Energy audits have become a necessity recently. If you’re unaware of the term, it is a thorough examination of your building to calculate its total energy consumption. These audits are performed in order to increase the building’s efficiency. In easier words, it is to provide you with optimum energy performance at a lesser rate and reduced environmental effects.

These audits provide a deep understanding of the usage of energy in a space and suggest improvements at the end. Energy audits include collecting data and information from various aspects of a building. This can include the entire building’s energy consumption data along with the consumption patterns and usage. Other data collection sources include appliances and equipment, heating and cooling systems, building automation and control systems, and so on. The data gathered from these sources become the basis of decisions to enhance overall efficiency.

1. Energy Consumption Data

The primary focus of any energy audit is to understand the usage of energy in a space. This includes performing a thorough analysis of the utilization of sources to draw a detailed result at the end. The more precise the data will be, the more targeted improvements can be made for optimized energy consumption.

To achieve higher accuracy in data collection, the auditors examine utility bills. That automatically tells them almost everything they have been looking for. The higher the bill, the higher its energy consumption, which means it is the area that needs to be looked into first to resolve the flaws. Utility bills include electricity, water, and bills of over a year or two. Other than these, smart meters have been a thing too. They automatically tell you everything you need to know without having to collect years’ long bills.

Energy audits are based on accurate consumption data. It is needed to identify the exact usage patterns, including energy spikes at certain moments. Which appliance needs to be upgraded and which one is doing great; all of this data relies upon the accuracy of an auditor’s work.

2. Appliance and Equipment Data

Appliances and equipment used in any building are a major contributor to a building’s energy consumption. After the building’s shell, auditors have to look at these appliances properly to create an accurate audit report. Using old or outdated equipment can lead to high energy usage and ultimately, higher expense than needed.

This data collection process starts with making an inventory of all the building’s equipment. That also includes the type, model, age, and other significant details. After that, these appliances are rated accordingly and are suggested to be replaced if better options are available.

Understanding the usage patterns of these appliances and equipment is how their potential is calculated. For example, maybe there’s a heating appliance out there that can heat up faster and better than the one you have. That can only be known after monitoring its frequency and duration of use.

There are tons of appliances that consume a substantial amount of energy on standby. That can happen if the device is left plugged in but is not being used. With proper energy audits, you can avoid paying for standby appliances too by either replacing them or plugging them out when not in use.

There are different tools and methods to collect the energy usage data of various appliances and equipment. A few are as,

• Plug load meters: The Plug load meters are plugged directly into an appliance to get the real-time data of its energy usage.

• Energy management software: This software analyzes the energy consumption of an entire building or space by keeping track of all the energy consumption and peak times.

• Surveys and logs: Taking feedback from occupant tells their behavior of energy usage. They might be leaving lights on when not needed or might be using an appliance wrong. Thus, surveys are done to get information out of them to be used later in final reports.

3. Water Heating Data

Water heating systems require constant energy consumption especially in residential buildings. Properly auditing these systems can help save a lot of energy usage by only optimizing the system’s efficiency.

The data collected is of different types. It includes knowing the Water Heater Specifications. That means gathering information about the heater’s age, type, and efficiency. In case the heater’s performance is too low, the auditor suggests if a replacement is necessary.

Improper thermostat settings can also lead to excessive energy consumption. Proper energy audits make sure to look into this too and suggest optimal settings where you get adequate hot water too while using minimal energy.

Another thing that can affect the energy consumption of a water heating system is pipe insulation. Proper pipe insulation means you can retain the heat within and thus, less energy losses.

Different tools and methods are used by auditors to measure a water heater’s efficiency. A few include visual inspections, using thermometers and performance testing equipment.

• Thermometers: Thermometers help ensure the water heating is consistent throughout by measuring temperatures at different points.

• Visual inspections: Auditors also look into the heating system themselves to make sure everything’s working fine. That includes properly checking the pipes, heater, and insulation.

• Performance testing equipment: Testing equipment is also used to measure the overall energy input versus the heat output. This equipment helps measure the standby losses, and working efficiency of the heater.

4. Building Automation and Control Systems Data

Building Automation systems (BAS) help enhance the energy efficiency of buildings by controlling different building operations. The main operations can include heating, cooling, lighting, and managing the security systems. These systems can work on real-time data and manage the energy consumption of every system accordingly through centralized control. Efficient automation and control systems can help save a great amount of energy on daily-basis.

The types of data collected to maintain an efficient BAS include collecting data from control systems, theri settings, and automation capabilities.

The types of building management systems in a place help identify the working of every particular system in the building. That means evaluating the efficiency of systems, including HVAC controls, lighting controls, and security systems.

Next thing that auditors work on are settings and schedules of these systems. If they are perfectly programmed and scheduled, the chances of energy loss are a lot less. Auditors also assess the advanced automation features to achieve optimum results. This includes ensuring the presence of smart thermostats and lighting controls. Having optimum devices means real-time adjustment according to the need.

Here’s how auditors gather this data:

• System Audits: To gather this type of data, auditors conduct comprehensive system audits. This includes reviewing the architecture and working of control systems in detail.

• User Interface Reviews: A friendlier user interface means the users or managers can manage the settings more accurately and easily. Making the UI interactions smoother also becomes a part of energy audits.

• Data Logging from Control Systems: The collection and assessment of data automatically from controls systems helps track temperature and lighting settings along with other relevant metrics. This helps maintain the optimum settings for a longer duration.

5. Renewable Energy Potential Data

Renewable energy resources usually have a great potential for upgradation. Advanced devices keep coming into the market and upgrading them the sooner, the better. The focus of renewable energy resources is to provide you with perfect building efficiency while promoting sustainability. The auditors usually look around to find potential in a space. They make sure a building has proper investment and potential for the owner to invest in renewable energy options.

The data collected in such a situation can include auditing the roof space, its orientation and shading to find out if the building has the potential for solar energy. In case of wind energy, auditors look for appropriate wind speed and turbine feasibility. Similarly, geothermal and biomass feasibility are calculated. The results are then suggested to the owner by sharing the better options available for more efficient working of their building.

Following are the tools auditors during energy audits use to make sure you’re going in the right direction with renewable energy sources.

• Solar Pathfinders: Solar pathfinders help find the best place to install solar panels for maximum energy production.

• Anemometers: Anemometers make sure the wind’s speed and direction is appropriate and well-enough to install wind turbines. Not every place is appropriate for these turbines. Thus, ensuring beforehand is a substantial step.

• Feasibility Studies: Installing renewable energy sources requires a proper investment. Feasibility studies make sure those investments are worth it through detailed analysis of site conditions and ROI.

Conclusion

All the data collected during energy audits is to ensure the building’s at its optimum energy consumption level. The data from utility bills, appliances and equipment, water heating systems, and automation systems help in this process. The more detailed the data and analysis will be, the better ways you will find out to optimize your energy usage. This entire process also helps promote sustainability and give environmental benefits.