Energy Audits
An Energy Audit is a review of how you use your energy and more importantly where it is being wasted. It is the first step towards energy management and energy cost savings. Non SME’s are legally obliged, under the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and SI 426 of 2014, to have an energy audit carried out by a registered auditor. These initial audits need to be completed by December 2015 and every four years thereafter.
In carrying out an energy audit, we first identify and evaluate all energy uses, and then make recommendations on implementing a strategic energy plan over e years. We rate the recommendations according to investment cost and payback period. We always recommend that the first implementation of any energy management plan focuses on ‘zero investment-energy awareness’. Thereafter, many of the recommendations will pay for themselves through energy savings in a short time frames.
The audit process involves inspecting all areas of the facility identifying energy use and potential energy wastage. Every piece of equipment that consumes electricity is identified and listed. This includes production and process plant, lighting, heating, cooling, computers, office machines, vending machines, water coolers, and other energy consuming devices. As information is gathered patterns of energy use are established.
The audit effectively becomes the road map to energy reduction. Depending on the facility we would agree an energy reduction target for the next three years. Our objective would be to re-audit in four years time even though this is not a legal requirement for SME’s. The European Union (Energy Efficiency) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 426/2014) transpose into Irish law European Directive 2012/27/EU on Energy Efficiency. Under the Regulations, all organisations which are not SMEs (i.e. enterprises which employ fewer than 250 employees and have an annual turnover not exceeding €50,000,000 or annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43,000,000) will either have to carry out an energy audit or have a certified energy or environmental management system in place.
Read more about energy audits in our energy audits brochure:
