What is an Energy Audit?

What is an energy audit?

You conduct an energy audit when you want to find out what your consumption is. An energy audit can be done on many different types of things your building consumes. This includes water, HVAC, electricity, etc. When we refer to an energy audit we are talking about electricity in relation to lights and lighting solutions.

As the audit takes a look at what your consumption is, it outlines things you may not have even thought to include. For example, with a lighting energy audit, in addition to calculating the amount your lighting is costing you power-wise, we look at associated costs. A great example of this is bulb replacement. With bulb replacement, you do not just have the cost of the physical bulb. You also have to include the man hours needed as well the cost of any equipment (ex. a lift) that has to be rented to change the bulb.

In addition to outlining what your current lighting solution is costing you, the energy audit also lays out the costs and benefits of different solutions. It also outlines the next steps that you can take with your building’s lights. For example, should you change your Chubbys to LEDs? Your T12s to T8s? An energy audit helps you feel comfortable with your decisions as they will be backed up by data.

Why would a building need an energy audit?

Instead of just doing a full building lighting retrofit for the sake of doing one, an energy audit helps you make the best decision and get the best return on your investment.

For example, though this isn’t in the lighting realm, a building we work with was looking to change their furnace. They did an energy audit and gained some valuable insights from it. They found out that while the High Efficiency Furnace saved them on heating costs in the long run, it needed a lot more maintenance than a regular Efficient Furnace. In fact, the maintenance cost so much that there were no discernable savings in getting a High Efficiency machine. Therefore, the building installed a regular Efficient Machine. These types of data-backed decisions are why you get an energy audit done.

Another reason to get an energy audit done is if you are interested in upgrading your lights. LEDs are the new ‘sexy’ technology on the block, but you have to be sure it is worth the investment.

Finally, a good reason to get an energy audit done is if you are looking for a way to cut costs. Though it is a long-term plan, calculating what your cost savings could be by changing to a newer bulb technology is a good way to begin figuring out what you can do to cut costs.

Who should get an energy audit?

Anyone that owns property and is interested in saving on costs associated with that property should consider an energy audit. This includes Retail Property, Residential Property, Commercial Property, Facilities, Restaurants, and Outdoor Space Property owners. Also, if you are interested in offsetting your energy footprint, an energy audit and the suggestions that result from it is a good way to get started on the path.

When is the best time to get an energy audit?

A lot of property owners and property managers will get an energy audit done when something prompts them to. For example, they receive notice that the cost of power is going up, or they hear about a new bulb technology. Another great time to get one done is when an old tenant moves out and before a new tenant moves in. Sometimes new tenants who have a green mandate at their company will request that an energy audit gets done – and a subsequent lighting retrofit – in the terms of their lease agreement.  

In Calgary, it is important to note that we have a slim window for when we can do outside work. In order to make sure that work is completed in this window, you want to make sure that your audit is done in advance of it. For example, with a large building – for example, Bankers Hall – you would typically get the retrofit 2 to 3 months after your audit was completed. This is because it can take a while to push it through the approvals process. With smaller buildings, for example, a corner store on 17^th Ave, the approvals process is a lot shorter and the work can be done more quickly.

Where can I get an energy audit?

This is a service we offer at Calgary Lighting Products. Our team will come and assess your building (ex. how many lights you have, the amount of power they draw, different labor costs associated with lighting etc.). We will then let you know what your ‘Energy Score’ is. We also include a series of next steps or options for you, which outline how you can improve this score.

Not sure where to start? Sign up for a FREE energy audit from our lighting experts and take the first step to improve your ‘Energy Score’.