The commercial audit is a complete energy analysis of the building that uses the latest technological equipment to identify where and how a structure is losing energy, which systems are working inefficiently (heating & cooling, ventilation, etc.) and proposes the most cost-effective energy conservation measures to rectify these problems and lower the energy impact of the building. We have two levels of the commercial audit that we provide, the Preliminary Building Analysis & the Investment Grade Audit
The commercial audit is a complete energy analysis of the building that uses the latest technological equipment to identify where and how a structure is losing energy, which systems are working inefficiently (heating & cooling, ventilation, etc.) and proposes the most cost-effective energy conservation measures to rectify these problems and lower the energy impact of the building. We have two levels of the commercial audit that we provide, the Preliminary Building Analysis & the Investment Grade Audit
This audit involves a onetime site review of the building and documentation to understand how the building is currently operating and identify opportunities to save energy, energy demand, water, and money. The service also includes utility rate analysis and evaluation of alternative utility rates available.
Opportunities for savings will be analyzed including no cost/low cost investments, as well as capital projects known as Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs). The findings from the Preliminary Building Assessment will be presented in a report that will document current building system conditions and operation, what ECM opportunities were discovered with estimated implementation cost and resulting savings, and recommendations of further study for capital projects.
Investment Grade Project Analysis, also known as an Investment Grade Audit (IGA), gives the client accurate data to evaluate potential capital projects with monetary benefits from energy savings. This process involves a much more detailed evaluation of existing conditions which involves:
Collecting updated utility bills, performing a utility analysis and calculating baseline energy usage figures, Analyzing building drawings and identifying changes or modifications to the buildings or systems, Performing very extensive field investigations of buildings and systems, and installing data loggers and metering for major equipment, Constructing building simulation models for the buildings, and calibrating models to three year average utility baseline, Refining ECM scopes and distributing to qualifying contractors for price bids, Developing savings and cost summaries for each ECM, Authoring final IGA report for submission with detailed facility descriptions, utility analysis, ECM descriptions, and savings summary spreadsheets
-Provide a final list of potential ECMs (Energy Conservation Measures)
-Construct a building simulation model calibrated to historical energy usage
-Develop a detail scope of work for each ECM
–Collaborate with client chosen contractors to provide detail ECM pricing
-Provide accurate savings from building simulation modeling alternatives for each ECM with whole building interaction
-Provide a final report with all documentation from the Investment Grade Project Analysis with Measurement and Verification (M&V) and Commissioning Plans
Central Piedmont Community College Phase I
Location: Charlotte, NC
Energy Services Provider: Trane US, Inc.
Buildings: Advanced Technology Center, Central High School, Learning Resource Center, Terrell Hall, Giles Science Building, Central Energy plant
Square Footage: 330,000
Highlighted Energy Conservation Measures:
» Campus-wide DDC system and optimization
» Central hot and chilled water plant expansion
» New Liebert system
» Dual duct to VAV conversions
» Cooling tower water sub-meter
Accomplishments:
» Completed investment grade audit of all buildings
» Identified and developed HVAC related measures
» Modeled projects savings using Trace 700 software
» Helped achieve a combined 51% reduction of energy costs
» Success of project lead to a second phase
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Location: Pembroke, NC
Energy Services Provider: Siemens Industries
Buildings: Jones Activity Center, Livermore Library, Old Main, and Oxendine Science Building
Square Footage: 304,810 square feet
Systems Evaluated:
» Retro-Commissioning VAV and control systems
» DDC system upgrades
» Boiler plant replacement
» HVAC replacements
» VAV conversions
» Lab hood VAV conversions
Accomplishments:
» Completed investment grade audit of all buildings
» Identified and developed HVAC related measures
» Modeled projects savings using eQuest software
» Helped achieve a combined 50% reduction of energy costs
Edgecombe Community College
Location: Tarboro and Rocky Mount, NC
Energy Services Provider: Brady Trane
Buildings: Auto Body Shop, Barnes Building, Cosmetic Arts Building, Fleming Building, Fountain Building, Havens Building, HVAC Shop, Library, Maintenance Shop, and McIntyre Building
Square Footage: 239,591 square feet
Systems Evaluated:
» Retro-Commission controls
» Chiller replacements
» DDC system upgrades
» AHU replacements
Accomplishments:
» Completed investment grade audit of all buildings
» Identified and developed HVAC related measures
» Modeled projects savings using Trace 700 software
» Helped achieve a combined 30% reduction of energy costs
Duplin County Schools
Location: Duplin County, NC
Energy Services Provider: Brady Trane
Buildings: 8 Elementary Schools, 1 Middle School, & 1 High School
Square Footage: 559,619
Highlighted Energy Conservation Measures:
» DDC system upgrades
» Boiler replacements
» HVAC replacements
» Window and wall retrofit
Accomplishments:
» Completed investment grade audit of all buildings
» Identified and developed HVAC related measures
» Modeled projects savings using Trace 700 software
» Helped achieve a combined 26% reduction of energy costs
Winston-Salem State University
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Energy Services Provider: Siemens Industries
Buildings: Thompson Student Center, Anderson Center, Blair Hall, Coltrane Hall, Gaines Complex, Hall-Paterson, Hauser Hall, O’Kelly Library, and Old Maintenance Building
Square Footage: 518,342
Systems Evaluated:
» DDC system upgrades
» HVAC system replacements
» Chiller replacements
» Kitchen hood & make up air unit controls, VAV conversions
» Envelope upgrades
Accomplishments:
» Completed investment grade audit of all buildings
» Identified and developed HVAC related measures
» modeled projects savings using eQuest software
» Helped achieve a combined 50% reduction of energy costs
