The 6 principles that when applied will help ensure your audit is a success
Despite the pained look on my face in the video below (what did I eat?!) the 6 principles of undertaking an energy audit aren’t that hard to digest. The video provides an explanation of each. In summary they are:
- Aligns with, and focuses on energy user needs and expectations.
- Accurate, as budget permits
- Transparent and honest
- Complete
- Clear
- Current
You can also download an info-graph summarising these principles, in the resources section below.
– Accuracy in identifying and quantifying the savings and the cost associated with is the main principle as was mentioned at the beginning of the video.
In my personal opinion, the other principle that would be worth considering through a successful audit is:
– completely familiarizing with what the building is used for and occupants’ energy-related routines and preferences which help to not only compromise the occupants’ thermal comfort level after the energy advice being conducted but also make the clients be happier with the auditing process.
I guess you could summarize this as being “thorough” – which aligns with the principle of being complete; in order to be complete you need to understand how the building is used.
– Involve the client in the process: coming up with several approaches to save energy, sharing with the client along with the saving and cost estimations for each approach, asking them to give their insight on and to choose from.
Yes, engaging with the energy user is very important!
A successful energy audit should be supported and promoted by the client upon delivery to ensure implementation of energy saving measures by the client in a timely manner.
In addition to be accurate, an energy audit should have some measures easy to implement so the process can be started quickly.
Yes – quick wins – easy to implement measures that deliver good savings – are important in getting greater organisational support and interest in energy efficiency, along with a willingness to invest further.
Timely
Meets or exceeds scope offered.
Practical
Documented so that it is repeatable ( no “black box” calculations)
Engages customer
Knowledgable in the facility you are doing audits
Consult client for expectations, budget and timeline during the scoping process
Involve key decision makers when doing energy audits
Consult staff members and contractors on energy-saving measures and recommendations
Assist client and contractors with energy-saving measures implementation.
Principles
1. Be accurate (relative to the extent procured or required)
2. Maintain candor (where uncertainty exists, where expertise is stretched, “what you would want to know, knowing what you know, if you were in your clients shoes”)
3. Be transparent (dependencies, assumptions, inputs, data gaps, limitations)