How can you best prepare for an energy audit of a manufacturing facility?

1 Gather relevant data

Before the energy audit, you should collect and organize all the relevant data and information about your facility's energy consumption, production processes, equipment, and operational practices. This may include utility bills, meter readings, invoices, maintenance records, process flow diagrams, equipment specifications, operating schedules, and energy management policies. Having this data ready and accessible will help the auditor understand your facility's energy profile, baseline, and benchmarks, and save time and resources during the audit.

2 Conduct a walk-through inspection

Another important step to prepare for an energy audit is to conduct a walk-through inspection of your facility with the auditor. This will allow you to show the auditor the physical layout, condition, and operation of your energy systems, equipment, and processes, and point out any areas of concern or interest. The walk-through inspection will also help the auditor identify the scope, objectives, and methods of the audit, and determine the level of detail and analysis required. You should also provide the auditor with any safety and security protocols and requirements for accessing your facility.

3 Engage your staff and stakeholders

Preparing for an energy audit also involves engaging your staff and stakeholders in the process. You should inform and educate your staff about the purpose, benefits, and expectations of the audit, and encourage their participation and cooperation. You should also assign a contact person or a team to coordinate with the auditor and provide any assistance or feedback needed. Moreover, you should communicate with your management and other stakeholders about the audit, and solicit their support and input. By engaging your staff and stakeholders, you can foster a culture of energy awareness and efficiency in your facility.

4 Review previous audits and recommendations

If your facility has undergone previous energy audits, you should review the results and recommendations, and evaluate their implementation and outcomes. This will help you identify any gaps, challenges, or successes in your energy management practices, and inform your current audit objectives and priorities. You should also share this information with the auditor, as it can provide valuable insights and context for the audit. Additionally, you should review any relevant industry standards, best practices, or regulations that may affect your energy performance and compliance.

5 Prepare for post-audit actions

Finally, you should prepare for the post-audit actions that will follow the audit report and recommendations. This may include developing an action plan, setting goals and targets, allocating resources and responsibilities, monitoring and measuring progress, and reporting and communicating results. You should also consider how to integrate the audit findings and recommendations into your strategic planning and decision making processes, and how to align them with your business goals and values. By preparing for the post-audit actions, you can ensure that the audit leads to tangible and lasting improvements in your energy efficiency and performance.

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?