Energy audit
Energy audits are undertaken to assess energy use and propose measures that might be taken to reduce consumption and costs.
The Carbon Trust suggest that 20% of business' annual energy costs are wasted by energy inefficient equipment, however, businesses often focus on revenue rather than costs and so 60% of cost-effective, viable, energy efficiency recommendations are not implemented. (Ref Carbon Trust, Mandatory energy efficiency audits for business. December 2013.)
An energy audit might be undertaken for a single building, several buildings, a site or an organisation, and might be carried out for commercial or domestic clients.
An energy audit might provide:
- An assessment of energy consumption and carbon emissions.
- A comparison with previous audits.
- Benchmarking against similar buildings.
- Assessment in relation to corporate energy targets or policies.
- A schedule of energy savings that could be made.
- An Investment appraisal of proposed measures including pay-back periods.
- An assessment of the difficulty of implementation.
- Prioritisation of measures.
- Proposed changes to operations, staff behaviour, communications, training and so on.
- Potential suppliers.
- Financing options.
Typically, savings might be identified through assessment of:
- Whether buildings are being operated properly (in accordance with the intention of the original design). For example, occupants opening windows in air-conditioned buildings.
- Whether changes been made since buildings were completed prevent them from operating properly (such as changes to plant during repairs or servicing).
- The type of lighting.
- Type and management of heating and cooling.
- Thermal comfort.
- Monitoring systems, timers, controls, sensors and other devices.
- Industrial processes, plant, equipment and machinery.
- Building fabric, heat loss, air-tightness and insulation.
- Type of energy used and tariff.
- Potential to use low-carbon or renewable energy.
- Potential for on-site energy generation.
- Possible behavioral changes.
- Assessment of other issues such as; water consumption, waste streams and transport.
Energy audits can be carried out in-house if there is sufficient expertise, or external advisers (such as energy surveyors) may be appointed. Organisations such as the Carbon Trust provide accreditation for energy surveyors.
Article 8 of the European Union (EU) Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU), requires that member states introduce regular energy audits for large enterprises with more than 250 employees or a turnover exceeding €50m (ie enterprises other than small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)). This is intended to encourage the uptake of cost-effective energy efficiency measures. These audits must be undertaken by 5 December 2015, and then every four years after that. The scheme does not extend to public bodies and does not require businesses implement the energy saving recommendations.
In the UK , the government propose that the directive should be implemented through the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS). See Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme for more information.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Air permeability testing.
- Air tightness in buildings
- BREEAM.
- BREEAM Testing and inspecting building fabric.
- Building use studies (BUS).
- Climate Change Act.
- Code for sustainable homes.
- Draughts in buildings.
- Emission rates.
- Energy management in the built environment: A review of best practice.
- Energy performance certificates.
- Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme.
- Energy targets.
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
- Thermographic survey.
[edit] External references.
- Department of Energy & Climate Change, Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme.
- Energy.gov, Home energy audits. USA.
- Business Green, DECC urges businesses to seize opportunity offered by new energy audit rules.
- Carbon Trust, Mandatory energy efficiency audits for business. December 2013.
Featured articles and news
IHBC share news on the Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator
To support in Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund bids
A change to adoptive architecture.
A must read for all built environment professionals.
A sun, tide, mass or scratch dial.
A brief description of time in the sun.
ICE Trustee Board update June 2022
Given by ICE President Ed McCann.
Artificial intelligence and project management
Two new research reports published by APM.
Association for Project Management membership offer
50% off APM Associate membership for Designing Buildings users.
Building safety, a shifting landscape for professionals
A commentary from the insurance perspective.
In brief with further links.
Walter Segal: self-built architect
A definitive book on a pioneer of green architecture.
Funding for heritage on the high street
Using heritage as a catalyst for reviving historic centres.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting update.
Declaration prioritising sustainable urbanisation adopted.
A small hidden, often distant but key building component.
Some brief words about the actuator.
CIAT Chief Executive steps down.
After 34 years at the Institute.
Volunteer opportunity launched by the ICE
To support the next generation of engineers.
Provisional findings show illegal cartels in the industry.
CIAT reporting from the Competition and Markets Authority.
Making sustainable construction number one priority.
The future of construction report.
Interview with ECA CEO.
Many provisions came into force on June 28, 2022.
With room to expand.
An information packed session at the BSRIA conference.
Refurbishment, Energy Efficiency, Indoor air and process.
Create a profile, write informed product articles and share.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) is one example.
We are indeed now 10 years old, so go on and be bold !
Write about something you know, help us build and grow !