.
In response to a need for an industry standard, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) developed guidelines for three levels of audits for commercial buildings. As audit complexity increases, so does the thoroughness of the site assessment, the amount of data collected, and the level of detail provided in the final audit report. More comprehensive and rigorous audits often translate into higher energy savings and related emissions reductions.
ASHRAE Level I Audit- Basic walkthrough (sometimes virtual)
- Review and analysis of utility bills
- Calculation of energy use intensity (EUI)
- Report with list of no-cost/low-cost EEMs
- List of EEMs for future consideration
| ASHRAE Level II Audit- All items from Level I
- More detailed analysis of building systems and components
- Financial analysis of EEMs
- Energy analysis calculations
- Measurement and verification plan for verifying energy savings
| ASHRAE Level III
(“Investment Grade”) Audit - All items from Level I & II
- Highly detailed financial evaluation
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Each building is unique, and therefore the owner/operator will need to determine which type of audit is best-suited for their building. A rightly sized energy audit will provide the right balance between energy audit cost and value of the audit. Level II and III audits are more expensive, but are good options if an owner has defined energy goals, or plans for a major renovation or equipment upgrade. These audits should include a preliminary feasibility study (often provided by potential energy auditors free of charge) to scope the energy saving opportunities and ensure that the cost of the energy audit is worth the savings payoff.
Funding Energy Audits in Maryland:
Commercial:
- Operations & maintenance budget: In some cases the cost of an energy audit can be seen as a temporary investment rather than a cost, due to the payback from implementing recommended no-cost or low-cost energy savings measures.
- Energy savings performance contracting (ESPCs): As part of an ESPC, an energy services company will finance and manage an investment grade audit.
- Montgomery County Green Bank Technical Assistance Program: Subsidizes the cost of Level I, II, and III audits.
- EmPOWER Maryland: Participating utilities may offer incentives for audits.
Baltimore Gas & Electric: Non-residential buildings 35,000 square feet and larger located in the BG&E service territory are eligible for the Building Tune-up Program, which subsidizes the costs of ASHRAE Level II audits.
Potomac Edison: Non-residential buildings located in Potomac Edison’s service territory are eligible for the Building Tune-up Program, which subsidizes the cost of an energy assessment (similar to a Level 1/2 audit).
Residential:
Commercial Audit Resources:
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Audit Scope of Work Template: DOE’s Better Buildings Initiative has created this package of materials to be used by building owners and operators to develop a scope of work for a building-level GHG Emissions Reduction Audit for operational Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. The aim of the scope of work template is to achieve building-level solutions that will reduce operational emissions.
- Facility Energy Decision System (FEDS): FEDS is a tool that can help owners identify the buildings to prioritize in a portfolio or on a campus. FEDS is free for state-owned facilities. Commercial building owners can use FEDS for a fee.
Residential Audit Resources:
