‘An ASHRAE energy audit, or American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers energy
audit, is usually the first step to improve energy efficiency in facilities, ASHRAE energy audits are one of the best
practices for energy survey end analysis for the energy service industry, according to Smart Watt. There are 3
levels of an ASHRAE energy audit and each level has its own standards.
Preliminary Energy Use Analysis
This is the most basic energy audit, involving "an analysis of historic energy use and costs,’ according to Smart
Watt. Energy auditors will use this information to compare to similar facilities to decide whether future
engineering study and analysis can help improve eneray efficiency and produce significant energy savings.
ASHRAE Level 1: Walk-Through Analysis
+ Goal: identify low-cost or no-cost opportunities for energy savings and areas of energy waste
+ Activities:
+ Interviews with facility managers and staffs
+ Review utility bills
* Inspect the facility (or facilities)
Some places may combine preliminary energy use analysis with walk-through analysis, but the tasks include in
these steps are basically the same across different companies.
ASHRAE Level 2: Energy Survey and Analysis
+ Goal: according to the Association for Energy Atfordebility, ASHRAE level 2 energy audits provide a more
detailed building characteristics survey as well as an energy usage and cost analysis using available
information, statistics, and testing
+ Activities: according to the U.S. Department of Energy and Association for Eneray Affordability, within
level 2, energy auditors typically conduct
+ Various diagnostic testing, including lighting level assessment, air flow and temperature measurements,
solar shading analysis, electrical testing, duct leakage testing, combustion anelysis, steady state
efficiency testing etc,
+ “An energy model or building simulation and engineering calculations in order to create a detailed and
cost effective scope of work"
At the end of this level, eneray engineers will draft out proposed energy saving plans, listing “any potential
capital-intensive improvements that require more thorough data collection and engineering analysis,” which will
be the main tasks for a level 3 audit. The potential costs and savings will also be provided along with the level 2
audit
ASHRAE Level 3: Detailed Analysis of Capital Intensive Modifications+ Goal: according to Newman Consulting Group, an ASHRAE level 3 energy audit focuses on the capital-
intensive improvements identified during the level 2 analysis, and the building owner will receive
“comprehensive energy models and a detailed report with project costs, expected savings, and a
thorough life cycle cost analysis"
+ Activities: according to McNaughton-McKay Electric Company and Association for Energy Affordability,
during the level 3 analysis, energy auditors will typically:
* Collect long-term trend data and information about the building's energy management
+ Perform calculations on a computer program with a very accurate model to determine "the way the
brick-and-mortar building would respond to changes in the energy systems"
With these 3 levels, facility managers and building owners are able to make informed investment decisions on
the buildings’ energy systems.