How Often Should You Have an Energy Audit?
With sustainability and eco-friendly practices at all-time highs, commercial properties recognize that energy audits are crucial to minimize usage and keep costs low. They can help your association understand how much energy is consumed and implement strategies for maximum conservation.
Knowing when to schedule them can help keep your HOA or commercial business as energy-efficient as possible, and SoCal Electrical & Lighting is here with the answers.
What Happens at an Energy Audit?
While it's no secret that an audit can benefit your property, several crucial steps
need to take place:
1. Property Inspection
The energy auditor will inspect the entire area. This includes looking at the walls, eaves, and windows and checking for cracks or holes that could reduce efficiency. They'll also be checking for any major damage and may include inspections for electrical hazards or carbon monoxide leaks.
2. Insulation Health
The building’s insulation will need to be inspected to ensure it has been properly installed and still functioning optimally. If your property has attic areas, this will be a primary place, and they will do a thorough inspection of anywhere that electrical lines are run.
3. HVAC & Heating System Functions
Your HVAC system, water heater, and furnace will be included because these directly
affect efficiency levels. This includes looking at filters and checking connections through the ductwork to look for anywhere that hot or cold air could escape.
4. Lighting Sources
Your lighting plays another huge role in your efficiency, so the auditor will check the usage, wattage, and location of external and internal systems and review areas that could use natural daylight as an alternative. Inspecting the types of light bulbs you use will be included, and may suggest upgrading to LEDs if you have incandescent.
What Are the Benefits of an Energy Audit?
Energy audits also have multiple benefits for your community and residents, so here are just a few advantages they can offer your association:
1. Reduce Usage
The primary purpose is to reduce excess waste, and that's what the audit's focus is. It lets you know how much energy is wasted, resulting in less consumption and more money in your association or business's pocket.
2. Less Wear and Tear
The less energy used means decreased wear and tear on your electrical and HVAC systems and decreased risk of replacement or repairs.
3. Happier Tenants
Scheduling an energy audit will help you locate any parts that are not working efficiently and can reduce the risk of dangerous scenarios like fires. This ensures that your system works correctly; it will also help your tenants feel happier and safer.
4. Supports the Environment
One of the main reasons to get an audit is to be more sustainable. Taking steps to address any issues means you will make a positive impact on the environment and can be an attractive selling point for potential tenants seeking greener living options.
5. Increases Property Values
An energy audit is an investment in your property because it leads you towards making more energy-efficient steps which are great for saving money. Adding high-efficiency lighting, weatherization enhancements, and solar panels will all help with the property’s value and save you more time and money in the long run.
How Often Should Energy Audits Be Completed?
Each HOA and business are different, so there are no specific answers to how often the audit needs to be completed.
The general recommendation is every two to three years; however, this is going to be dependent on the following:
● What kind of usage is already established
● The efficiency of the heating and cooling systems being used
● If the association has energy-efficient doors and windows
● If there have been any damages or changes to the property that may have reduced its efficiency
If you are trying to decide how often you need an energy audit, you can always reach out to a professional to help determine the frequency your property needs.
How Can Energy-Efficient Lighting Save You Money?
The simple fact remains that any excess energy you're using will come out of your pocket. Finding as many ways as possible to reduce your power bills will help each month, And if you're still using outdated lighting systems, this will directly affect your consumption.
LED lights are some of the most common energy-efficient options on the market. They require less energy than traditional bulbs, with a decrease of almost 75% in energy use, and are longer lasting and brighter, making them a safe and efficient option.
SoCal Electrical & Lighting: Your Energy Audit Specialists
Investing in a routine electrical audit can help you implement new energy conservation options and reduce your carbon footprint. SoCal Electrical & Lighting is the trusted name in Coachella Valley for professional services from energy audits to commercial lighting installation that our clients depend on.
Our experts are here to answer all your questions, so message us online or call us at 760-699-2686 to schedule an estimate.