Maximizing Efficiency: Understanding Commercial Energy Audits

Key Benefits of an Energy Audit for Your Commercial Building

What is a Commercial Energy Audit?

A commercial energy audit from DMA Engineering is based on the guiding principles of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). When we conduct an ASHRAE audit of your building, we do a detailed health check-up of all vital systems that keep your property running smoothly.

Envision discovering new ways to save energy and contain costs in every corner of your building. Our experts will conduct an in-depth analysis of your systems, comparing the original designs of your building’s systems and equipment to its current state. Are they operating at peak performance? What’s limiting efficiency? How could you improve efficiency to take a major step forward in performance and comfort?

We follow guidelines from national and international leaders across industries like heating, cooling, ventilation, and more. There are three main levels of business energy audits from least to most extensive: ASHRAE Level 1, ASHRAE Level 2, and ASHRAE Level 3. In the next section, we’ll describe each level in detail. 

Defining ASHRAE Audit Levels

Which ASHRAE Level Do You Need?

Now that you understand the various levels of ASHRAE commercial energy audits, let’s consider which level your building may need. Will a Level 1 audit be enough, or do you need to proceed to Level 2 and Level 3 audits?

Your audit level should match your needs and goals. Maybe you need to identify a few simple no-cost or low-cost methods of saving money on your energy bills. A Level 1 or Level 2 audit may be enough.

Perhaps your company is creating a comprehensive new green energy strategy and seeks a wide range of long-term sustainability benefits. In this case, it will take a Level 3 audit to develop a robust energy management plan to support your building and business for years to come.

Level 1: The Starting Point

It’s a good idea to complete a Level 1 audit before jumping straight into a Level 2 audit. The basic information you’ll discover about your building will provide helpful decision-making knowledge you can use to move forward.

You can also learn whether there are quick wins and easy options for fast energy savings. Conducting a Level 1 audit is like taking your temperature and understanding your symptoms before making a trip to the doctor.

Level 2: A Comprehensive Evaluation

If you choose to move to the Level 2 audit, you’ll receive a detailed evaluation including a site visit, data collection, computer modeling, and a deep dig into your energy use. You’ll come away from a Level 2 audit with energy-saving ideas, from making lighting changes to improving your building’s heating for efficiency and comfort.

Level 3: Capital-Intensive Improvement Focus

Progressing to Level 3 is the most detailed approach to making improvements in your building’s efficiency. You’ll gain a highly organized and data-filled report showing precise options that would lead to the best possible outcomes. Using this report, you can make choices for the future of your facility, including purchasing and budgetary decisions.

Energy Fact:

The U.S. Department of Energy set a goal of slashing U.S. energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050, with a focus on cutting energy consumption in commercial buildings.

Benefits of a Business Energy Audit

Here are some specific examples of business energy audit benefits:

Energy Efficiency

Learn how to dramatically increase your building’s efficiency to take it into a new era of sensible energy use. Your building may have an array of energy-efficient options you’ve never considered before. For example, take a look at our page about electric heating conversion.

Cost Savings

Your building holds enormous potential to update its systems and find cost savings month after month. DMA Engineering has helped many types of buildings become healthier and more effective at conserving precious resources. Learn more in our case studies.

Compliance

The audit will help you determine where your property stands in terms of compliance with a wide range of regulatory standards for energy-efficient buildings. This will allow you to work proactively to prevent fines and other penalties that could be costly for your budget or might harm your reputation.

Understanding Your Property

Your ASHRA energy assessment is like taking your building for a health checkup after many years. You’ll learn vital data about your property, discover new ways of caring for building systems, and find opportunities to meet the challenge of becoming more green.

Depending on the audit level you select, you’ll see benefits like:

Our Approach to Commercial Energy Audits

At DMA Engineering, we’re known for our coordinated, systematic, and practical approach to energy audits. We’ll work with you in a harmonious partnership to carefully gather the right data and assemble it into information you can understand and use successfully.

DMA Engineering’s Approach to Energy Audits is: 

We take our sustainable and methodical approach seriously, following strict ASHRAE standards. We’ll deliver an industry-leading audit that is truly an asset for your company. 

Beyond The Audit: Partnering With DMA Engineering

Over the years, a building’s use and efficiency will change. It may have equipment that begins to fail earlier than expected or its function has shifted and its occupants are no longer comfortable with its current performance. There are many reasons to start an audit with DMA Engineering.

Are you searching for solutions to your aging, deteriorating, or struggling building? At DMA Engineering, we conduct commercial energy audits to help businesses understand their building’s energy profile and pinpoint solutions for lowering operating costs, increasing efficiency, and enhancing the occupant experience. Our sustainable designs create workable plans for highly functional buildings. Please reach out to us for all your energy and engineering needs.

Retro-Commissioning

Retro-commissioning is a type of commissioning that provides a methodical and structured way to audit an old building, perhaps for the first time, and assess its performance. Building owners and facility managers gain insights into design modifications and building efficiencies that would result in benefits like better cost and energy savings. Retro-commissioning is the key to creating fully sustainable buildings.

Obtaining Financing With CPACE

If you need assistance with funding building upgrades, consider the value of a commercial property-assessed clean energy (CPACE) structure. Building owners may borrow money for energy efficiency upgrades and repay it through a property tax bill assessment. This facilitates making long-term upgrades and can be arranged through state and private programs.

DMA Engineering can provide more information about CPACE arrangements. To see the power of CPACE in action, read about our energy upgrade project in Aurora, Colorado.

Energy Fact:

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that hundreds of organizations have already reduced their facilities’ energy consumption by 15% or more.

Commercial Energy Auditing for Colorado

Energy auditing services are particularly vital in Colorado, given the diverse energy landscape and the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Companies like DMA Engineering guide Colorado organizations and residents in optimizing energy consumption, upgrading to more sustainable technologies, and aligning with the state’s energy efficiency standards.

Areas Served in Colorado: