24 Oct Understanding the Importance of ASHRAE Energy Audits
An ASHRAE building audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a building’s energy performance conducted following the guidelines set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The primary goal of this audit is to uncover opportunities to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and enhance overall building performance.
Whether you’re a building owner, property manager, or someone interested in improving energy efficiency, an ASHRAE audit can provide valuable insights into your building’s performance. Here’s what to expect from a typical audit:
The ASHRAE Audit Process
- Pre-Audit Preparation:
Before the site visit, the auditor reviews building plans, energy bills, and any previous audits to gain an understanding of the building’s systems and energy use patterns. - Site Inspection:
The auditor then conducts an on-site inspection, evaluating the building’s HVAC systems, lighting, insulation, and other features that impact energy use. Depending on the scope, this inspection may involve checking the condition of equipment and reviewing operating schedules. - Data Collection:
During the inspection, information on environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and airflow is gathered. Historical energy use data from utility bills is also collected. - Analysis:
Collected data is analyzed to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement. - Reporting:
The final audit report details the findings, recommendations, and potential cost-benefit analyses for implementing the suggested improvements.
What are the ASHRAE Energy Audit levels?
Level 1
A basic audit that involves a brief site visit to identify obvious issues and collect preliminary data. The report provides an overview of potential energy-saving opportunities.
Level 2
A more detailed audit that includes measurements of equipment performance, an analysis of historical utility data, and recommendations for energy-saving measures. Cost estimates and energy models may also be included.
Level 3
The most comprehensive audit, often referred to as an “Investment Grade Audit.” It includes in-depth investigations, detailed measurements, and energy simulations. The Level 3 audit provides detailed recommendations, including cost-benefit analyses to support major investment decisions.
The ENERGY STAR Score
ENERGY STAR, a program developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides a tool called Portfolio Manager. This tool allows building owners to benchmark their energy use and set performance goals. A building’s ENERGY STAR score (on a scale of 1 to 100) indicates how well it performs compared to similar buildings across the country. A score of 75 or higher signifies a high-performing building.
An ASHRAE energy audit can supply the necessary data to generate an ENERGY STAR score, helping building owners monitor and improve energy performance.
Case Study: Energy Savings in a 1950s apartment complex
SK Collaborative conducted a Level 2 audit on a 1950s-era apartment complex undergoing a major renovation. The audit provided information on anticipated savings for various Energy and Water Efficiency Measures (EWEMs), which justified the renovation expenses.
The results showed that by implementing recommended measures such as replacing windows, lighting, and HVAC systems, the complex could achieve a 30% reduction in energy use and a 38% reduction in water use, with total annual savings estimated at $237,621.
Here is a summary of the key measures recommended
Why Choose sK Collaborative?
At SK Collaborative, we provide expert energy auditing services to help property owners and managers make informed decisions about improving building performance. Our team specializes in conducting ASHRAE Level 1, 2, and 3 audits, as well as guiding you through the entire energy efficiency upgrade process.
Learn more from our fact sheet
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