Data as of Aug 25, 2026 · Based on 314 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
Brands AI recommends here
Named in 56% of answers
Named in 31% of answers
Named in 22% of answers
Named in 14% of answers
Source | Citation share |
|---|---|
 Commercial Building Energy Audit Guide 2025 - Rimkushttps://rimkus.com/article/commercial-building-energy-audit/ | 8.6% |
 How to Conduct a Commercial Building Energy Audit: Step-by-Step Guidehttps://enercon.id/blog/commercial-building-energy-audit/ | 7.0% |
 Guide to Energy Audits - Bluerithmhttps://bluerithm.com/guide-to-energy-audits/ | 4.4% |
 How to Conduct a Commercial Energy Audit? An Actionable Guidehttps://facilio.com/blog/commercial-energy-audit/ | 4.1% |
 A step-by-step guide to commercial energy audits: best practices and insightshttps://www.linkedin.com/pulse/step-by-step-guide-commercial-energy-audits-best-practices-massey-wlpte | 3.7% |
 Understanding Commercial Energy Audits: A Comprehensive Guide for Facilities Managers | ServiceChannelhttps://servicechannel.com/blog/commercial-energy-audits/ | 2.8% |
 How to conduct an energy audit of a building | Kionahttps://kiona.com/story/blog/how-to-conduct-an-energy-audit-of-a-building | 2.8% |
 A step-by-step guide to commercial energy audits: best practices and insights - MRI Software | AEhttps://www.mrisoftware.com/ae/blog/a-step-by-step-guide-to-commercial-energy-audits-best-practices-and-insights/ | 2.6% |
Commercial Energy Audit Guide 2026: Cut Costs & Boost ROIhttps://rimkus.com/article/commercial-energy-audit/ | 2.3% |
 Facility Energy Audit Guide: Levels, Data & Outputshttps://www.glocertinternational.com/resources/guides/facility-energy-audit-guide/ | 1.5% |
A commercial-building energy audit is essentially a **structured investigation of where energy is going, why it is being used, and which changes will reduce cost without compromising comfort, safety, or operations**. For a Facilities Manager, I’d use an **ASHRAE-style process**, starting inexpensive and getting more…
A commercial-building energy audit is essentially a structured investigation of where energy is going, why it is being used, and which changes will reduce cost without compromising comfort, safety, or operations.
For a Facilities Manager, I’d use an ASHRAE-style process, starting inexpensive and getting more detailed only where the savings justify it. ASHRAE distinguishes Level 1 (walk-through), Level 2 (energy survey/engineering analysis), and Level 3 (detailed analysis of capital-intensive measures).
Start with 12–36 months of utility data, if available.
Collect:
Calculate:
Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
EUI = annual energy consumption ÷ conditioned floor area Also calculate annual energy cost per square foot.
Then benchmark the building using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. It can compare the building against similar buildings and establish a baseline for tracking improvements.
Plot monthly consumption and cost. Ask:
These patterns often reveal problems before you even enter the building.
Walk the entire facility with the building operator/maintenance staff, rather than simply inspecting equipment yourself. The operator knows how the building actually operates.
Inspect:
HVAC is usually one of the first places I'd investigate, but don't assume it's automatically the biggest consumer.
Check:
Look for areas that are illuminated when nobody is there.
Inspect:
Inventory significant loads such as:
Don't overlook equipment that operates 24/7.
Check:
Create an approximate energy-use breakdown:
| System | Estimated share | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC | — | Is it operating when needed—and only when needed? |
| Lighting | — | Can controls reduce runtime? |
| Plug loads | — | What's running continuously? |
| DHW | — | Is heating/recirculation excessive? |
| Refrigeration/process | — | Are there major continuous loads? |
| Other | — | What unexplained loads remain? |
You don't need perfect numbers initially. The purpose is to determine where to spend your investigation time.
For a more detailed Level 2 audit, use submetering, equipment measurements, operating data, and engineering calculations to develop a more defensible breakdown. ASHRAE describes Level 2 as including a detailed building survey, energy-use breakdown, and savings/cost analysis of practical efficiency measures.
This is where an audit becomes much more useful.
Depending on the building, temporarily measure:
Trend the BAS data if available.
For example, a 100-ton chiller that looks efficient isn't necessarily saving money if it's running unnecessarily at night.
Likewise, a building may have efficient LED lighting but still waste significant electricity because the lights operate 18 hours/day instead of 10.
This is one of the highest-value parts of the audit.
Look for:
Operational waste can often be corrected with little or no capital expenditure.
ASHRAE's guidance specifically identifies low- and no-cost measures as an important output of the initial walk-through audit.
A common mistake is to focus exclusively on kWh.
For commercial electricity customers, examine:
Energy charge: $/kWh
Demand charge: $/kW
Time-of-use charges: Different prices during different hours
A building could reduce its electricity consumption only modestly but substantially reduce its bill by controlling its peak demand.
Look at the monthly peak-demand history and determine what equipment was operating when that peak occurred.
Potential strategies include:
Also ask the utility whether the facility is on the most appropriate rate and whether rebates or incentive programs are available.
Turn observations into specific projects.
For each measure, document:
For example:
| Measure | Cost | Savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correct HVAC schedules | $ | $$$ | Months |
| Occupancy sensors | ∣ | 1–3 yrs | |
| LED conversion | $$$ | $$$ | 2–5 yrs |
| VFD installation | $$$ | –$$$ | 2–6 yrs |
| Chiller replacement | $$$$$ | $$$$ | 5–10+ yrs |
These are illustrative categories, not universal paybacks—the actual economics should be calculated from your building's data.
I would divide the findings into four buckets:
Low/no-cost operational corrections.
Examples:
Usually relatively inexpensive.
Examples:
Examples:
Examples:
This prevents a common mistake: spending millions on new equipment before fixing a $0-cost scheduling problem.
The audit shouldn't end with a report sitting on someone's desk.
Create an action register:
| Priority | Measure | Owner | Cost | Savings | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Correct AHU schedules | HVAC Manager | $ | $XX,XXX/yr | 30 days | Open |
| 2 | Repair economizer | Contractor | $$ | $XX,XXX/yr | 60 days | Open |
| 3 | LED retrofit | Electrical | $$$ | $XX,XXX/yr | Q2 | Open |
Then assign someone responsible for every measure.
This is crucial.
After implementing measures, continue monitoring:
Compare performance against the baseline while accounting for factors such as weather and occupancy.
ENERGY STAR specifically recommends continued benchmarking so managers can verify savings and detect "snapback"—where energy use rises again after an improvement.
If you're starting tomorrow, I'd do it in this order:
Week 1 — Data
Week 2 — Building 6. Walk the building with maintenance staff. 7. Inventory major energy-consuming equipment. 8. Review BAS schedules and alarms. 9. Check HVAC, lighting, envelope, DHW and plug/process loads. 10. Identify obvious after-hours consumption.
Weeks 3–4 — Measure 11. Submeter or temporarily meter major loads where necessary. 12. Trend HVAC operation. 13. Verify equipment efficiencies and operating conditions. 14. Investigate the largest unexplained loads. 15. Analyze the electric tariff/demand charges.
Then — Act 16. Calculate ECM savings and costs. 17. Implement no/low-cost measures first. 18. Develop capital projects with payback/ROI. 19. Apply for applicable utility incentives. 20. Track actual savings monthly.
If the bills are dramatically higher than expected, don't automatically conclude that the building is inefficient. First determine whether the problem is energy consumption, energy price, or demand charges.
For example:
Same kWh + much higher bill = investigate rates/demand/pricing. Much higher kWh + same operating conditions = investigate equipment/controls. Higher kWh + higher occupancy/hours = normalize the comparison. That distinction can save a Facilities Manager from pursuing a costly equipment replacement when the real problem is a utility rate or operating schedule.
For a formal audit, I'd use the current ASHRAE commercial-building audit framework rather than an informal checklist; ASHRAE describes the audit process and reporting expectations, while DOE and ENERGY STAR provide useful benchmarking and performance-management resources.
These are illustrative categories, not universal paybacks—the actual economics should be calculated from your building's data.
I would divide the findings into four buckets:
Low/no-cost operational corrections.
Examples:
Usually relatively inexpensive.
Examples:
Examples:
Examples:
This prevents a common mistake: spending millions on new equipment before fixing a $0-cost scheduling problem.
The audit shouldn't end with a report sitting on someone's desk.
Create an action register:
Conducting a commercial energy audit follows standard frameworks like those outlined in the [ASHRAE Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits](https://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/bookstore/procedures-for-commercial-building-energy-audits) . As a Facilities Manager (FM), you can structure the audit into a…
Conducting a commercial energy audit follows standard frameworks like those outlined in the ASHRAE Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits . As a Facilities Manager (FM), you can structure the audit into a clear, phased process to identify operational waste and capital upgrade opportunities.
Phase 1: Data Gathering and Benchmarking (Pre-Audit)
Phase 2: Choose the Audit Level (ASHRAE Standards)
Determine how deep you need to go based on budget and goals:
Phase 3: The On-Site Investigation
Phase 4: Analyze and Prioritize (The Report)
- *No-cost/Low-cost* : Adjusting setpoints, fixing leaky valves, tightening scheduling.
- *Retro-commissioning (RCx)* : Tuning up existing Building Automation System (BAS) sequences.
- *Capital retrofits* : Upgrading to high-efficiency boilers, variable frequency drives (V F D s cap V cap F cap D s𝑉𝐹𝐷𝑠), or LED retrofits.
Phase 5: Implementation and Verification
If you want to tailor this further, tell me:
I can help you focus on the quickest payback opportunities for your specific setup.
Conducting a commercial energy audit is the most effective way to identify inefficiencies and cut operating costs. Facilities managers typically follow a phased approach, scaled from a quick walkthrough to an investment-grade engineering analysis (often aligned with **ASHRAE** standards). Here is how a facilities…
Conducting a commercial energy audit is the most effective way to identify inefficiencies and cut operating costs. Facilities managers typically follow a phased approach, scaled from a quick walkthrough to an investment-grade engineering analysis (often aligned with ASHRAE standards).
Here is how a facilities manager systematically conducts a commercial energy audit:
Would you like me to dive deeper into:
No sources cited
A commercial-building energy audit is essentially a **structured investigation of where energy is being used, why it is being used, and which changes will reduce consumption without compromising occupant comfort, safety, or operations**. For a Facilities Manager, I would approach it as a staged process rather than…
A commercial-building energy audit is essentially a structured investigation of where energy is being used, why it is being used, and which changes will reduce consumption without compromising occupant comfort, safety, or operations.
For a Facilities Manager, I would approach it as a staged process rather than immediately hiring someone to inspect every piece of equipment. ASHRAE recognizes three primary audit levels: Level 1 (walk-through), Level 2 (energy survey and analysis), and Level 3 (detailed analysis of capital-intensive modifications).
Start by gathering 12–36 months of utility and operating data if available.
Collect:
ASHRAE recommends reviewing more than one year of utility history, preferably three years, and examining monthly patterns and rate structures.
A basic metric is:
EUI = annual energy consumption ÷ building area
For example, if a 100,000-ft² office consumes 10,000,000 kWh-equivalent/year:
EUI = 100 kWh/ft²-year
Don't stop at the number. Look at monthly EUI and demand, because a building that looks reasonable annually may have a serious summer cooling or peak-demand problem.
You can benchmark the building using energystar.gov. EPA describes benchmarking as the first step toward identifying underperforming buildings and opportunities for improvement.
For buildings eligible for an ENERGY STAR score, you'll generally need complete energy data for all fuel types and at least 12 consecutive months.
This is where the Facilities Manager can uncover a surprising amount of waste.
Walk the entire building with the building operator/maintenance staff, preferably during both occupied and unoccupied periods.
Pay particular attention to:
HVAC is often the first place I'd investigate because schedules, controls, and maintenance problems can produce savings without replacing major equipment.
Look for:
Don't assume "replace everything with LEDs" is automatically the best project. First determine operating hours, controls, existing light levels, and actual savings.
Inspect:
Envelope problems can increase both heating and cooling loads.
Look at:
A particularly useful question is:
"What is still consuming electricity at 2:00 AM?" An after-hours inspection can reveal equipment that nobody realizes is operating continuously.
Don't just say, "The building used 4 million kWh."
Try to determine approximately where those kWh went:
| End use | Questions to investigate |
|---|---|
| Cooling | Chiller efficiency? Runtime? Setpoints? |
| Heating | Boiler efficiency? Schedules? Simultaneous heating/cooling? |
| Fans | Runtime? Static pressure? VFD control? |
| Pumps | Runtime? Pressure? Variable flow? |
| Lighting | Wattage × hours × controls |
| Plug loads | What operates continuously? |
| Domestic hot water | Temperature, recirculation, losses |
| Refrigeration | Equipment condition and operating hours |
| Data/IT | Server-room cooling and equipment load |
| Exterior | Parking/landscape/sign lighting schedules |
DOE notes that more detailed analysis can produce seasonal or hourly results and itemize energy by end use, often using additional metering or data acquisition.
For many existing commercial buildings, controls are a major opportunity.
Have your BAS technician or controls contractor trend:
Look for things like:
Building occupied schedule: 6 AM–7 PM HVAC actually running: 4 AM–11 PM That difference can represent thousands of unnecessary operating hours.
Also look for fighting systems, such as a VAV box heating a space while the central AHU is providing cold air.
Utility bills tell you how much energy you're buying. They don't necessarily tell you what is causing it.
For a Level 2 investigation, consider temporary meters or data logging for:
DOE distinguishes basic analyses using existing data from more detailed analyses that require additional measurements and sometimes submetering/data acquisition.
Turn observations into specific projects.
For example:
Finding: AHUs operate 4 hours before occupancy.
ECM: Optimize startup schedule.
Estimated savings: X kWh/year.
Implementation cost: $X.
Annual savings: $X/year.
Simple payback: cost ÷ annual savings.
Do this for every significant opportunity.
Typical ECMs include:
Don't rank projects solely by payback.
A useful Facilities Manager matrix considers:
Savings + cost + payback + reliability + maintenance + occupant impact + capital requirements + risk.
For example:
| Project | Cost | Annual savings | Payback | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAS scheduling | $5k | $12k | 0.4 yr | Very high |
| Lighting controls | $20k | $10k | 2.0 yr | High |
| VFDs | $40k | $12k | 3.3 yr | High |
| Chiller replacement | $400k | $50k | 8 yr | Evaluate |
| Window replacement | $750k | $25k | 30 yr | Low unless other driver |
The exact economics will obviously depend on the building.
ASHRAE describes Level 2 as appropriate for detailed surveys and analysis of practical measures, while Level 3 is intended for capital-intensive modifications requiring substantially more engineering analysis.
This is an important issue that is easy to miss.
Your electricity bill may contain both:
A building might use relatively little electricity overall but still have a very expensive monthly peak.
Investigate what caused the peak:
Demand management can sometimes save substantial money without reducing annual kWh nearly as much.
Don't conclude that "energy increased 15%" simply because the utility bill increased 15%.
Compare energy against:
For example, an unusually hot summer may explain increased cooling consumption.
Conversely, if electricity consumption rises despite similar weather and occupancy, you've got a stronger signal that something changed operationally.
A useful report shouldn't be a 100-page document that nobody implements.
I'd structure it as:
For each measure:
Divide projects into:
0–12 months: no/low-cost operational measures
1–3 years: moderate-capital projects
3–10 years: major equipment replacements/capital projects
This is the part that often gets neglected.
After implementing a project, establish a baseline and measure the result.
For example:
Before: 1.2 million kWh/year Projected savings: 180,000 kWh/year After: 1.04 million kWh/year If you don't measure afterward, you don't really know whether the project delivered its promised savings.
DOE emphasizes consistent measurement and reporting of building performance so that the effectiveness of energy-efficiency measures can actually be evaluated.
If I were starting Monday morning, I'd do this:
That essentially gives you a Level 1 → Level 2 progression without spending money on a sophisticated engineering study before you've exhausted the obvious opportunities. ASHRAE and DOE both emphasize matching the depth of analysis to the purpose and available data.
If the building is large or the potential capital investment is substantial, I'd have a qualified energy auditor perform a formal ASHRAE Standard 211 audit. DOE's Audit Template is also specifically designed around ASHRAE Standard 211 and supports Level I–III audit data.
After implementing a project, establish a baseline and measure the result.
For example:
Before: 1.2 million kWh/year Projected savings: 180,000 kWh/year After: 1.04 million kWh/year If you don't measure afterward, you don't really know whether the project delivered its promised savings.
DOE emphasizes consistent measurement and reporting of building performance so that the effectiveness of energy-efficiency measures can actually be evaluated.
For example:
Before: 1.2 million kWh/year Projected savings: 180,000 kWh/year After: 1.04 million kWh/year If you don't measure afterward, you don't really know whether the project delivered its promised savings.
DOE emphasizes consistent measurement and reporting of building performance so that the effectiveness of energy-efficiency measures can actually be evaluated.
Absolutely. For a commercial building, I’d treat the energy audit as a **data → building walk-through → identify waste → quantify savings → prioritize projects → verify results** process. The framework below follows **ASHRAE Standard 211**, which defines Level 1, 2, and 3 commercial-building energy audits.…
Absolutely. For a commercial building, I’d treat the energy audit as a data → building walk-through → identify waste → quantify savings → prioritize projects → verify results process.
The framework below follows ASHRAE Standard 211, which defines Level 1, 2, and 3 commercial-building energy audits.
Collect at least 12 months of bills; three years is preferable. Gather:
ASHRAE specifically recommends reviewing historical bills, rate classes and monthly patterns rather than looking only at the annual total.
A useful first metric is Energy Use Intensity (EUI):
EUI = annual energy consumption ÷ building area
For electricity, you can initially track kWh/ft²/year; for whole-building comparison, convert fuels to a common energy unit.
Then benchmark the building against comparable properties.
The ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager guides are useful for setting up the building, entering utility data and benchmarking performance.
Don't just ask, "How many kWh did we use?"
Plot consumption by:
This can expose problems such as:
Example: Your building is occupied Monday–Friday, 7 AM–6 PM, but the electrical load barely drops overnight.
That suggests you should investigate HVAC schedules, lighting, plug loads, ventilation, refrigeration, pumps and other equipment operating unnecessarily.
A particularly important metric is overnight/weekend baseload.
This is where the bills become real-world observations.
ASHRAE recommends conducting the walk-through with building operators and developing an understanding of the building's construction, equipment, operation and maintenance.
I'd inspect these areas systematically:
Check:
Also examine the building automation system (BAS). Look for overrides, failed sensors, manual schedules and equipment that never shuts down.
A building can have excellent equipment and still have a huge energy bill because the controls are wrong.
Walk representative areas and record:
Look particularly for spaces that are:
Don't automatically replace everything with LEDs. First determine whether controls and operating hours are the bigger opportunity.
Inventory significant loads:
Where practical, use temporary submeters or clamp meters to determine which loads are actually consuming significant energy.
This is particularly valuable when the whole-building meter shows an unexpectedly high baseload.
Look for:
Use thermal imaging or other diagnostic equipment when appropriate, especially when you suspect envelope problems.
Before recommending a $500,000 chiller replacement, look for things that cost little or nothing.
Examples:
| Opportunity | Typical action |
|---|---|
| HVAC schedule | Shut equipment down when unoccupied |
| Temperature settings | Correct excessive heating/cooling |
| BAS overrides | Remove unnecessary overrides |
| Simultaneous heating/cooling | Correct controls |
| Economizers | Repair/enable proper operation |
| Lighting | Reduce operating hours |
| Occupancy sensors | Add where appropriate |
| Compressed air | Repair leaks |
| Dirty filters/coils | Restore airflow/heat transfer |
| Refrigeration | Correct temperature/control issues |
| Demand peaks | Identify and reduce coincident loads |
ASHRAE specifically describes Level 1 audits as a way to identify low/no-cost measures as well as capital projects deserving further investigation.
Every potential improvement should become an ECM with numbers behind it.
For each measure, estimate:
For example:
ECM #7 — Optimize AHU schedules
Estimated savings: 85,000 kWh/year
Estimated cost: $4,000
Annual savings: $13,600
Simple payback: 3.5 months
That immediately gives management something actionable.
I'd put projects into three buckets:
Low cost + fast payback.
Examples: scheduling, controls corrections, setpoint changes, maintenance.
Moderate investment with attractive economics.
Examples: LED/controls, VFDs, HVAC controls upgrades, insulation improvements.
Large capital projects requiring more confidence.
Examples: chiller replacement, boiler replacement, major HVAC redesign, building-envelope projects.
This corresponds well to the ASHRAE approach: Level 1 = walk-through, Level 2 = detailed energy survey/analysis, Level 3 = detailed analysis of capital-intensive modifications. ASHRAE notes that Level 2 is adequate for most buildings, while Level 3 is intended for major capital decisions.
A surprisingly important part of an audit is how you're being charged, not merely how much energy you're consuming.
Review:
A building can reduce its bill substantially by reducing its peak demand, even if total kWh doesn't fall dramatically.
This is the step that often gets neglected.
After implementing measures, continue tracking:
kWh + kW + therms + dollars + EUI
Compare actual performance against the pre-project baseline while accounting for factors such as weather and occupancy.
ASHRAE recommends including measurement and verification methods in the audit results and prioritizing modifications in recommended implementation order.
For an existing commercial building, I'd start with a Level 1 audit immediately, then move the building to a Level 2 audit if the initial data show significant savings potential.
ASHRAE's current guidance explicitly describes the audit hierarchy and provides procedures for conducting and reporting the work.
A practical sequence is:
Week 1: Gather 24–36 months of bills + BAS/interval data
↓
Week 2: Calculate EUI and identify abnormal consumption patterns
↓
Week 2: Conduct a full HVAC/lighting/electrical/envelope walk-through
↓
Week 3: Identify and quantify ECMs
↓
Week 3: Correct no/low-cost operational problems
↓
Weeks 4–6: Engineer and price major opportunities
↓
Ongoing: Track kWh, demand, fuel, cost and EUI monthly
The key is not to start by buying new equipment. Start by determining where the energy is going, when it's being consumed, and why. That frequently uncovers inexpensive operational problems before you commit capital.
ASHRAE — Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits is the best formal reference if you want to structure the audit professionally.
If you tell me the building type, approximate square footage, HVAC system, annual electricity/gas cost, and age of the building, I can also lay out a Facilities Manager's energy-audit checklist and data-collection worksheet tailored to it.
Conducting a commercial building energy audit is a systematic process designed to uncover waste, optimize equipment performance, and reduce utility costs. Facilities Managers typically break this down into three progressive levels (as defined by ASHRAE), starting with a high-level review and moving toward deep…
Conducting a commercial building energy audit is a systematic process designed to uncover waste, optimize equipment performance, and reduce utility costs. Facilities Managers typically break this down into three progressive levels (as defined by ASHRAE), starting with a high-level review and moving toward deep engineering analysis.
Here is how a Facilities Manager approaches and conducts a comprehensive commercial energy audit:
If you want to tailor this further, let me know:
Conducting a commercial building energy audit helps a Facilities Manager identify where energy is being wasted and where efficiency can be maximized. A standard approach follows the **ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers)** guidelines, which break audits down into three…
Conducting a commercial building energy audit helps a Facilities Manager identify where energy is being wasted and where efficiency can be maximized. A standard approach follows the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) guidelines, which break audits down into three distinct levels, typically starting with a comprehensive walkthrough and data analysis.
Here is how a Facilities Manager conducts a thorough commercial energy audit:
If you want to dive deeper, let me know:
I can tailor the audit approach to your specific building type and equipment.
No sources cited
Yes. A Facilities Manager can conduct a very useful first-pass energy audit internally, then bring in a qualified energy auditor for detailed engineering analysis if the savings opportunity justifies it. The most practical framework is **ASHRAE Standard 211**, which defines three audit levels: Level 1 (walk-through),…
Yes. A Facilities Manager can conduct a very useful first-pass energy audit internally, then bring in a qualified energy auditor for detailed engineering analysis if the savings opportunity justifies it.
The most practical framework is ASHRAE Standard 211, which defines three audit levels: Level 1 (walk-through), Level 2 (energy survey and analysis), and Level 3 (detailed analysis of capital-intensive improvements).
Collect at least 12 consecutive months of:
Don't look only at the dollar amount. Separate consumption from price. A bill can rise because energy became more expensive, because the building used more energy, or both.
Create a simple monthly spreadsheet:
| Month | Electricity kWh | Peak kW | Gas therms | Total cost | HDD | CDD | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | |||||||
| Feb | |||||||
| … |
ASHRAE's Level 1 process specifically starts with historical utility data and a preliminary energy-use analysis.
Calculate Energy Use Intensity (EUI):
Annual energy consumption ÷ building square footage
For example, if a 50,000-ft² building uses 2,500,000 kWh equivalent annually:
EUI = 50 kWh/ft²-year on the chosen energy basis.
Then compare your building with similar buildings. EUI is useful because it tells you whether the building is actually energy-intensive rather than simply having a large utility bill. ASHRAE Standard 211 calls for calculating EUI and benchmarking normalized energy consumption against comparable buildings.
You can also use ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for benchmarking.
This is where a good Facilities Manager can uncover surprisingly large savings.
Walk through every major energy-consuming area, preferably at different times of day.
Look for:
For many commercial buildings, HVAC and controls should be among your first places to investigate.
Look for:
Inspect:
Inventory major loads such as:
These loads are frequently overlooked because they're not considered "building systems."
Don't skip this.
Ask the people who operate the building:
The people maintaining the building often know where the energy waste is before the meter data confirms it. ASHRAE's audit methodology incorporates site information, O&M procedures and staff interviews.
If you have a BAS, pull trend data rather than simply looking at the current screen.
Trend:
Look for impossible or suspicious combinations.
For example:
Heating valve = 80% open
Cooling valve = 70% open
Outdoor temperature = 75°F
That can indicate simultaneous heating and cooling, a sensor problem, bad sequences, or control issues.
For a Level 1 audit, observation may be enough to identify opportunities. For a Level 2 audit, start measuring significant loads.
Useful instruments include:
You don't necessarily need to measure everything. Concentrate on equipment responsible for substantial energy consumption or suspected problems.
Try to answer:
Where is the energy actually going?
A conceptual breakdown might look like:
Your actual percentages need to come from measurements, equipment data, utility information or engineering calculations.
This is important because "reduce the utility bill" isn't an actionable recommendation.
"Reduce AHU operating hours by two hours per day" is actionable.
Create a list of Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs).
Typical examples:
| Measure | Cost | Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Correct HVAC schedules | $ | High |
| Correct temperature setpoints | $ | Medium–High |
| Repair failed dampers | $–$$ | Medium |
| BAS optimization | $–$$ | High |
| Turn off unnecessary equipment | $ | Medium |
| Adjust static-pressure setpoints | $ | Medium–High |
| LED lighting | $$ | Medium–High |
| Occupancy sensors | $$ | Medium |
| Economizer repair | $$ | High |
| VFD installation | $$$ | High |
| HVAC replacement | $$$$ | Potentially very high |
| Building-envelope improvements | $$$$ | Site dependent |
ASHRAE specifically describes Level 1 as identifying low/no-cost measures as well as potential capital improvements.
For every worthwhile measure, estimate:
Annual energy savings × utility rate = annual dollar savings
Then:
Simple payback = project cost ÷ annual savings
For example:
Simple payback:
$8,000 ÷ $5,000 = 1.6 years
Don't stop at simple payback for larger projects. For significant capital projects, consider maintenance savings, equipment life, incentives, financing, demand charges, and lifecycle economics.
This is an especially important issue if you're paying commercial electricity rates based partly on peak kW demand.
A building could reduce its kWh consumption substantially and still have a surprisingly high bill if it continues setting a high monthly peak.
Look at:
Sometimes controlling when equipment runs can be almost as valuable as reducing how much it runs.
Your final report shouldn't be a 100-page engineering document that nobody uses.
I'd organize the recommendations into:
Operational and maintenance measures.
Controls, lighting, VFDs, sensors, repairs and smaller equipment upgrades.
Major HVAC, envelope, electrical or mechanical projects.
For each measure, record:
This is the step that separates an energy program from a one-time audit.
After implementing measures, continue monitoring:
Baseline → implement → measure → compare → correct
ASHRAE's Building EQ process is designed in part to establish a performance baseline and reassess after improvements so that savings can be tracked.
Level 1 — Walk-through:
Best starting point if you don't know where the problem is. Relatively quick and identifies obvious savings opportunities.
Level 2 — Energy survey and analysis:
The sweet spot for many facilities trying to materially reduce their bills. It adds more detailed investigation, energy-use analysis and economic evaluation.
Level 3 — Detailed analysis:
For major capital decisions where you need engineering calculations and a high degree of confidence before investing substantial money.
That's the framework established by ASHRAE Standard 211.
If your bills have suddenly become too high, don't immediately start replacing equipment.
I'd first perform a Level-1-style audit internally, concentrating on the last 12–24 months of bills, HVAC schedules/controls, demand charges, lighting schedules, and major equipment. That will usually tell you whether you're dealing primarily with:
If the initial investigation shows a substantial opportunity, commission an ASHRAE Level 2 audit before committing significant capital.
If you tell me the building type, square footage, approximate age, operating hours, heating/cooling system, and what utilities you use (electric/gas/etc.), I can lay out a Facilities Manager's energy-audit worksheet with exactly what to collect, what to measure, and the calculations to perform.
Conducting a commercial energy audit helps a Facilities Manager systematically identify where energy is being wasted and where efficiency can be optimized. A professional audit generally follows a phased approach, scaled from a quick overview to a deep technical…
Conducting a commercial energy audit helps a Facilities Manager systematically identify where energy is being wasted and where efficiency can be optimized. A professional audit generally follows a phased approach, scaled from a quick overview to a deep technical analysis.
If you'd like, let me know:
I can tailor the audit priorities and suggest specific high-impact areas to check first.
Yes. A Facilities Manager can do a useful energy audit without immediately hiring an outside consultant. The key is to treat it as a **data + building systems + operating practices investigation**, rather than simply walking around looking for inefficient equipment. A good process looks like this: ## 1. Establish the…
Yes. A Facilities Manager can do a useful energy audit without immediately hiring an outside consultant. The key is to treat it as a data + building systems + operating practices investigation, rather than simply walking around looking for inefficient equipment.
A good process looks like this:
Start with at least 12 months of utility data—preferably 24–36 months—to capture seasonal patterns.
Collect:
EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is a useful starting point for benchmarking. It can compare the building with similar buildings and its own historical performance.
Calculate Energy Use Intensity (EUI):
EUI = annual energy consumption ÷ gross floor area
ENERGY STAR expresses EUI in energy per square foot per year, typically kBtu/ft²/year.
If your building is, say, 100,000 ft² and uses 10 billion Btu/year, its EUI is 100 kBtu/ft²/year.
Look for clues in the data.
Is consumption high, or are rates/demand charges high?
A building can have relatively normal kWh consumption but an unusually high bill because of peak electrical demand.
Look for:
Plot monthly kWh, kW, therms, and cost. A simple graph often reveals more than a stack of utility bills.
This is an extremely valuable—and frequently overlooked—part of the audit.
Talk with:
Ask questions such as:
The operators often know exactly where the building wastes energy.
Work systematically rather than wandering around.
Inspect:
Check for:
This is often one of the highest-return areas.
Review:
Don't assume the BAS schedule is what the equipment actually does. Verify operation in the field.
Inventory lighting by area:
| Area | Existing lamps/fixtures | Quantity | Hours/day | Controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices | LED | 200 | 10 | Occupancy |
| Warehouse | Metal halide | 40 | 14 | Manual |
| Parking | HID | 30 | 12 | Photocell |
Look for:
Don't automatically recommend LED replacement. Determine the actual operating hours, existing wattage, control strategy, and remaining useful life first.
These can be surprisingly large.
Look at:
Pay particular attention to equipment that operates 24/7.
A useful question is:
"What is consuming electricity at 2:00 AM when almost nobody is here?"
Check:
In hot climates, solar gain and infiltration can substantially increase cooling loads.
For larger opportunities, take actual measurements.
Useful instruments include:
For example, instead of assuming a motor is heavily loaded, measure its electrical characteristics over time.
Likewise, don't assume an HVAC unit is operating according to its schedule—log its operation.
Turn observations into specific measures.
Examples:
For each ECM, estimate:
Annual energy savings
Annual dollar savings
Implementation cost
Simple payback
Payback = project cost ÷ annual savings
Also consider:
For example:
| ECM | Cost | Annual savings | Simple payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC scheduling | $2,000 | $8,000 | 0.25 yr |
| LED retrofit | $35,000 | $12,000 | 2.9 yr |
| VFD installation | $20,000 | $7,000 | 2.9 yr |
| Chiller replacement | $300,000 | $40,000 | 7.5 yr |
The precise savings should be engineering estimates rather than guesses.
I'd put the recommendations into three buckets:
Do immediately
Do when budget permits
Study further
This prevents a $500 controls adjustment from getting buried underneath a $500,000 chiller recommendation.
The audit shouldn't end when the projects are installed.
Track:
Compare performance against the baseline and normalize for factors such as weather and operating conditions.
ENERGY STAR specifically recommends using benchmarking to establish a baseline and then track performance after improvements.
A useful way to think about it is:
Level I — Walk-through
Level II — Energy survey & analysis
Level III — Detailed analysis
DOE describes Level I as a walkthrough using utility bills and a brief onsite survey, while Level II involves a more detailed survey and cost-benefit analysis. www.energy.gov Current DOE audit guidance also references ASHRAE audit standards, including Level I/II approaches.
Start with a Level I audit yourself, but make it quantitative:
Utility bills → benchmark → identify abnormal consumption → inspect HVAC/controls/lighting → measure suspicious loads → calculate ECMs → prioritize → implement → verify.
If you uncover a major capital opportunity—such as a central plant replacement—then commission a professional Level II or III study rather than spending money based on a preliminary estimate.
One particularly important point: don't start by replacing equipment. In commercial buildings, controls, schedules, simultaneous heating/cooling, ventilation, demand management, and equipment operating outside occupied hours can produce substantial savings without replacing perfectly serviceable equipment.
If you give me the building type, approximate square footage, location, age, HVAC system, and your last 12 months of electricity/gas usage, I can show you how I'd perform the audit and build the actual energy-audit worksheet for your facility.
