Educational Series: Energy Audits
The Community Energy Advisors together with Energility hosted an Educational Series luncheon on the importance of performing energy audits, especially as energy costs continue to rise to historic highs. Rick Davidson and Claire Wilson, of the Community Energy Advisors, presented on the importance of tracking, reducing, neutralizing, and finally removing energy usage throughout business facilities. Justin Kale, of Energility, presented on ASHRAE energy audits and touched upon some of the specific interventions that can be implemented to help reduce energy usage.
Why are energy audits so important right now and what are some of the ways you can reduce energy costs today? Read on to learn more.
What is an Energy Audit?
An energy audit, whether for commercial or industrial facilities, first examines your current usage and energy costs to identify areas of improvement. This often begins by having the Community Energy Advisors review your current electricity and gas bills to determine what rates you are paying and how much energy your facility is using. An ASHRAE Level 1, 2, or 3 audit performed by Energility will then provide a more thorough understanding of how the energy entering your facility is being used – or wasted.
Developing an Energy Plan
Once you have identified not only how your facility is using energy (and what rates you’re paying) but also potential areas for improvement, an energy audit will then create a plan for reducing your energy costs and usage. This may include improving your energy procurement strategy – seeing where you source your energy and how much you’re paying for it – and/or updating your facility to make it more energy efficient. Facility updates often include installing more efficient lighting fixtures, light sensors, and thermostats or updating the building itself to prevent energy leakage.
Once you have reduced your energy usage as much as you can, your energy plan may then identify ways to improve your energy sustainability by relying on renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, or buying Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that will ensure the energy you use is generated from renewable sources. While many facilities move to green energies in order to improve sustainability, they have the added benefit of significantly reducing long-term energy costs.
*Individual savings will vary based on facility size, energy usage, etc.
Statewide Incentives for Becoming More Energy Efficient
The State of Ohio has several programs available for businesses seeking to improve their energy efficiency and sustainability. The State Energy Program provides offers rebates on ASHRAE Level 2 audits, covering from 50-90% of the costs associated with performing the audit and/or implementing the energy savings technologies. The State of Ohio’s Energy Loan Fund (ELF) also provides low-interest financing for installing efficiency measures that reduce energy usage by at least 15 percent.
Chamber Energy Program
The Chamber Energy Program was created through a partnership with the Community Energy Advisors, who help our members save on energy costs by monitoring their energy rates. This program also includes access to the Chamber Sustainability Program, provided by Viridi, assisting Chamber members in achieving their sustainability goals through efficiency, LED lighting, solar, and Renewable Energy Certificates. Energility, one of the Chamber’s newest members, performs energy audits for businesses to identify and implement improved energy technologies.
Contact the Community Energy Advisors at (330) 721-8000 or complete the inquiry form linked below to learn more about our Chamber Energy Program.
Contact Justin Kale at justin@energility.com to learn more about his energy audit services.
