Developing an Energy Audit Strategy & Plan
What this domain tests
The strategy domain checks whether you can scope an audit to the client's decision, not just walk the building. ASHRAE defines three levels: Level I is a walk-through survey that establishes a baseline, an approximate EUI, and low-cost/no-cost measures. Level II is an energy survey and analysis with end-use breakdown, metered data, and financial screening. Level III is an investment-grade analysis with detailed measurement and modeling for capital projects.
Core rules
- State the boundary (whole building, system, or process) and the deliverable accuracy up front.
- Collect 12–36 months of bills and normalize for weather and occupancy.
- Choose interval data (15-minute) when load shapes matter; use spot readings for steady loads.
- Budget for O&M and behavioral measures, not only capital retrofits.
- Define measurement and verification per IPMVP before implementation.
Worked example
A 100,000 ft² office uses 3,000,000 kWh/yr. Convert to site energy: 3,000,000 × 3.412 = 10.24 million kBtu. EUI = 10.24 million ÷ 100,000 = 102 kBtu/ft²·yr. If the regional benchmark is 80, the building is about 28% above typical, which supports a Level II study before any capital recommendation.
Traps
Presenting a Level I checklist as investment-grade; skipping weather normalization; omitting low-cost measures; promising savings without an M&V plan; and letting the audit boundary drift mid-project.