ASHRAE Audits
ASHRAE Level 1 Audits
ASHRAE Level 1 Audits are less detailed energy audits that look primarily at low-cost and no-cost measures.
ASHRAE Level 1 Audits typically include an audit of the entire building’s energy consuming equipment, a study of past utility bills, a utility audit to determine whether there are billing errors, or whether there are more appropriate utility rates, an energy balance, determination of a list of ECMs, savings potential, and utility incentives.
ASHRAE Level 2 Audits
ASHRAE Level 2 Audits are more detailed energy audits, that look not just at simple measures that offer quicker paybacks, but in addition include more capital intensive measures.
Your ASHRAE Level 2 Audit will give you a list of energy conservation measures you can undertake to make your facility more energy efficient, how much energy each energy conservation measure will cost, and some economic analysis that will prove useful when deciding whether to take on the project or not. The most common economic measure we present is the simple payback, which tells how long it will take for the ECM to pay for itself. We also provide ROI analysis, and annual cashflow.
ASHRAE Level 2 Audits typically include an audit of the entire building’s energy consuming equipment, a study of past utility bills, a utility audit to determine whether there are billing errors, or whether there are more appropriate utility rates, an energy balance, determination of a list of ECMs, savings potential, utility incentives, cost to implement, and economic measures.
Retro-Commissioning (RCx)
Although RCx is usually more expensive and intensive than an energy audit, it typically yields better savings, in that payback is often under 2 years.
RCx is a detailed look at how well HVAC and lighting controls are actually working. The Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) uncovered during RCx typically involve reprogramming controls, replacing faulty actuators, valves, variable speed drives and sensors, and repairing rusty dampers. We also take a detailed look at how building operators are using the controls, as poor operational procedures usually lead to energy waste. ECMs uncovered typically are low-cost or no-cost. The purpose of RCx is to optimize existing system performance, rather than relying on major equipment replacement (which energy audits sometimes do).
RCx typically includes an audit of the entire building including a study of past utility bills, interviews with facility personnel. Then diagnostic monitoring and functional tests of building systems are executed and analyzed using extensive data logging and trending via the EMS system in addition to spot measurements of temperatures, power, static pressure, and other measures. This process helps find and repair operational problems. The identification of more complex problems are presented to the owner as well.