Energy Audits
An energy audit is usually one of the first steps in an energy management programme. It shows how efficiently energy is being used and highlights opportunities for energy cost savings. It can also show ways to improve productivity. Energy audits take a thorough look at particular facilities, processes or technologies.
Aim of an Energy Audit
The main goal of an energy audit is to reduce energy consumption, lower energy costs and improve profitability. Sometimes an audit may be done in response to energy shortages or environmental issues. An audit shows energy use and costs, and recommends cost-effective energy efficiency improvement options. The energy audit report lists ways to save and will help you to develop an action plan.
A good audit gives you benchmarks to compare options, allowing you to weigh the cost of improvements against future energy cost reductions.
Energy Audit reports should be carried out in accordance with Australian / New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3598:2000.
There are 4 types of Energy Audit as described below:
Level 1 Energy Audit
A Level 1 Energy Audit allows the overall energy consumption of the site to be evaluated, to determine whether energy use or reasonable or excessive. The information gathered by the energy auditor needs to be sufficient to enable site energy use to be compared with recognised benchmarks. Accuracy of costs and potential savings would generally be within ±40%.
A sample of a Level 1 Energy Audit can be downloaded by clicking here:
Level 1 Energy Audit – Single Site Audit 
Level 1 Energy Audit – Multiple Sites
Level 2 Energy Audit
A Level 2 Energy Audit includes the analysis of energy inputs involved in a high level audit, and investigates what the energy is used for. It also identifies specific areas where savings may be made, recommends measures to be taken and provides a statement of costs and potential savings. Accuracy of costs and savings would generally be within ±20%.
A sample of a Level 2 Energy Audit can be downloaded by clicking here:
Level 2 Industrial Audit
Level 2 Motor Inn
Level 3 Energy Audit
A Level 3 Energy Audit provides a more detailed analysis that a mid range level audit. It may cover a whole site or may concentrate on an individual item. The energy auditor may employ a specialist to carry out specific parts of the audit and may need to install data logging equipment. Accuracy of costs and savings would generally be within ±10%.
Design Energy Audit
A Design Energy Audit is carried out at the design stage, before any construction work has started. Often an energy audit carried out on a new building identifies opportunities that could have been implemented, if only an audit had been carried out prior to construction.
Items covered in a Design Energy Audit includes use of natural light, types of lighting, switching of lighting, insulation levels, types of heating, solar gain etc.
A Design Energy Audit case study from Waitakere Hospital can be downloaded by clicking here: Design Audit Case Study – Waitakere Hospital
More information about energy audits is available from:
EECA: http://www.eecabusiness.govt.nz/emprove/implementation/conduct-an-audit/index.htm
Energy Management Association of NZ: http://www.ema.org.nz/
Or contact an accredited energy auditor.
Accredited energy auditors in Rotorua:
• Power Solutions Limited - phone 07-349-8349 or visit www.powersolutionsltd.co.nz
If you are an accredited energy auditor in the Rotorua area and you are not listed here, please e-mail us your details for consideration:
info@energychampion.co.nz
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