Why Do an Energy Audit?
Find out where you’re wasting energy by carrying out an energy audit.
Here at Troo, we talk about energy audits a lot. That’s because they’re a fantastic way to kickstart your energy efficiency efforts in the workplace. They help you understand how you’re using energy and how you’re wasting it. They also help you figure out how to stop wasting energy, so you can save more money.
Instead of asking ‘Why do an energy audit?’, you should really be asking why you wouldn’t. We’re such big fans of energy audits, we even put together a guide to DIY energy audits for microbusinesses.
What is an energy audit?
An energy audit is a survey of your business. It analyses how you use energy and tells you where you’re wasting it. It also helps you work out how you can boost your energy efficiency and make savings. Energy audits are usually carried out by qualified energy assessors. Your energy assessor will visit your business and check things like:
- Your lighting fixtures and switches
- Your air conditioning and heating systems
- Equipment used in business operations, for example PCs and vending machines
- Roof and wall insulation
- Windows and door fittings
These are just a few of the things your energy assessor will analyse when carrying out an energy audit. How long this process takes depends on the size of your business. If you’re operating in a single building, it might take one or two days. If your business is spread out across different locations, it could take a lot longer.
Why do an energy audit?
Energy audits are about more than spotting all the ways you’re wasting energy (and money). They also help you find ways to stop that waste. After the initial survey, your energy assessor will put together an in-depth report into how your business uses energy. It will highlight some key areas for improvement and should provide you with estimated payback periods for each measure.
A payback period is the amount of time it takes to recover the cost of your investment through efficiency savings.
Key things to look out for.
Energy assessors typically look for quick wins: changes to your business that can be implemented quickly and at relatively low cost, with shorter payback periods. Lighting upgrades are often the quickest way to start saving, especially when combined with motion and light level sensors.
An energy audit report will also highlight any changes you could make to windows, insulation, and your heating systems. These recommendations are not always based on upgrades, and they often recommend changes to how equipment is used and operated. For example, your energy assessor might recommend switching off your heating system in parts of your premises that aren’t regularly used.
Get help with your energy audit and start saving on your business energy costs.
Kickstart your energy efficiency drive and give your business a boost! Book a callback from our team today.
