Performing a business energy audit allows a company to take stock of its energy performance and to implement a set of essential actions to reduce its energy consumption. These initiatives enable it to reduce its energy costs, but also to reduce its impact on the environment. How does an energy audit take place? Here is an energy audit guide with all the steps to make your diagnosis as profitable as possible.
1. Data collection
Collecting the business energy audit data is the first step in the energy audit of existing buildings. The auditor takes into account criteria such as the surface area of the buildings, the energies used by the company and the uses of its occupants, and the energy bills.
The data collection enables the company’s energy profile to be drawn up. It can be completed by several interviews with members of the company.
2. Analysis of energy data
After collecting the data, the auditor proceeds to an analysis of this information. These are in-depth studies, which are generally performed using specific tools. It is on the basis of this analysis that the organization appointed to perform the energy audit will be able to propose an action plan to improve the company’s energy efficiency.
3. Writing an audit report
The auditing company provides the sponsoring company with a complete report including the following elements:
- the energy balance sheet of the company ;
- the avenues for improving energy performance, on which it is possible to reduce costs;
- a simulation of the areas in which it is possible to improve building management methods to reduce environmental impact
The auditing organization then takes the time to present the mentioned elements to the company. Some data can indeed be complex to grasp.
After the energy audit: how to improve the performance of buildings?
Businesses that have performed an energy audit must file a report on the ADEME site.
But the statutory energy audit is above all a means of implementing actions to improve the performance of buildings. To do this, companies can start thermal renovation work, commission more detailed studies or install new electrical systems, combined with software to measure energy consumption.
In many cases, the technology can be used to develop new methods of building management. This must of course be adapted to the different activities of the company.
Energy audit guide: which companies are concerned by the statutory energy audit obligation?
Environmental policies are increasingly encouraging the reduction of energy consumption in business buildings, notably through the introduction of the obligation to perform a statutory energy audit. This applies to companies with more than 250 employees. The regulation provides a framework for mandatory energy audits via the NF 16247 standard.
Implementing the investments mentioned in the energy audit report can enable the business energy audit to perform nearly 30% energy savings.