What’s an Energy audit?
An energy audit comprises a detailed analysis of the energy performance of a company or home, equipment, system(s) or process(es). It includes the appropriate measurement and observation of energy use, energy efficiency and consumption and ranks recommendations for improvement also in terms of financial benefits.
Companies/residential home should get an Energy audit to identify and prioritize opportunities to improve energy performance, reduce energy waste, reduce running costs, and obtain related environmental benefits.
An energy audit is a detailed inventory of the energy performances of your company/home carried out by an accredited auditor recognize by government agency for the environment and energy department.
Energy audit?
Types of Energy Audits
Depending on the needs of the company/home and the funding available for the audit, there are three types of assessments which may be carried out. The level of detail of the energy audit can be adjusted between the three types:
Type 1
Is sometimes also referred to as a Walk-Through. As the name suggests, this consists of a walk-through inspection of a facility to identify maintenance, operational or deficient equipment issues and to identify areas that need further evaluation. The results of a Walk-Through include an identification of energy saving opportunities, a qualitative analysis of the implementation of energy saving measures and an estimation of its potential energy saving. The final report is usually accompanied by basic comments on a project’s feasibility. For small companies or facilities this can be considered as an energy audit however it is usually recommended that a deeper assessment takes place to reap the full benefits of an audit. For larger companies/facilities it can be a preliminary audit.
Type 2
If the entity intends to invest an amount of money in energy efficiency measures, an Investment Grade Audit would be needed. This audit is a detailed account of energy use, including a quantitative study of the implementation with detailed investments, operational and maintenance costs, and an analysis of the investment model. The results of an Investment Grade Audit include the real energy demand and an energy balance. Likewise, the audit suggests a number of energy saving measures, including the calculation of energy savings and the investment needed to carry them out. This audit proposes bundled measures, with a financing plan as well as implementation and savings verification plans.
Type 3
can also be referred to as Energy Diagnosis, because a company can obtain enough information about its facility to start working on energy efficiency, with a very good quality-to-price ratio. This audit includes performing economic calculations and may include using some metering devices to identify actual energy consumption and losses. The results of an Energy Diagnosis include an energy balance (energy uses breakdown) and a list of energy efficiency measures derived from performance or building facility. The results also include financial analysis for each of the identified measures in order to categorize and prioritize the implementation of these measures.
The stages of an energy audit
- Preparation: before the auditor’s visit, gather information on your home/company: year of construction, energy bills, type of heating, heating service certificate, plans of the building, etc.
- The audit: first of all, the information that you have gathered about your home/company is analyzed. After this, when conducting a full audit, the auditor checks:
- The proper functioning of the heating installation, the hot water system and the ventilation system
- The proper use of your various pieces of equipment (thermostats, thermostatic valves, )
The report: All the data collected during the audit are encoded into a specialized software program. This application is used to attribute a label from A to E to all the elements analyzed. The auditor then makes recommendations and draws up a projection of the way your home/company would be if you were to follow these recommendations. In the last stage, the auditor draws up a final report and adds any observations he may have.
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Jukskei Park
Randburg
2188
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E-mail: clean-power@royaltekenergy.co.za
Phone: +27 (11) 568 7571
Mobile: +27 (83) 472 9749