So you’re having an energy audit. Congratulations!
A professional energy audit is one of the very best things you can do to streamline your building operation expenses and rightsize your business’s energy footprint. Calling in the pros not only saves you precious time, it’s also the smartest way to make sure you’re making the biggest-impact, lowest-cost upgrades and maximizing your investment in energy improvements.
And unlike some other kinds of audits (looking at you, IRS…), an energy audit is nearly painless and won’t take a lot time and energy.
How to prepare
- Gather your utility bills from the past year. Gas, electric, water, etc.
- Collect information on maintenance records for any large appliances, especially your HVAC system.
- Make a list of your concerns (you suspect something isn’t working right, there’s a spot in the building with big temperature fluctuations) in advance to make sure you get the most out of your appointment.
What to expect
A thorough audit will start with a look at your books. Specifically, your energy costs and usage over the past year. This enables the analyst to identify trends and areas of concern. Remember, the auditor is here to help you save energy and make your business more efficient, so the more information you provide, the better.
The next part of the audit includes a walk-through of your facilities. The auditor will be looking at your windows, doors, lighting, HVAC, insulation, and more. Depending on the level of audit you’ve chosen (from basic to advanced), they may perform tests to analyze air infiltration or systems performance, take infrared photos, etc.
Finally, you’ll receive a report. This will give you a comprehensive picture of your facilities’ current energy use and the auditor’s recommendations for specific upgrades (windows, insulation, HVAC, etc.). Once you’ve determined how to move forward, your contractor (who might be, but isn’t necessarily the same as your auditor) will help you apply for the utility rebates your eligible for and secure financing.
If you’re interested in scheduling an energy audit for your business, the best place to start is with your utility company. Here in Michigan, utilities support business energy efficiency with free advice and sometimes free basic analysis and upgrades (especially lighting).
- If your business has Consumers Energy service, start here.
- If your business has DTE service, start here.
- If your business has service through Alpena Power Company, Baraga Electric Utility, the City of Crystal Falls, the City of Dowagiac, the City of Gladstone Dept. of Power & Light, the City of Harbor Springs Electric Dept., Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities, L’Anse Electric Utility, Michigan Gas Utilities, the City of Negaunee Electric Dept., the City of Norway Dept. of Power & Light, SEMCO Energy Gas Company, Upper Peninsula Power Company, UMERC (We Energies and WPS service areas), or Xcel Energy, start with Efficiency United.
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