How does a company energy audit help you save money?
The costs businesses face these days can be colossal. That's why owners are looking for ways to reduce expenses – one of the most effective steps is to audit electricity consumption. Above all, it provides a comprehensive picture of how a company uses energy and identifies specific actions that, once implemented, can translate into savings of thousands of dollars. Want to know exactly what an energy audit does and how it works? Read our article and see if a building electrical audit is for you.
What is an energy audit in a company?
It's nothing else than comprehensive, technical and economic review of energy consumption throughout the entire facility. This includes installations, machinery, power systems, lighting, heating, ventilation, and other technical equipment. It identifies areas of loss, allowing you to verify what to do next., to reduce consumption energy.
What is an electricity consumption audit?
How does an energy audit in a company begin? accurate inventory, i.e. a list of all devices, installations and systems: lighting, air conditioning, ventilation, machines, heating and cooling systems, production and office equipment.
Then specialists collect historical data, namely invoices and schedules, which provide insight into when and how intensively energy is being consumed. This is complemented by technical measurements and tests, monitoring actual power consumption, analyzing network load, assessing device efficiency, and identifying critical points.
What types of energy audits are there?
There are at least three main types of energy audits in companies:
- review audit (preliminary / walk-through) – a quick overview of installation and consumption, used to identify the simplest sources of savings,
- detailed / general audit – in-depth analysis of energy consumption, technical parameters, installation and consumption over time,
- investment audit (investment-grade / energy efficiency audit), intended for planned modernizations or implementation of renewable sources, includes a comprehensive technical and economic assessment of the projects.
Identifying losses, weak links and savings opportunities
Based on the collected data, experts determine which devices or systems consume the most energy. They verify whether their operation is optimized, whether there are any overloads, and whether individual circuits can be intelligently controlled or their operation improved.
If the object has multiple zones, production, warehouse, office, a company's energy audit breaks down energy consumption into these areas in detail. This allows you to identify which areas are energy-intensive and which could be optimized or equipped with modern systems.
Report with recommendations and profitability calculation
What happens at the end of a company energy audit? A report is created – it contains a diagnosis, a list of observed problems and specific recommendations. These may include replacing outdated equipment, modernizing installations, improving controls, more efficient lighting, optimizing load distribution and operating schedules – with an assessment of potential savings and return on investment.
An electricity audit ensures a company isn't operating in the dark. Owners can make data-driven decisions about upgrades and improvements, improving cost predictability and facilitating budget and investment planning.
Who is an energy consumption audit for – when is it worth doing?
An energy audit in a company always makes sense when:
- the company consumes a lot of energy (production, warehouses, cold stores, air conditioning, hall lighting),
- electricity bills are rising, loads are variable and energy costs constitute a significant part of the operating budget,
- investments are planned, including expansion, modernization, automation, installation of new equipment, production lines, photovoltaic installations, HVAC systems, etc.,
- Sustainable development, reducing the energy and environmental footprint, reducing costs and stabilizing energy consumption in the long term are important for the company.
In a simpler form, an electricity audit in a company can also be valuable even for smaller companies, offices or warehouses.
ATROM Energy, i.e. BMS systems for optimizing energy consumption
As ATROM Energy, we specialize in professional BMS systems for industrial, commercial, service, warehouse and production facilities. The Building Management System is a building management system that automatically controls and integrates installations, resulting in energy savings, safety, and efficient facility operation.
We have a proven solution for energy losses and excessive costs—ATROM BMS. Using this technology, every facility owner can control devices, monitor consumption, and optimize the operation of equipment, machines, and systems.
You can set schedules, disable unnecessary loads, track parameters, and generate reports, among other things. The platform is modular, so it can be tailored to the specific needs of the facility. It offers remote access and control over power, lighting, air conditioning, and technical systems.
Below is an example table that shows how the BMS system works in practice.
| Category / Area | What BMS / ATROM offers | Benefits for the company |
| Automation and control of installations (HVAC, lighting, power supply, refrigeration) | Central control of installations: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, refrigeration | Optimization of energy consumption, stable temperature and operating conditions, reduction of operating costs |
| Monitoring and analysis of energy consumption | Measurement and archiving of data on power consumption, wear and load | Detecting excessive wear and tear, identifying losses, enabling conscious cost planning and modernization |
| Schedules and automation of device operation | Setting device operating times, automatic switching on/off of receivers | Reducing energy consumption, eliminating unnecessary device operation, comfort and control |
| Integration of security and access control systems | Connection to alarm systems, monitoring, and access control | Increased security of the facility and property, easier supervision of zones and access |
| Central management and monitoring | One platform to manage all systems, remote access, reports and data analysis | Ease of use, full control over infrastructure, quick response to anomalies, better organization of operation |
| Scalability and modularity of the system | Possibility of expanding the system as the company or facility needs grow | Flexibility - the system grows with the company, you can add new functions without rebuilding the entire system |
| Energy efficiency and cost savings | Automatic regulation of technical parameters, optimization of installation operation, elimination of energy losses | Reduction in electricity and utility consumption, lower bills, better return on investment |
| Comfort and working/use conditions | Access to lighting control, automatically adjusted conditions | High comfort for users and employees, better production and operating conditions |
Gain control over your energy consumption – contact us and we will be happy to present a detailed offer.
FAQ
1. Why is it worth conducting an energy consumption audit in a company?
An audit allows you to thoroughly examine your company's energy consumption and identify potential energy savings. It also assesses the technical condition of equipment and installations, which helps in planning modernization or efficiency-improving measures. It's the first step towards rational energy management and cost reduction.
2. Who must conduct an energy audit according to the regulations?
The audit obligation applies to large enterprises—those employing at least 250 people or exceeding certain revenue/balance sheet total thresholds. The law requires that the audit be conducted every four years, in accordance with the Energy Efficiency Act.
3. What does an energy audit cover – what areas of energy consumption are analyzed?
The audit covers electricity and thermal energy consumption across the entire enterprise—installations, machinery, lighting, HVAC, power systems, and other energy consumers. The energy consumption profile of the building or facility is analyzed, allowing for a detailed overview of energy expenditures.
4. What can an audit show – what problems and energy losses can be identified?
An auditor can identify excessive consumption, system overloads, faulty equipment, or suboptimal operating parameters. They can also pinpoint areas requiring modernization or improved control, which can help reduce energy waste. This allows for a real reduction in energy consumption.
5. How does the audit translate into real savings and improved energy efficiency?
Thanks to the audit, the company receives recommendations for actions that reduce energy consumption, such as installation optimization, improved equipment utilization, and improved system performance. This leads to lower operating costs and better energy management. Ultimately, the audit can deliver tangible economic benefits.
6. Does a mandatory audit also mean automatic implementation of changes?
No—an audit is an analysis and a report, and the decision to implement the recommended initiatives rests with the business owner. The audit report identifies opportunities for efficiency improvement, but it's up to the company to decide whether to implement modernization, automation, or other measures.
7. Can an energy audit be the basis for implementing an energy management system or BMS?
Yes, an audit provides data on consumption and technical condition, allowing the design and implementation of an appropriate energy management or automation system. Such a system can monitor parameters, optimize consumption, and control devices, resulting in lasting improvements in energy efficiency.
8. Does the audit help when planning investments in renewable energy sources or modernization of installations?
The audit identifies actual energy needs and analyzes energy savings potential, providing a basis for assessing the profitability of projects such as installing renewable energy sources. This allows the company to make informed investment decisions, planning its development in line with economics and efficiency.
9. How often should an audit be conducted – is once enough?
If your company is subject to the mandatory requirement, an audit must be conducted every four years. Regular audits allow you to monitor energy consumption, monitor energy efficiency, and respond to changes in your company's operations or structure.
10. What should you pay attention to when choosing an auditor or energy audit contractor?
Choose an independent, experienced and competent entity to conduct a detailed review of your company's energy consumption and installations. The auditor should provide a report with recommendations and an economic cost-benefit analysis to ensure informed and cost-effective decisions regarding modernization or investment.