Step 2: Assess

STEP 2: CONDUCT AN ENERGY ASSESSMENT

Once you have benchmarked your building using a tool like ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, the next step to improving the energy performance of your property is to conduct a comprehensive energy audit.  Energy audits, also known as energy assessments, can identify energy-saving opportunities in your building, such as lighting, heating, air conditioning, windows, insulation, and more.  An energy assessment will show you exactly how and where energy is being used in your building, and specific steps you can take to limit energy waste. The industry standard for energy audits is the ASHRAE Energy Audit.  ASHRAE offers three levels of energy audits with increasing depth of analysis.  This guide will explain the differences between each audit level.

Different Types of Energy Assessment: ASHRAE Levels 1-3

Before you pursue an energy audit, it is first useful to calculate your building’s energy use and benchmark it against similar buildings (see the “Step 1: Benchmark Your Property” section).  This is necessary before pursuing an ASHRAE Level 1 assessment.

Level 1: Walk-through (Click for more information)

An ASHRAE Level 1 Energy Audit is the most basic, and most common, level of energy audit.  It is a prerequisite of earning an ASHRAE Building Energy Quotient (bEQ) rating (see the “Step 1: Benchmark Your Property” section).  The Level 1 audit identifies the rough savings and costs of energy efficiency and conservation measures in your building, and will identify specific capital improvements you can make to increase the energy efficiency of your property. Cost: Approximately $0.12 per square foot, depending on the size of your facility.

Level 2: Energy Survey and Analysis (Click for more information)

An ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audit includes a detailed analysis of the end-use of energy usage in your building, as well as specific energy efficiency capital improvements you can make to your property.  A Level 2 assessment will also identify operational adjustments you can make to improve the energy performance of your facility. Cost: Approximately $0.20 per square foot, depending on the size of your facility.

Level 3: Detailed Survey and Analysis (Click for more information)

An ASHRAE Level 3 Energy Audit is the most comprehensive energy assessment you can conduct of your property.  It includes detailed measurements and analysis of the energy use of your building, as well as a detailed list of the costs and savings of specific energy efficiency improvements.  A Level 3 assessment also includes an hour-by-hour simulation of energy use to better understand how your property is using, and wasting, energy. Cost: Approximately $0.50 per square foot, depending on the size of your facility.
A good rule of thumb is that the cost of an energy audit should not exceed 10% of your annual utility bills.
Expert Tip

Hiring an Energy Assessor

Most energy service companies (ESCOs), energy engineering firms, and energy consultants are qualified to conduct an energy audit.  ASHRAE offers a “Building Energy Assessment Professional” certification to highly trained energy assessors, and the Association of Energy Engineers offers a “Certified Energy Auditor” credential.  Lists of ASHRAE- and AEE-certified professionals are available online:

Additional Resources:


Step Three