Energy Professional Assessment
Types of Energy Assessments
Energy assessments are structured evaluations designed to analyze energy use and identify efficiency opportunities across residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional settings. The most common types include:
Preliminary Assessment – A basic walk-through to identify obvious inefficiencies and low-cost improvements.
General Energy Audit (Level 1) – A standard audit with utility analysis and initial energy-saving recommendations.
Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2) – A comprehensive study with on-site measurements, cost-benefit analysis, and capital improvement suggestions.
Investment-Grade Audit (Level 3) – A high-detail audit used for financial planning and performance contracts, including ROI and risk analysis.
Home Energy Assessment – Tailored for homeowners, focusing on comfort, insulation, HVAC, and appliance efficiency.
Industrial Energy Assessment – Targets process optimization in manufacturing, including equipment efficiency and waste heat recovery.
Renewable Energy Assessment – Evaluates the feasibility of solar, wind, or other renewable systems through site analysis and financial modeling.
These assessments support informed decision-making, cost savings, and sustainability initiatives.
1. Preliminary Energy Assessment (Walk-Through Audit)
Description:
A basic, low-cost assessment that provides a general overview of energy use and identifies obvious areas for improvement.
Includes:
- Visual inspection of building systems (lighting, HVAC, insulation, etc.)
- Review of utility bills (usually 12 months)
- Identification of low-cost/no-cost energy-saving opportunities
- General recommendations for further analysis
2. General Energy Audit (Level 1 ASHRAE)
Description:
A more detailed version of the walk-through audit, following ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Level 1 standards.
Includes:
- Utility bill analysis
- Basic building and system data collection
- Identification of energy conservation measures (ECMs)
- Rough estimates of savings and implementation costs
3. Detailed Energy Audit (Level 2 ASHRAE)
Description:
A comprehensive assessment that provides a deeper analysis of energy use and savings potential.
Includes:
- Detailed utility analysis and benchmarking
- On-site measurements and data logging
- Engineering analysis of building systems
- Detailed list of ECMs with cost-benefit analysis
- Recommendations for capital improvements
4. Investment-Grade Audit (Level 3 ASHRAE)
Description:
The most thorough audit, used to justify major capital investments or performance contracts.
Includes:
- Extensive data collection and monitoring
- Detailed financial analysis (ROI, payback period, NPV)
- Engineering-grade calculations
- Risk assessment and sensitivity analysis
- Often used for Energy Performance Contracting (EPC)
5. Home Energy Assessment (Residential Energy Audit)
Description:
Tailored for homeowners to improve comfort and reduce utility bills.
Includes:
- Blower door test (to detect air leaks)
- Thermographic inspection (infrared camera)
- Review of insulation, windows, HVAC, and appliances
- Personalized energy-saving recommendations
6. Industrial Energy Assessment
Description:
Focused on manufacturing and industrial facilities, often supported by government or utility programs.
Includes:
- Analysis of process energy use (motors, compressors, boilers)
- Review of production schedules and equipment efficiency
- Identification of process optimization opportunities
- Waste heat recovery and demand-side management
Renewable Energy Assessment
Description:
Evaluates the feasibility of integrating renewable energy sources.
Includes:
- Site analysis (solar exposure, wind patterns, etc.)
- Load profile and energy demand analysis
- System sizing and design recommendations
- Financial modeling (incentives, payback, etc.)
