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Energy Audit – The Connection Between Building Health and Energy Efficiency

Introduction

Energy efficiency plays a crucial role in our efforts to combat climate change and create a sustainable future. Buildings, in particular, are responsible for a significant portion of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. To address this issue, energy audits have emerged as powerful tools for identifying energy-saving opportunities and improving the overall efficiency of buildings. However, energy audits help reduce energy consumption and directly impact building health and occupant well-being. In this article, we will explore the connection between building health and energy efficiency, highlighting the importance of energy audits in promoting both.

Understanding Energy Efficiency

Before delving into the relationship between building health and energy efficiency, let us first understand what energy efficiency entails. Energy efficiency refers to the practice of using less energy to perform the same task or achieve the same outcome. In the context of buildings, it involves optimizing energy consumption while maintaining or enhancing occupant comfort and productivity.

Energy efficiency offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it reduces energy consumption, resulting in lower utility bills for building owners and occupants. Additionally, it helps in mitigating the environmental impact of buildings by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Moreover, energy-efficient buildings often provide improved indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and lighting conditions, leading to healthier and more productive occupants.

The Basics of Energy Audits

Energy audits are thorough evaluations of a building’s energy performance and usage. They seek to find energy waste, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. Energy audits come in a variety of forms, from straightforward walk-through audits to more in-depth and comprehensive analyses. The complexity of the facility, the available money, and the desired depth of study all affect the sort of energy audit that is undertaken.

A building’s numerous components are assessed during an energy audit. These consist of examining energy consumption trends, checking for air leaks and inadequate insulation in the building envelope, checking the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, measuring lighting effectiveness and examining appliances and other pieces of equipment. Energy auditors can identify locations where energy is being wasted by looking at these factors and can then suggest the best courses of action to increase energy efficiency.

Benefits of Energy Audits

Energy audits offer many benefits for building owners, occupants, and the environment. Firstly, they provide a clear understanding of a building’s energy usage, allowing stakeholders to identify energy-saving opportunities. By implementing the recommended energy efficiency measures, significant cost savings can be achieved through reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills.

Furthermore, energy audits help in uncovering hidden energy inefficiencies and wastage. They shed light on areas that may otherwise go unnoticed, such as air leaks, outdated HVAC systems, inefficient lighting, and suboptimal equipment usage. By addressing these issues, buildings can operate more efficiently, reducing their environmental impact and carbon footprint.

In addition to financial savings and environmental benefits, energy audits contribute to building health and occupant well-being. Many building health issues directly impact energy efficiency. By addressing these concerns during an energy audit, not only can energy consumption be reduced, but the overall health and comfort of occupants can also be improved.

The Connection Between Building Health and Energy Efficiency

The relationship between building health and energy efficiency is closely intertwined. Building health refers to the conditions within a building that affect the well-being of its occupants. Several common building health issues have a direct impact on energy efficiency, and addressing them can lead to substantial energy savings.

Air leaks and poor insulation are prime examples. Air leakage through cracks, gaps, and poorly sealed windows or doors can result in significant energy losses as conditioned air escapes and unconditioned air infiltrates the building. Inefficient insulation exacerbates this problem by allowing heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the building. By addressing air leaks and improving insulation, buildings can reduce energy waste and create a more comfortable indoor environment.

Another building health concern affecting energy efficiency is outdated or inefficient HVAC systems. Inefficient heating or cooling systems not only consume more energy but also fail to provide adequate comfort and indoor air quality. By upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC systems, buildings can achieve significant energy savings while enhancing occupant comfort and health.

Poor lighting design and outdated lighting technologies also contribute to energy waste. Inefficient lighting systems consume excessive energy and may create inadequate lighting conditions. By adopting energy-efficient lighting solutions such as LED lighting and incorporating daylighting strategies, buildings can reduce energy consumption while improving lighting quality and occupant well-being.

Mold and moisture problems are yet another building health issue that impacts energy efficiency. Moisture intrusion, condensation, and mold growth can compromise the building envelope and HVAC systems, leading to increased energy consumption and potential health hazards. Energy audits help in identifying moisture-related issues and recommending remediation strategies to prevent further energy waste and maintain a healthy indoor environment.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns are paramount to building health and occupant well-being. Poor IAQ can result from several factors such as inadequate ventilation, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and allergens. Energy audits can assess the ventilation systems, identify sources of air pollution, and suggest measures to improve IAQ while minimizing energy losses.

By addressing these building health issues during energy audits, building owners and managers can simultaneously improve energy efficiency and create healthier environments for occupants.

Energy Audit Process

There are normally numerous steps in the energy audit process. Pre-audit preparations involve gathering building information, obtaining utility bills, and arranging the audit. Data gathering, measurements, and inspections of various building components are all part of the on-site examination. Following data collection, analysis is done to determine patterns in energy consumption and potential areas for energy savings. The energy auditor compiles a thorough report with recommendations for increasing energy efficiency based on the results, ranking the recommendations in order of impact and cost-effectiveness.

Implementing Energy Efficiency Improvements

After receiving the energy audit report, building owners can prioritize and implement the recommended energy efficiency measures. The measures can vary depending on the specific needs and characteristics of the building. Some common energy-saving measures include improving insulation and air sealing, upgrading HVAC systems, adopting energy-efficient lighting solutions, and integrating smart building technologies.

Insulation and air sealing play a critical role in reducing energy waste by minimizing heat transfer through the building envelope. Adding insulation to walls, attics, and floors, and sealing air leaks can significantly improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Upgrading HVAC systems to more energy-efficient models or optimizing the existing systems through maintenance and retrofitting can lead to substantial energy savings. Energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment, combined with smart thermostats and advanced control systems, can enhance comfort while reducing energy consumption.

Lighting accounts for a significant portion of a building’s energy usage. Replacing inefficient lighting technologies with energy-efficient options, such as LED bulbs, can result in significant energy savings and improved lighting quality.

Smart building technologies, including occupancy sensors, advanced energy management systems, and building automation systems, offer further opportunities for energy savings. These technologies optimize energy usage based on occupancy, occupancy patterns, and external conditions, ensuring energy is used efficiently while maintaining occupant comfort.

Calculating Return on Investment (ROI)

When considering energy efficiency improvements, it is essential to evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of each measure. Energy audits often provide estimates of the potential energy and cost savings associated with recommended measures. By comparing the upfront costs of implementing the measures with the projected savings over their lifespan, building owners can make informed decisions regarding the most cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades.

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

Throughout the journey of energy audits and energy efficiency improvements, valuable lessons have been learned and best practices have emerged. It is crucial to share these insights and experiences to facilitate knowledge exchange and promote effective approaches to energy efficiency in buildings. Some key lessons and best practices include conducting regular energy audits, engaging occupants in energy-saving initiatives, considering life cycle costs rather than solely focusing on upfront expenses, and staying updated on emerging technologies and energy-saving strategies.

Conclusion

Energy audits are powerful tools for enhancing both energy efficiency and building health. By identifying energy-saving opportunities and addressing building health concerns, energy audits contribute to cost savings, reduced environmental impact, improved occupant comfort, and healthier indoor environments. Building owners, managers, and occupants could leverage energy audits to create sustainable buildings that prioritize energy efficiency and occupant well-being. It is imperative that we recognize the connection between building health and energy efficiency and take proactive steps to improve both for a greener and healthier future.

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If you are looking for an expert Commercial Energy Audit and Benchmark Compliance consultancy, look no further! Contact us at Vertpro.com! We are an award-winning Energy Benchmarking and Audit Consultancy, recognized on Inc. 5000, providing innovative SaaS technology-based solutions for Building Owners & Property Managers to Simplify Energy Compliance with all 50+ Energy Benchmarking & Energy Efficiency Laws Nationwide. From Energy Benchmarking to Energy Audits/RCx Plus, Building Upgrades and Construction Marketplace, VertPro® has you covered.

July 7, 2023
How Energy Audits Can Boost Commercial Building Performance

As businesses across the world strive to become more eco-friendly, many are turning their attention to energy efficiency. Energy audits are a critical tool in the effort to reduce your business’s environmental footprint and get the most from your building.

By examining how resources such as electricity, gas, and water are used in commercial buildings, energy audit processes can reveal invaluable information about how these resources can be managed for maximum savings without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

Let’s look at some ways an energy audit may boost the performance of energy efficiency upgrades in any commercial building.

What are energy audits?

Energy audits are assessments of the energy use in a building. An auditor looks at how much energy is used, where it’s used, and what can be done to reduce the overall energy consumption and improve efficiency.

Audits provide detailed data which helps identify potential improvement areas and pinpoint savings opportunities. They also provide guidance on ways to enhance comfort and energy efficiency improvements, increase safety, and reduce operating systems and equipment costs.

Energy audits can range from basic walk-throughs that capture a snapshot of current conditions to more in-depth analyses covering all aspects of mechanical and electrical systems within a facility or an entire campus. Auditors may use tools such as infrared cameras, blower door tests, computer simulations, or other diagnostic equipment to assess energy consumption and uncover opportunities for improvement.

Overall, energy audits are used to help identify the most cost-effective ways to reduce a building’s energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. They can be a helpful tool in helping facility managers meet their goals of reducing operating costs while still providing adequate comfort and safety levels.

Energy audits also provide an opportunity to gain valuable insight into the performance of a building’s systems and its potential areas of improvement. Building energy audits and evaluating current conditions can help inform decisions about future investments in equipment or upgrades that may prove beneficial in the long run.

In summary, energy audits are invaluable for facilities looking to save on operating costs, enhance occupant comfort, and improve efficiency. They can help identify areas where improvements and significant energy savings are needed and provide guidance on the most effective ways to implement changes that will lead to long-term savings.

Benefits of an Energy Audit for Your Commercial Building

The following are the benefits of an Energy Audit for Your Commercial Building:

1. Identify areas of inefficiency:

A professional energy audit will analyze your building’s current energy usage and identify potential problem areas where you can save on energy costs. The proper energy audit may uncover problems with insulation, energy efficiency measures, HVAC systems, lighting systems, control systems, or other equipment that can be resolved to reduce your overall operating costs.

2. Improve air quality:

By assessing the air quality inside your commercial building, an energy audit will detect any harmful toxins or allergens present within the space. These contaminants could not only affect the health of employees but also lead to a decrease in productivity if left unaddressed.

3. Reduce operating costs:

An energy audit can provide detailed reports outlining how changes to the building can reduce energy consumption, thereby reducing operating costs for commercial building owners. This could be in the form of installing more efficient appliances and implementing smarter control systems that automatically adjust temperature or lighting depending on occupancy levels.

4. Maximize operational efficiency:

An energy audit can help you maximize operational efficiency by identifying equipment that is not being used effectively and making recommendations for more efficient operation. These efficiency improvements could include replacing old HVAC systems with newer models or optimizing airflow patterns to improve airflow and reduce energy usage.

5. Increase environmental sustainability:

By improving the efficiency of your commercial building, an energy audit will help you decrease your carbon footprint while meeting green building standards. This could involve switching to LED lighting, installing solar panels, or upgrading insulation to save energy and reduce the energy needed to power your building. In addition, reducing emissions will also help you meet local regulations and improve air quality in the area.

6. Develop a long-term energy plan:

An energy audit can provide an in-depth analysis of your current energy consumption patterns and develop a customized plan for reducing operating costs over time. This could involve implementing more efficient operation strategies, such as investing in smart technology or scheduling regular maintenance checks on equipment.

You can also do energy bill analysis and use this information to create budgeting plans that allow you to make strategic investments into green initiatives without breaking the bank.

7. Enhance customer satisfaction:

By improving the efficiency of your commercial building, you can reduce energy and utility bills and create a more comfortable environment for customers. This will lead to enhanced customer satisfaction, which could translate into increased sales or an improved reputation in the business world.

8. Increase the value of your property:

Lastly, making improvements suggested by an energy audit may increase the value of your commercial building. The upgrades made as part of an audit can help you save money on energy costs while also increasing the commercial building owner’s resale value if you ever decide to sell or lease the space.

An energy audit provides many benefits for commercial buildings. By identifying areas where efficiency can be improved, improving air quality, reducing operating costs, maximizing operational efficiency, and increasing environmental sustainability, an energy audit can help you make your building more efficient and increase its value.

Additionally, it can help you develop a long-term energy plan to ensure that you are always meeting your customers’ needs while staying within budget. Doing an energy survey and investing in an energy audit will pay off in the long run!

What Should Commercial Property Owners Look for in an Energy Audit?

As a commercial property owner, it is important to understand the energy efficiency of your building and its systems. A building energy audit assesses the building’s current energy performance, identifies potential wasteful practices, and offers recommendations for improvement.

Here are some tips on what to look for when selecting an energy auditor:

Look for Certified Energy Auditors

The first thing that any commercial property owner should consider is ensuring that the person or organization they choose has been certified by Building Performance Institute (BPI). These organizations train and certify their members as professional inspectors and commercial building energy audit auditors. Certified energy auditors are more qualified than non-certified auditors because they have received specific training in inspecting and evaluating energy efficiency.

Consider Specialty Services Available

A commercial property owner will also want to review any specialty services their potential auditor offers that may not be included in a standard inspection. Many organizations offer these services at an additional cost, such as indoor air quality testing or air leakage tests. Depending on the size of the facility and its specific needs, these added services could be essential for ensuring the building’s health and long-term sustainability.

Understand Any Additional Fees

Many auditors charge additional fees beyond the base rate for their service. These extra costs can include things like travel fees, report fees, equipment rental fees, personnel costs, or setup/testing fees – so make sure you understand what kind of additional expenses you may encounter with your selected auditor.

The good news is that many government programs will reimburse businesses for part or all of these costs if they meet certain criteria. Research these programs before undertaking your audit to see if they might apply to you.

Verify Credibility Through References & Reviews

Finally, everyone–especially business owners responsible for large properties–should check references from past clients before hiring an auditor. Online reviews can also be helpful—on sites like Yelp! For instance—but take them with a grain of salt; sometimes competitors leave negative reviews about each other under fictitious names just to sway customers one way or another.

Asking for references from prior customers is a great way to verify an auditor’s credibility so you can decide who will do the best job vetting your property’s energy efficiency potential.

Conclusion

In conclusion, energy audits can help commercial building owners and operators gain greater insight into how their buildings are performing, pinpoint areas for potential improvement, and take steps to make those improvements. Not only will these changes improve the efficiency of their buildings, but they’ll also save money in the long run. That’s a win-win solution!

Moreover, regular energy auditing improves asset performance. Furthermore, by partnering with an experienced energy audit provider such as VertPro®, building owners can benefit from sophisticated technology, accurate assessment results, detailed data collection, and analysis tools, among other advantages designed to help develop strategic energy management plans suited to individual business needs.

May 4, 2023
Budgeting for Benchmarking and Beyond

Energy Efficiency Costs
Maintaining the Energy Efficiency of your buildings can appear costly when you’re not planning ahead. There’s the yearly Benchmark filing followed by the 5-10 year Audit and RetroCommissioning (RCx) reports and finally the upgrades and projects you need to complete based on the results of your Audits and RCx. While it’s relatively easy to account for the annual filings, the Audit and RCxs can sneak up on you. In the worst-case scenario, one of your building’s operational systems breaks and needs to be repaired or upgraded immediately. If you haven’t set aside the necessary funds, you’ll most likely find yourself in a pinch.

Planning Ahead

“All the things I could do if I had a little money…” – ABBA
One of the easiest, and best, ways to begin budgeting for your Energy needs is to include it in your Capital Expenditures (CapEx). According to Investopedia, capital expenditures are important for two key reasons:
• The funds help to maintain a building and its equipment
• Allows you to “invest in new technology and other assets for growth”
As a reminder, Benchmarking and Audits/RCxs quite literally track your buildings’ Energy consumptions and needs to be upgraded. By this logic, Benchmarking and Audits/RCxs are investments in a building’s maintenance and growth.
There are a few things to consider when setting up your capital expenditures year-to-year. Firstly, your capital expenditures are not to be confused with your operating expenses. The capital expenditures pertain to expenses that do not occur on a regular basis – such as building upgrades. Conversely, operating expenses deal with your regular or frequent expenses – think utility bills and rent. It’s important to keep your capital and operational expenditures separate so as to avoid confusion or issues.
Based on your yearly Benchmark reports, you will see your Energy Score increase, stay the same, or drop. If your building’s Energy Score begins to drop, that’s a good indication to start prepping your CapEx as there’s a high chance that your building’s operations need to be upgraded. Many Audit/RCx deadlines for city and state ordinances fall around the end of the year, so conducting your Audit and planning your capital expenditures go hand-in-hand.
An Audit/RCx conducted by a licensed professional (LP) is the best way to pinpoint the exact cause for your decreased Energy Score. The finalized Audit/RCx report will provide you with areas for improvement and projected costs for those projects that will save you money and energy in the long run. Potential areas of improvement include, but are not limited to, your building’s HVAC, Lighting, Automation, and Solar systems. Based on these findings, your company will be able to implement a minimum and maximum budget to encompass immediate and maintenance expenses. Investopedia states that common capital expenditure plans are “constructed to over a period of five to 10 years” thus serving as “a company’s ‘five-year plan’ or long-term goals.” As Audits and RCx are only conducted every 5-10 years, it is pertinent that you’re including the head of daily operations in CapEx discussions for your building as they are the most knowledgeable on building issues and repairs. By consulting an LP and your head of daily operations will ensure that the appropriate funds are allocated for your capital expenditures.

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.” – Russell Baker

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Surviving the Summer Heat
Summer heat is in full swing and rising, but that doesn’t mean your energy bills have to increase. There are still many ways to stay cool without racking up the costs. Monitoring your AC and fans’ usage is one of the simplest ways to be energy efficient. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again if you have a smart thermostat make use of it. The Department of Energy found that setting your thermostat 7-10 degrees lower than the outdoor temperature can save up to 10% on AC expenses each year. With that in mind, set your thermostat to kick in when it reaches a certain temperature – for example, 78 degrees – and be sure to turn this feature off when no one’s home to ensure energy is not being wasted cooling an empty home. Keep in mind that the lower the temperature setting, the lower the settings so if you’re at 72 degrees, then you’ll only be saving up to 3% on AC expenses. You also want to be sure that your AC vents are regularly cleaned and dust-free to ensure optimal airflow. If the AC vents are dusty, it’s going to block the cool air trying to get out and you’ll find yourself trying to lower the temperature more and more to feel the effects. The lower the setting, the more your AC is going to have to work and the higher your energy bills.
According to the Department of Energy, 90% of the energy from incandescent lights is actually just the heat with the remaining 10% being actual light. Crazy right? Needless to say, if you’re using incandescent lighting, you might want to keep those off and use natural lighting while the sun’s out unless you want to raise the room’s temperature. A better option would be to switch to LED lighting as they generally give off low amounts of heat. There’s the added bonus that in comparison to incandescent lighting, LEDs use significantly less energy and last significantly longer – 75% less and 25 times longer respectively. Switching to LED will ensure no additional heat is being generated while helping you save money. It’s a win-win.

Moving Past COVID

Many cities have begun to reopen and resume normal operations thus resulting in the reinforcement of Energy ordinances and programs*. As many cities and states start to reinstate their original, pre-pandemic Benchmark and Audit/RCx deadlines, it is important to note that there will also be less leniency. That means, deadlines will be enforced and penalties will be distributed as cities and states see fit. Vert Energy Group has continued to work through these unprecedented times to ensure we’re staying up-to-date with any and all changes made to the various nationwide Energy ordinances. If you’re finding yourself in the position to begin filing again, we’re here for you. Head over to VertPro.com to begin meeting your Benchmark, Audit, and RCx, and/or building upgrade needs. If you’re unsure if your city or state has reinstated your local Energy programs, our support team can help you via email at support@vertpro.com and by phone at 800-585-2690.
*Please note at the time of drafting this section things were beginning to open up. Check with your city’s or state’s guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
Fun Fact: In Northern Australia, the first Monday in August marks the public holiday “Picnic Day

Danielle’s Corner
Back-to-School Season…
August marks back-to-school season! Hopefully the activities I shared in our June and July Vert Report helped keep your little ones occupied all summer long. Now I’m here to help you face the back-to-school shopping nightmare. When I was a struggling college student, I used to hit up my local malls to see what deals they had going on. Pre-COVID, the Irvine Spectrum in Irvine, CA used to handed out little booklets full of coupons to use at participating stores and restaurants and held summer night events in August. This provided a great way to stock up on back-to-school supplies and clothes while getting your grub on and attending fun events. The Irvine Spectrum has yet to announce any fun back-to-school event, but you can always do your own little celebration to make the process fun for your kiddos.
Start your day off hitting the back-to-school sales and reward yourself and/or your family with a yummy meal out. And remember, shop for EnergySTAR certified electronics to ensure energy efficiency year-round. If you’re unsure if a product is EnergyStar certified simply look for the official logo or double-check the EnergySTAR website. If you spot any great back-to-school deals for EnergyStar products, share them with the Vert Energy Group community on our Facebook and LinkedIn or find us on Instagram. We’re all one big community, so let’s continue to help one another out!

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Search by Zip to Find Applicable Energy Laws

There are over 30 cities/states with Energy Benchmark requirements – 16 have Energy Audit requirements as well! Use this free tool to check if your building has an upcoming Energy Benchmark or Energy Audit deadline.
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August 4, 2021