ASHRAE Level 1, 2 and 3 Energy Audits
ASHRAE Level 1, 2 and 3 Energy Audits
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has published widely accepted standards for performing energy audits. There are three (3) levels as follows:
Level 1 – Walk-through Audit. Walk-through audits provide a “first cut” assessment of energy savings; they’re especially valuable to smaller facilities with simple production and distribution systems, and facilities that have never received an energy audit. While walk-through audits lack a detailed analysis of potential energy efficiency measures (and only sometimes include rough pay-back period estimates), they reliably include relatively simple and immediately affordable recommendations—such as changes in operation timing (based on utility rate schedules), and upgrades to lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), and pumping equipment. For a small facility, a walk-through audit can be completed in 2-6 hours by an experienced auditor. The written report will be a summary of the various energy saving opportunities identified called energy conservation measures (ECM) along with some suggestions on implementation.
Level 2 – Detailed Audit. Detailed audits are much more in-depth, and normally require extensive measurements, data logging, engineering calculations and financial analysis. Level 2 audits are the most cost-effective for mid-size and large facilities that lack in-house resources to investigate energy efficiency opportunities. They are also most appropriate when management desires actionable information supported by solid technical and financial analysis. Level 2 audits often involve equipment field tests, inventorying equipment energy performance data, creating energy profiles for equipment and systems, discussing potential O&M changes, and evaluating potential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. A written report is provided that includes categorization of energy usage, weather and/or production normalization of energy consumption, utility tariff analysis, and detailed analysis of each energy conservation measure (ECM) identified.
Level 3 – Investment Grade Audit. The investment grade audit covers everything included in the Level 2 audit along with the addition of whole building software energy modeling, and other sophisticated methods sometimes necessary for large projects requiring rigorous financial analysis such as projects that are funded by third parties.
