Information on Energy Analyses/Audits

I was recently contacted about the possibility of involving students in local energy audits/LEED certifications. 

These resources are intended to quickly familiarize you with basic commercial, institutional, and to some extent, residential, energy evaluation processes.  

 

Types of information gathered in a basic commercial audit

  1. Most recent electricity bill - You will need one bill to begin, however, the end analysis and recommendations will be more accurate if you have copies of your bill for the past 12 months.
  2. Most recent gas bill - You should use one bill to begin, however, the end analysis and recommendations will be more accurate if you have copies of your bill for the past 12 months. 
  3. General information - number of employees, age of building, type of business
  4. Building data - insulation quality, building size, number of windows
  5. Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling Systems - type, age, temperature settings.
  6. Water Heating - tanks sizes, ages, and types
  7. Refrigeration - age, condition, size of refrigeration equipment
  8. Lighting - type, size, wattage for indoor and outdoor
  9. Cooking Equipment - type and age
  10. Office Equipment- number, type of computers, terminals, copiers
  11. Laundry Equipment - general questions about laundry equipment
  12. Pools & Spas - size, type, heat sources
  13. Elevators & Escalators - number and type
  14. Seasonal loads - add in any type of equipment you may use on a seasonal basis (like irrigation, for example).
  15. Other Major Loads - add in any type of other equipment you may use that uses gas or electricity and has not been covered in another section.
     

Quick and Easy Energy Audit for Small Business

(from the MI State Energy Office)

bullet click here...
bullet more resources from DLEG

How to Collect and Examine your Building Data

bullet click here (large PDF file)
bulletincludes a helpful section on selecting an energy auditor

Public Building Energy Efficiency Resources (State of Michigan)

bullet http://www.michigan.gov/cis/0,1607,7-154-25676_25689---,00.html

Sample Audit Report:  Residential

bullet http://www.energydepot.com/touchstone/r41/audit/sample.asp
(offers on-line audit which requires 1-time registration and at least 1 month of gas and elec. bill info)
bulletweb-based do-it-yourself energy audit
bulletBill Kingsbury's home energy evaluation

LEED addresses 5 areas of human and environmental health:

bulletenergy efficiency
bulletsustainable site development
bulletwater savings
bulletmaterials selection
bulletindoor environmental quality.

Example of LEED:  Existing Buildings
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=221

Energy Star

bulletGuidelines for energy management:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=guidelines.guidelines_index
 
Guidelines for Energy Management

 

Lighting

bulletLithonia's "Economic Viewer" from Shannon  click here...

 

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