ENERGY
Investment Grade Energy Audit
EMG's Investment Grade Energy Audit (IGEA) provides comprehensive assessment of building energy systems, data logging, utility bill and rate structure analysis, baseline energy consumption analysis, energy & mass balance by fuel type, energy simulation and computer modeling, feasibility analysis of recommended ECMs, group ECMs by packages and analyze interactivities among measures, develop construction & implementation plan for recommended improvements. Our energy audits are conducted in accordance with ASHRAE Level III standards, Federal Regulations and the recommendations from the US Department of Energy.
The process includes collection, analysis and benchmarking historical energy and water information for all client sites using EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager. This benchmarking serves two purposes, to establish where each building ranks in relative energy & water efficiency, and to establish a baseline for documenting and verifying energy savings. The Energy and Water Audit will identify potential Energy and Water Conservation Measures (ECMs), the projected energy & cost savings resulting from each ECM. EMG will develop detailed costs to implement each recommended measure based on common industry practices for labor, material, engineering & overhead expenses and provide economic analysis for each ECM based on payback, ROI, Savings to Investment Ratio (SIR) an Life Cycle Costs.
EMG Project Approach & Process
EMG's Investment Grade Energy Audit consists of an on-site assessment to determine current condition of building systems, itemize the energy consuming equipment i.e. boilers, air conditioning equipment, AHU, DHW, lighting; review lighting systems both exterior and interior; review appliances and review efficiency of all such equipment. In addition, EMG's team will examine the structural elements, such as the building envelope, for energy efficiency and conductance (U-value), infiltration and air changes. Recommendations will be made on implementing cost-saving energy conservation materials and methods. We will estimate the projected payback period on each energy-saving recommendation and prioritize accordingly.
The Audit will consist of the following:
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Identify utility rate structures, current & historical energy and water consumption for each site
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Develop a detailed inventory of all HVAC equipment, boilers, furnaces, air conditioning equipment, chillers, pumps, fans, motors, lighting, irrigation systems
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Audit of HVAC systems, perform combustion efficiency test, evaluate piping for leaks and insulation upgrades; evaluate chemical treatment of water, blow-down frequency, condensate system performance; survey steam traps, heat exchangers and identify opportunities for heat recovery
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Install data loggers as needed to collect additional hourly operational information of HVAC systems
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Model the steam and chilled water plants and individual building locations to estimate energy savings; EMG uses DOE & third party energy simulation and modeling tools
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Perform thermal imaging (with pictures in report) of HVAC, condensate tanks, hot water/steam and condensate piping to identify energy loss; perform thermal scan of building envelope (i.e., windows, doors, walls, joints, roof) to identify any heat loss through envelope and make recommendations to minimize the same through insulation upgrades, weatherstripping/air sealing
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Model basic building features, such as internal gain, multiple zones with central HVAC, envelope measures, and architectural shading effects
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Perform photometric calculations in estimating light levels
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Conduct a detailed lighting system audit and develop a comprehensive lighting schedule spreadsheet with opportunities for improvement through replacing T12 light fixtures with Super T8s/T5, magnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts; identify opportunities for delamping through measured lumen levels, occupancy & photo sensors; bi-level & tandem ballasts as applicable
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Evaluate chilled water systems; evaluate performance of chilled & condenser water production, cooling load/demand; calculate operating kW/ton and identify opportunities to optimize/improve performance; identify opportunities for variable speed systems
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Measure the operating COP of the absorption cooling equipment
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Survey, record, and evaluate the SEER/COP of the window, split and heat pump air conditioners serving the spaces and other areas to identify opportunities to replace older units with Energy Star alternatives. Also identify opportunities for centralized systems as applicable
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Evaluate the efficiency, sizing and performance of all motors and pumps in the entire facility and identify opportunities for VFD controls
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Audit air handler performance throughout the county buildings, air distribution ducting, and potential for VFD control of supply and return fans in VAV systems
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Audit all water using equipment and identify opportunities for upgrade with water efficient fixtures
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Evaluate and provide a feasibility report on Cogeneration/CHP for the facility
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Evaluate and provide a feasibility report on Renewable energy systems:
» Solar PV
» Solar hot water
» Geothermal
» Wind
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Prioritize energy efficiency projects based on building energy use, energy/water consumption, age of facility, and cost
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Calculate the current and projected emission reduction through recommended improvements
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Demand Response Opportunity
Apart from the above, EMG will identify opportunities for the facility to participate in Demand Response and load curtailment program through use of on-site generator and other load control strategies. EMG will provide guidelines for the program enrollment process and, if required, assist in setting up the entire demand response program for the client.
Learn about all of our energy services:
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