Since 2015, a government decree has made it mandatory for a number of companies to perform an energy audit. This diagnosis must be renewed every 4 years. It allows to evaluate the energy consumption of large companies and to encourage them to undertake actions to improve their performance.
Which companies are affected by the statutory energy audit?
The mandatory energy audit concerns large companies. Companies with more than 250 employees, or with an annual turnover of more than 50 million euros, are subject to the regulatory requirement. Companies with a consolidated balance sheet of more than 43 million euros are also concerned.
French law and European regulations therefore regulate the consumption of the most energy-intensive companies. According to one estimate, about 5,000 French companies are affected.
Large Enterprises: Audit to Save
It is estimated that performing regular energy audits can save about 50% of a company’s energy costs, depending on the industry. An energy audit is an excellent way to identify areas of expenditure where you can perform energy savings and improve your energy efficiency.
To be sustainable, performing an energy audit should be the starting point for the implementation of an energy strategy for the company.
It can initiate the construction of an energy management system, with the objective of obtaining the iso 5001 certification. Companies covered by this scheme are in fact exempted from an energy audit, as the iso standard has a higher value than the statutory energy audit.
The implementation of an energy management system goes further than the business energy audit. It is more precisely adapted to the specific requirements of the company and its development context.
The scope of an energy management system is broader than that of an energy audit in terms of energy efficiency improvements. It is a strategic device that, moreover, opens the right to the company energy saving certificate (CEE).
How to conduct a business energy audit?
Although it is possible to perform an energy audit for all companies wishing to improve their energy efficiency, the law provides a much more precise framework for the statutory energy audit to which large companies are subject.
Article L233-1 of the Energy Code stipulates that the companies concerned must submit a report containing all the information relating to the obligation to conduct an energy audit. For this, they have at their disposal a platform intended to receive energy audits, on the site of the ademe.
The platform also provides decision-makers with an energy audit analysis grid. It reminds us of the framework defined for the business energy audit, which also corresponds to the information that must appear in the audit report.
The business energy audit includes a data collection phase through a visit of the buildings, an analysis phase of these data, the presentation of possible improvements and finally, an assessment that presents the conclusions.
This analysis grid is particularly useful if you choose to conduct your business energy audit in-house. Nevertheless, the performance of energy audits is regulated by law. To be fully valid, the audit must be conducted by a certified professional.
Once your audit report has been submitted, you will be able to forecast the costs of your various investments and fully commit to the energy improvement strategy of your buildings.