What is an Energy Audit?
- The energy audit is one of the first tasks to be performed in accomplishing an effective energy management program designed to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the energy operating costs of a facility.
- An energy audit consists of a detailed examination of how a facility uses energy, what the facility pays for that energy, and finally, a recommended program for changes in operating practices or energy consuming equipment that will cost effectively save rupees on energy bills.
- The energy audit is sometimes called an energy surveyor an energy analysis, so that it is not confused with a financial audit.
Process of the Energy Audit :
- The audit process starts by collecting information about a facility’s operation and about its past record of utility bills.
- This data is then analyzed to get a picture of how the facility uses –and possibly wastes –energy, as well as to help the auditor learn what areas to examine to reduce energy costs.
- Specific changes – called Energy Conservation Measures (ECM’s) – are identified and evaluated to determine their benefits and their cost effectiveness.
- These ECM’s are assessed in terms of their costs and benefits, and an economic comparison is made to rank the various ECM’s.
- Finally, an Energy Action Plan is created where certain ECM’s are selected for implementation, and the actual process of saving energy and money begins.
Goals of the Energy Audit
- Clearly identify types and costs of energy use.
- Understand how energy is being used–and possibly wasted
- Identify and analyze more cost-effective ways of using energy
- Improved operational techniques
- New equipment, new processes or new technology
- Perform an economic analysis on those alternatives and determine which ones are cost-effective for your business or industry.