Energy Audits

A commercial energy audit conducted by MWE2 is a critical step towards understanding how energy is being used, how it is being wasted, and how you can take control of future price increases.  MWE2’s engineers conduct their audits in accordance with the standards developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and include Preliminary Energy Use Analysis, Level I – Walk-Through Analysis, Level II – Energy Survey and Engineering Analysis, and Level III – Detailed Analysis of Capital-Intensive Modifications. All levels of effort are led by a vendor-neutral licensed professional engineer (PE) with extensive experience in the energy efficiency industry, and not by a vendor hoping to sell you a product.

Preliminary Energy Use Analysis

Preliminary analysis is a critical first step in the auditing process and involves analyzing the facility’s historical energy use, benchmarking the building, and performing a utility rate analysis to pinpoint any cost saving opportunities.  The benchmarking can usually be completed using the EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager, which allows our engineers to determine what level of effort should be employed for your facility. If you benchmark and determine your building is operating in a highly efficient manner, than earning the Energy Star Label would be a logical step.

ASHRAE Level I - Walk-through Analysis

A Level I audit includes the preliminary energy use analysis described above, but also includes a site visit by an MWE2 engineer and a report detailing low-cost/no-cost measures and potential capital improvements for further study.  An ASHRAE Level I audit also satisfies one of the pre-requisite requirements for the USGBC’s LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance.

ASHRAE Level II - Energy Survey and Analysis  

A Level II audit includes the preliminary energy use analysis and ASHRAE Level I analysis, but also includes more detailed energy calculations and financial analysis of proposed energy efficiency measures.  The financial analysis or Life Cycle Analysis allows the facility owner to truly understand the financial benefits of installing energy efficient measures.  An ASHRAE Level II audit can also earn additional points for LEED for Existing Buildings: O&M.

ASHRAE Level III – Detailed Analysis of Capital-Intensive Modifications

A Level III analysis is a further expansion from the previous levels of effort and is based on the facility representative’s selection of measures to analyze further.  This may include further refinement of an energy model or more extensive data collection.

For more information about any of the levels of effort described above please contact us today at (619) 889-6830.