You never want to overspend when hiring an energy auditor, so having an understanding of the process is key to getting the best, high-quality energy audit without spending more time and money than necessary.

 

Unfortunately, there are many people who believe that they can create a report themselves if they obtain the proper tools. The outcome is usually an inaccurate energy audit. Whether you are performing an energy audit to help meet carbon reduction standards or just to save money and energy, you’ll want to get your audi done right the first time.

 

 

What Does and Energy Auditor Do?

  • Reviews the energy use and occupancy within your facility
  • Provides you with best practices for your facility’s energy use
  • Helps develop a plan with cost estimates

 

You have to understand that there are different types of audits for different types of buildings, including commercial, home, and industrial buildings.

 

 

The Hiring Process

When you contract for an audit, you are hiring an auditor that will provide you with professional auditing services. This means that you need to find a person who is qualified for the job.

 

1. Find Your Auditor

For starters, you’ll want to ask around for referrals, as we all know that it is easiest to trust a professional if someone you trust trusts that professional and has built a good rapport with them. If you don’t have a close friend or trusted colleague that has hired an energy auditor, we recommend asking the company that provides your utilities, as they typically have qualified consultants to provide energy audit services.

 

2. Fill Out an RFQ

Prepare an RFQ and make sure to ask a few necessary questions, such as “How have your audits equated to better energy efficiency or savings?”, or “Have you performed an audit on buildings similar to mine?”

 

Make sure to look for certifications as well, as you want to make sure that the energy auditor you are hiring hs some level of certification. These certifications include, Professional Engineer (P.E.), ASHRAE Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP), AEE Certified Energy Manager (CEM), and more.

 

  1. Read About Their Capabilities

Remember, an energy audit is performed to better energy efficiency. It requires a multi-disciplinary understanding of different energy systems, such as HVAC, lighting, building envelope, controls, plug loads, etc. It also requires an understanding of behavior within the building, as some buildings operate much differently than others.

 

You’ll want you particular energy auditor to have familiarity with the latest practices and be able to implement plans for your best interests.

 

 

Make Sure To Do Your Homework

Once you have gathered your list and you have an understanding of the auditors out there, you can begin making your calls. Make sure to get in touch with any references first to shorten the process if possible. Retrieve the results, expertise, accuracy reports, and any other necessary information from the energy auditor so that you know they can make a legitimate audit for your building.

 

Have you ever had to hire an energy auditor for your building before? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments!