How can you create an energy audit program?

1 Define your scope

The first step is to define the scope of your energy audit program, which means deciding what aspects of your energy use you want to examine and how deep you want to go. For example, you may want to focus on specific facilities, systems, or processes, or you may want to cover your entire organization. You may also want to choose between different levels of energy audits, ranging from basic walk-through surveys to comprehensive analyses with detailed measurements and recommendations. The scope of your energy audit program should reflect your objectives, budget, and available resources.

2 Gather data and information

The next step is to gather data and information about your current energy use and performance. This may include utility bills, meter readings, equipment specifications, operating schedules, maintenance records, and other relevant documents. You may also need to conduct site visits, interviews, surveys, or inspections to collect more data and information. The data and information you gather should provide a clear picture of your energy consumption patterns, costs, and opportunities for improvement.

3 Analyze data and identify opportunities

The third step is to analyze the data and information you collected and identify opportunities for energy savings and efficiency improvements. You may use various tools and methods to perform the analysis, such as benchmarking, energy balance, load profile, payback period, or life cycle cost. The analysis should help you quantify the potential energy savings and costs of implementing different measures or solutions. You should also consider the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of each opportunity.

4 Report findings and recommendations

The fourth step is to report your findings and recommendations from the energy audit to the relevant stakeholders and decision-makers. Your report should summarize the main results of the data analysis and the opportunities for energy savings and efficiency improvements. It should also provide clear and concise recommendations on how to implement the measures or solutions, including the expected benefits, costs, and payback periods. Your report should be tailored to your audience and their level of interest and expertise.

5 Implement and monitor

The final step is to implement and monitor the measures or solutions that you recommended from the energy audit. You should develop an action plan that outlines the steps, responsibilities, timelines, and resources for implementing the measures or solutions. You should also establish a monitoring and evaluation system that tracks the progress and performance of the implementation, such as energy consumption, savings, costs, and emissions. You should use the monitoring and evaluation system to verify the results, identify any issues or challenges, and make adjustments as needed.

Creating an energy audit program can help you improve your energy management and achieve your energy goals. By following these steps, you can design and execute an effective energy audit program that suits your organization and situation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?