Advice for performing an energy audit in companies

What is an energy audit?

It is a thorough analysis of energy consumption that is intended to find areas where improvements can be implemented to increase energy efficiency, by reviewing  all the systems and processes that consume energy, from lighting to heating and industrial machinery.

This study will detect opportunities to improve the quality and effectiveness of  processes, saving energy and spending on electricity and gas bills , and guaranteeing compliance with  government regulations, because, in  many countries including Spain, companies are subject to regulations and controls that require them to carry out energy audits and reduce their energy consumption, to satisfy national and European climate goals.

How do companies carry out energy audits?

The main aspects to take into consideration when performing an energy audit include planning it in advance, defining the objectives and scope of the audit, and ensuring that all departments are involved, because every part of the company consumes energy, among other key points:

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It is vital to count on the experience of  qualified professionals who are familiar with the energy sector. These specialists are trained to identify energy inefficiencies with precision, suggest viable technical solutions, and guarantee that their recommendations are fully compliant with current standards. What is more, an experienced auditor can provide an unbiased and strategic vision of how energy management within an organisation can be improved.

Gather relevant information

This is one  of the first steps to take in an energy audit process. The company’s energy consumption data   contains information about its energy bills, the use of equipment, and current operating procedures. It is essential to analyse the energy consumption of different areas in detail, such as lighting, heating, ventilation, cooling, machinery, and IT. This is data that will enable the auditors to obtain a clear view of where and how energy is used, and which areas require attention.

Once all of the information has been gathered a detailed assessment of the energy consumption in each area of the company is prepared, to identify patterns of consumption, demand spikes and areas where energy ,might be being wasted. The most common cases revealed by these audits  include: excessive energy consumption in climate control systems during  working hours, or the unnecessary use of lighting in unoccupied spaces.

Identifying opportunities for improvement

The main objective of an energy audit in business is to find those areas where improvements can be made to make them more efficient. The action plan can range from basic  changes such as  installing timers or motion sensors for lighting, to updating equipment which is obsolete for others with more efficient technology. They can also include changes in how companies operate, in their production processes, or in more suitable programming of how the equipment  is used or redistributing  electrical loads.

Taking renewable energies into account

Besides serving to identify inefficiencies and weaknesses in industrial processes, an energy audit helps to  spot opportunities for adopting sources of renewable energy, like the installation of solar panels or biomass systems, which can enable companies to reduce their overall reliance on conventional energy and reduce their carbon footprint. In addition, implementing sustainable practices and procedures will not only improve the organisation’s image, but it can also  generate savings in the long term by reducing its exposure to fluctuations in the price of energy.

Motivating and involving the workers

Employee participation is vital for the success of any energy efficiency strategy. Workers must be involved in the audit process as well as in the implementation of the improvements. Training and awareness programmes on efficient energy use can help to make sure that a culture of sustainability is adopted at all levels of the organisation. Involving the workers will also help to identify areas that might have gone unnoticed in external audits.

Action plan and follow up

Once the areas for improvement are found, it is essential to create a detailed action  plan that must include specific procedures, deadlines, supervisors for each action, as well as identifying the resources necessary to apply the recommended improvements after the audit. It is also important to set a priority for each action according to its impact on reducing energy consumption and the associated costs.

Alongside this action plan, to ensure that the improvements adopted are producing the expected results, there must be a follow up and monitoring  to analyse metrics that measure the outcome of the changes implemented in energy consumption. The useful  metrics include the energy consumption by each production unit, the reduction of costs revealed in the energy bills , or the reduction of the company’s CO2 emissions. This follow up must be regular so that, if necessary, the measures and processes can be modified to guarantee that the targets  are met as specified  in the business energy audit.

A company’s energy consumption can change over time, because of the addition of new technological resources or machinery, changes in the production processes or fluctuations in the demand for products. This shows that an energy audit is not a static process, but one that needs to be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that energy efficiency is maintained year after year.

The results encourage commitment

Reports, group meetings, and even awareness campaigns for the company’s employees make it possible to share the findings and results of the audit with all levels of the organisation. Informing the  whole team of the results will help to encourage commitment and the transparency  of the energy audit. The clear and sincere reporting of the results will enable the components of the organisation to understand the importance of the measures taken and feel part of the process of change and growth.

An energy audit is a worthwhile investment for any company, as it will  enable it to improve its operating efficiency and help to implement more sustainable processes in its production system. Not only will it help to lower costs, but also to position an organisation as  environmentally responsible.