energy project audit

PeopleFuel ®

Builds capacity for greater resilience and more sustainable high performance

Reduce burnout, improve engagement, and increase retention

In a world marked by relentlessly rising demand and complexity, people at all levels in companies are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, disengaged, and at risk of burnout.

PeopleFuel is a scientifically grounded program that equips participants with essential tools to manage their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energy.

How it works

PeopleFuel helps participants systematically increase the energy they have available to them. This begins with taking the Energy Audit, which provides participants with detailed feedback about how well they are managing energy across the four dimensions.

• Physical . At the physical level, participants learn the value of balancing the expenditure or energy with intermittent renewal in order to get more done, in less time, more sustainably.
• Emotional. In the emotional dimension, they learn a powerful framework for understanding the four different ways they feel across the day, as well as how shifting a different relationship with their emotions can uncover a whole new source of energy.
• Mental. In the mental dimension, they explore the internal and external barriers to more absorbed focus and learn strategies for moving between narrow and wide focus.
• Spiritual. Finally, they explore what matters to them most, both around their own values, and what purpose motivates them in the world.

Participants walk away with an experiment designed to close their biggest energy gap, as well as a guide to the resistance to change that almost always arises for them, along with how to work through it.

Who should attend?

PeopleFuel offers a basic set of precepts and tools that are applicable at all levels in an organization, and especially to leaders , who serve as Chief Energy Officers for those they lead.

Key outcomes

• Greater self-awareness, especially around your energy, emotions, reactions, and resistance.
• More effective energy management so that you can accomplish more, in less time, at a higher level of quality, and in a more sustainable way.
• Higher Ievels of resilience, engagement, and satisfaction.
• Less exhaustion and burnout.
• Improved communication and relationships.
• Recognition of habitual patterns of resistance.
• Smoother adaptation to organizational change and disruption.

Diagnostics and tools provided

• The Energy Audit can be used as an ongoing assessment of how fully fueled you are across the four energy dimensions.
• The Energy Quadrants offer a rapid way to diagnose what you’re feeling, and how that’s influencing your performance and leadership.

Participants become aware of their mostly invisible resistance to change – along with how to work through it.

Program options, leaderfuel tm.

This program teaches leaders how to fuel their team’s energy across four dimensions: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. The primary focus is on helping leaders build a balance between challenging and nurturing those they lead, so they are able to grow, develop and perform more effectively and sustainably.

How It Works

This program provides leaders with a unique opportunity to better manage and renew the energy of their teams. During this interactive workshop, participants analyze their current practices and identify the specific leadership challenges they face. Then, they learn strategies to work through conflict, develop more effective ways to provide feedback, and reconnect with their own core purpose and vision.

Key Outcomes

• Deepen awareness of how you show up as a leader.
• Avoid team burnout, negativity, distraction, and disengagement.
• Better manage rising demand and diminishing resources.
• Clarify and deepen your sense of leadership purpose
• Build and sustain highly energized and productive teams.

TeamFuel TM

This program is an eight-session journey combining teaching, discussion, and practice focused on cultivating energy and resilience in a world of increasing demand. These sessions create space for intact teams to address the key issues holding them back from full effectiveness.

The course is an opportunity for teams to realize a different way of working and leading. They will look more deeply into their beliefs, assumptions, mindsets, and blind spots, as well as explore what it will take to create a more trusting, more collaborative, and higher-performing team.

Throughout the process, we’ll work to connect the core principles of this work to specific individual and collective development opportunities. Teams will walk away with increased awareness, stronger communication, and a vision and plan for the team they want to be and the impact they want to have.

• Foster psychological safety to improve communication and collaboration.
• Increase energy across four dimensions for team resilience and sustainability.
• Balance intense tactical focus with big-picture thinking to fuel innovation.
• Identify the biggest challenges and explore approaches to address them proactively.
• Approach conflicts and challenges differently to learn and grow.
• Build collective self-awareness to encourage effective prioritization and decision-making.

PeopleFuel Intensive TM

This program provides the toolbox to fuel sustainable high performance and through a step-by-step, helps participant see through the barriers, blocks, blind spots and beliefs that stand in the way of making sustainable change.

As demand and complexity continue to rise, people at all levels in organizations are struggling to keep pace.

PeopleFuel Intensive guides participants through a journey to overcome the key barriers they have to adapting to shifting circumstances and making sustainable behavioral change in their lives.

PeopleFuel Intensive is a journey that deepens, extends, and sustains the experience of the one-day PeopleFuel program, giving participants an opportunity to embed and embody the principles of managing energy, and to address the internal barriers that inevitably arise.

In a six-week guided experience, participants begin with the one-day in-person PeopleFuel session, where they learn a powerful system for more effectively managing their energy to fuel performance, engagement, and focus.

This introduction continues with two follow-up virtual modules where participants explore together what’s going on inside them – mostly invisibly – which stands in the way of their ability to make meaningful changes that last.

Finally, participants have an opportunity to engage with a powerful personality typing system: the Enneagram, which identifies both their strengths and the patterns that get in their way. They begin by taking an assessment to identify their primary Enneagram type, and then have a one-on-one session to debrief their results with one of our Enneagram coaches.

The group comes back for a final day to extend and integrate the learning about their patterns and clarify a path forward.

PeopleFuel Intensive can be utilized for:

• Individual development
• Team applications
• Leadership development
• Increased resilience and sustainability through more effective energy management across four dimensions – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
• Increased emotional well-being and improved communication through increased their awareness of their emotions.
• More effective and appopriate management of emotional triggers, by learning how to self-regulate in stressful situations.
• Increased productivity, creativity, and efficiency through development of strategies for cultivating absorbed attention, and balancing tactical focus with big-picture thinking.
• A deeper sense of clarity and groundedness by gaining insight into the ways you defend yourself.
• Increased ability to overcome resistance in making changes that last.

What leaders say about PeopleFuel

I found that People Fuel really fuels the organization. It enables your people to evaluate where they are from a mental, a physical and an emotional perspective and also to do a check on “Am I living the purpose that I want to live.”

Former CHRO, Ahold Delhaise, EVP and Chief People Officer, Otis Elevator

Our employees had a chance to experience PeopleFuel to help recharge, work on our individual resilience and find that missing balance. I would recommend PeopleFuel to any organization or team that needs their batteries recharged.

CEO, Crucial Learning (formerly VitalSmarts)

Being able to perform at the very top of your profession requires a deliberate approach on how you recharge your energy. We worked closely with The Energy Project to help our partners develop key energy habits that would allow them to perform at their best in a sustainable fashion.

Global Director of Partner Development, White & Case

I have a firm belief that a business should grow its brand and its people in an equal manner. R enewal is the prerequisite for sound business decisions. The impact of The Energy Project on me is profound, durable and is making me a better person beyond a better leader.

Former President, Coty Consumer Beauty, current Group CEO, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

Our facilitators

Jane Strong

Katherine Bailey

Riddhika Khoosal

Sarah Reece

Thurman Webb, Ed.D

Tom Patterson

Tony Derbyshire

Eren Rosenfeld

Derek Lauber

Kym Ward Gaffney

Chris McUtchen

Pierre Verstraeten

Anthony Chan

Jennifer Cheng

Sunao Fujii

What’s the biggest leap your leaders need to take?

We will help you take it..

Fill out the form below, and we’ll get back with you shortly to discuss what our programs can do for you and your organization.

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Energy Audits for Small Businesses

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Last Updated: 10-05-2023

Whether you are thinking about upgrades for equipment that obviously needs replacing or don’t know what equipment may need replacing, you may wonder, “where should I start?” and “do I replace one piece of equipment or system at a time or should I do a comprehensive upgrade of my entire facility?” The answers to these questions will vary depending on your facility—these may include the age of your current equipment and facility systems, your local utility rates, your hours of operation, your level of contentedness with your current equipment and systems, and your access to capital are all key factors in what level of upgrade is warranted. An audit may help you determine what additional projects make sense. 

Download this document to learn more about:

• What is an energy audit?
• Types of energy audits 
• How to find an energy auditor, including contracting a private company
• Your energy team's role
• Pre-audit checklist
• What to expect
• Project implementation
• Utility bill audit

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Guide to Energy Audits

Compliance Inspections

Existing Building Workflows

Commercial Building Systems Commissioning

Energy audits are an important tool for understanding energy usage, benchmarking performance, identifying improvement opportunities, and developing plans to increase energy efficiency in commercial buildings. This guide outlines a 10-step energy audit process along with key industry standards, guidelines, and resources.

Table of Contents

Energy audit process, 1) gather your building’s energy usage information.

During the first step of an energy audit, you should gather your utility bills for your building(s). If you are using a submeter, then you will want to gather data from it as well. You will need to know your energy consumption and cost information for the next step.

If you don’t currently use submeters, you might want to consider installing them across your building in order to gain direct access to your building’s real-time energy usage. You can get a building-level overview or track specific pieces of equipment. Submeters can help you identify pieces of equipment that are underperforming and where they are located in your building. The data from these submeters can help you be proactive when you need to adapt to future energy regulations.

2) Benchmark Your Building’s Energy Performance

Use energy star portfolio manager to compare your building to similar buildings.

Create an ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® account or log into an existing account. This tool can help you track and manage energy and water usage for all of your building(s). Over 100 trackable metrics will be created in the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for your building(s). You can compare your building’s energy performance to similar buildings across the nation, past consumption, or a reference performance level. About 25% of U.S. commercial buildings are actively benchmarking in the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, making it the industry-leading benchmarking tool. ENERGY STAR provides several additional resources, which we cover later in this guide.

Refer to ANSI/ASHRAE’s Standard 100

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 100, Energy and Emissions Building Performance Standard for Existing Buildings provides processes and procedures to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by improving the energy efficiency and performance of all types of existing buildings, including residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial. This new edition provides new metrics for establishing greenhouse gas emissions targets, building requirements to establish an energy management plan that incorporates low-carbon equipment and achieve energy and emissions performance goals, and requirements for implementing an operations and maintenance program. It also includes a simple compliance mechanism for energy-efficient and low-emission buildings, as well as energy audit and decarbonization assessment, and guidance for jurisdictions developing their own energy consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions targets.

Refer to ANSI/ASHRAE’s Standard 105

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 105, Standard Methods of Determining, Expressing and Comparing Building Energy Performance and Greenhouse Gas Emissions provides methods for determining and reporting the energy performance of buildings in order to facilitate the comparison of design and operation strategies in new and existing buildings, the development of building energy performance standards, and the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions associated with building operation. It also provides methods for determining and comparing the energy performance of new buildings and improvements or changes in the operation of existing buildings as well as the greenhouse gas emissions associated with new and existing buildings.

3) Conduct Walk-Through to Identify Low-Cost/No-Cost Energy Conservation Measures

Locate air leaks.

The next step is to walk around your building, search for air leaks, and keep track of where you find the leaks. Checking for air leaks can be done by putting your hand up to different areas around your building to see if you feel any air. If possible, this task should be done on a cold day when you can feel a cool draft. Areas you will want to inspect inside your building include baseboards, places where walls and ceilings come together, switches, and electrical outlets. Outside, you should check windows, doors, and places where different building materials meet, such as metal, wood, and brick.

Check Insulation Levels

The first thing you’ll want to do when checking your insulation levels is to identify when your building was built. The general rule of thumb is that if your building is older, then it most likely used the recommended insulation level for the era it was built. Recommended insulation levels have changed in recent years. You can check out guides for industry standards for commercial buildings on the Insulation Institute’s website or use ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings , which provides the minimum requirements for energy-efficient design of most sites and buildings.

There are several types of insulation used for commercial buildings. Here are a few of the most common types:

Fiberglass blanket

Fiberglass blanket insulation consists of layers of fiberglass that are stacked in order to make a thick layer of insulation. It is typically sandwiched between two thick pieces of paper or cardboard. This type of insulation is usually installed between wall and floor joists and beams. Other names for fiberglass blanket insulation include blanket, batt, and roll insulation

Fiberglass board

Fiberglass board insulation is rigid board made of fiberglass. It is typically used in conjunction with HVAC ductwork that operate below ambient temperatures where vapor barrier protection is needed.

Rock wool insulation is high-density mineral wool. It is typically used to insulate pipes. It comes in a blanket that can be wrapped around pipes and water heater tanks.

Spray foam insulation is a liquid that is sprayed into areas using pressurized equipment and expands to fill the space. When dry, spray foam insulation becomes lightweight, but dense.

Loose-fill insulation

Loose-fill insulation is typically made of cellulose or fiberglass pellets. It is typically sprayed into floors or wall cavities.

Check Control System Setpoints

Check to make sure your setpoints are set to a temperature that is not too cold in the summer or too hot in the winter. Changing the temperature by even a couple of degrees can greatly reduce your energy costs and consumption. Smart control strategies can help you regulate temperatures during non-office or low occupancy hours (especially on weekends) by automatically turning the heat and air conditioning down to conserve energy when people aren’t present in the space.

Check HVAC Systems

Check to make sure you have performed at least the recommended maintenance on your HVAC equipment. Typical baseline maintenance includes changing filters every 12 weeks and having a technician come to service it each year. You may consider replacing your HVAC systems with more energy-efficient models to reduce your energy consumption if it is not performing to modern standards.

Look at Lighting

Check to see if you are still using incandescent or fluorescent lighting in your building. If you are, consider switching them out with LEDs. Most LEDs use a lot less energy compared to other light bulbs. You might also want to consider installing dimmers and timers to help you reduce the amount of time your lights are on. You can also assess your lighting efficiency per the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) standards , which is an organization that develops and publishes standards regarding lighting.

Identify Plug Load Reduction Opportunities

Plug loads are one of the fastest growing sources of energy use and account for 15-20% of office electricity use. Computers, printers, TVs, and equipment can still draw power even when they’re not in use. You will want to first review and document all items that are plugged in in your building and identify which ones use the most energy. Next, you can select the equipment that can be eliminated or unplugged because they are rarely used. After that, you can identify which items can be unplugged when they’re not in use or can be plugged into an energy efficient power strip. Also, you might want to consider completely shutting down all plugged in items during weekends or when the building is vacant. During this process, you can also engage staff to make sure they understand when and how to power down the equipment. Consider smart plugs and other automated solutions.

4) Analyze Utility Rate Structure and Purchase of Energy

Understand how your building’s energy is priced and billed.

Electricity

Many factors affect electricity prices including the cost to build, finance, maintain, and operate power plants and the electricity grid. Electricity usage is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Your electric bill is calculated by multiplying the cost of a kWh by the number of kWh used. The cost of electricity can vary by time of use and by season. Electric bills have supply charges and delivery charges. You can reduce the delivery part of your electricity bill by using less electricity, which can also reduce your supply charges. You can also shift electricity usage from high- to low-cost periods and reduce usage during peak demand periods.

Natural gas is measured in therms. Your gas bill is calculated by multiplying the cost of a therm by the number of therms used. Gas bills also have supply and delivery charges. You can reduce the delivery part of your gas bill by using less natural gas, which can also reduce your supply charges.

Evaluate Alternative Rate Structures

A site’s rate is typically determined based on delivered voltage. Smaller sites tend to receive lower voltage. There may be different rate options, typically based on the highest monthly kW peak(s). Energy use at your site may have changed over time and the information currently being used may be dated. Fifteen states in the United States are deregulated and offer electric choice, meaning a site can get electric supply from a provider other than the servicing utility. You can utilize your utility’s website or the Utility Rate Database to understand what your rate options may be. You can also check to see if your utility offers time-variable pricing programs. These programs include time-of-use rates that change by set amounts at set times and dynamic rates that reflect hour-to-hour movements. Don’t forget, you can contact your utility representative (whose phone number is often listed on the utility bill) to understand if there are alternative options.

Assess Onsite Renewable and Energy Storage Potential

Renewable energy comes from the sun, tides, and wind. It can be used for electricity generation, and space and water heating and cooling. Renewable energy offers many advantages including reduced carbon emissions and air pollution from energy production, enhanced reliability and resilience of the power grid, lower energy costs, and expanded energy access for remote or isolated buildings. The U.S. Department of Energy provides several tools and resources to determine if renewable energy makes sense for you.

5) Develop Energy End-Use Breakdown

Estimate energy consumption from heating, cooling, lighting, and plug loads.

Using the information you previously gathered related to your building’s HVAC, lighting, and plug loads, along with resources like the Baseline Energy Calculator from the Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office for estimating a building’s energy consumption, you’ll want to break down your building’s energy use.

Use Energy Modeling to Determine Energy Use

You will want to use energy modeling following ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140 or Building Energy Modeling (BEM) Guidelines from IBPSA-USA to determine the energy use of your building.

About ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 140

Standard 140 specifies test procedures for evaluating the technical capabilities and applicability of software used to calculate the thermal performance of buildings and their HVAC systems. These test procedures can be used to identify and diagnose differences in the predictions of building performance simulation software that may be caused by algorithmic differences, modeling limitations, faulty coding, inadequate documentation, or input errors. The procedures can be used to evaluate the acceptability of BEM software.

About BEM – Building Energy Modeling

BEM software simulates a building’s energy use. A building’s geometry, construction materials, and lighting are put into the program, as well as HVAC, refrigeration, water heating, and renewable generation system configurations, component efficiencies, and control strategies. Occupancy, lighting, plug loads, and thermostat setting schedules are also added to the BEM software for a building. The BEM software combines all inputs related to the building with local weather information and uses physics equations to determine the energy use of a building.

6) Identify Capital Improvement Opportunities

You will want to identify capital improvement opportunities during an energy audit. A few of the primary opportunities to consider include the following:

• High-efficiency HVAC equipment
• Building automation systems and advanced controls
• Lighting retrofits and intelligent lighting controls
• Building envelope improvements
• Onsite renewable energy systems

7) Perform Energy Savings and Economic Analysis

In order to identify if an energy-conservation measure is financially feasible, it is advisable to perform an economic analysis. This analysis should include the specific energy cost savings the measure will provide, including consumption and demand savings, the cost of implementation, and any additional maintenance costs associated with the measure. Once you have determined the total savings and total cost to implement, then you can calculate the payback associated with the project. A general rule-of-thumb is to implement projects that have the shortest payback period. It is important to align energy goals with overall organizational goals. The International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP) provides a framework that you can use to verify your project has the potential to save energy and perform as expected and quantify the site-level energy and cost impacts from a project. IPMVP determines savings by comparing measured consumption or demand before and after implementation, while making adjustments for changes in conditions, such as occupancy and weather. The savings tells you how much less you used than you would have without implementing the measure. IPMVP simplifies the measurement and verification (M&V) process and gives better credibility to projects. You can also evaluate utility incentives and tax benefits of your projects. The federal government offers an energy efficient commercial buildings deduction for qualifying building owners who place in service an energy efficient commercial building property (EECBP) or energy efficient commercial building retrofit property (EEBRP). There is also an increased deduction that may be available to you for increased energy savings. Renewable energy tax credits may also be available. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) allows you to view state-specific incentives for investing in renewable energy projects.

8) Engage a Certified Energy Auditor to Perform an ASHRAE Level 1, 2 or 3 Audit

Types of certified energy auditors.

A professional energy audit from a certified professional can provide you additional guidance on how to significantly reduce your energy consumption. You should look for a company that employs inspectors with BEAP , CEM , or CEA certifications. BEAP stands for Building Energy Assessment Professional Certification and is administered by ASHRAE , which is the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers. CEM stands for Certified Energy Manager and is administered by AEE , which is the Association of Energy Engineers. CEA stands for Certified Energy Auditor and is administered by AEE.

About BEAP – Building Energy Assessment Professional Certification

BEAP certification validates an individual’s competency to assess building systems and site conditions, analyze and evaluate equipment and energy usage, and recommend strategies to optimize building resource utilization. A list of BEAP individuals can be found here .

About CEM – Certified Energy Manager Certification

A CEM is knowledgeable on how to optimize the energy performance of a building. This individual is a systems integrator for electrical, mechanical, process, and building infrastructure, and analyzes solutions to reduce energy consumption cost effectively. A list of CEM individuals can be found here .

About CEA – Certified Energy Auditor

Energy Auditors perform energy efficiency assessments related to building systems, occupancy, operations, maintenance, and code compliance for large buildings and industrial facilities. CEAs provide their clients with detailed survey results, risk mitigation analysis, implementation plans, and a final analysis. Auditors typically work to predefined codes and standards, such as the ASHRAE Standard 211-2018 for Commercial Building Energy Audits. A list of CEA individuals can be found here .

ASHRAE Level 1, 2, and 3 Audits

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) gives guidance on three different levels of energy audits. The audit levels go from 1 being a simple walk-through analysis, to 2 being a more complex energy survey and analysis, and 3 being a detailed analysis of intensive capital improvements.

About ASHRAE Level 1 Audit

The ASHRAE Level 1 audit is a walk-through analysis and is the most basic level of audit that is designed to give you a starting point for making changes and lay a foundation for more in-depth audits. A building’s operations and energy usage is analyzed in a Level 1 audit. Key operations personnel are typically interviewed during this audit and utility bills are reviewed. An auditor also walks through the site. The primary goal of this type of audit is to identify noticeable areas of energy inefficiency. Your auditor will deliver a report detailing no- or low-cost changes that can be made to your building, as well as potential capital improvements that could be further studied.

About ASHRAE Level 2 Audit

An ASHRAE Level 2 audit begins with everything in a Level 1 audit and then more data is collected and a more detailed report is delivered. The auditor will break down the building’s energy consumption by end-use, which helps to identify areas with the greatest opportunities for improved efficiency. They will also analyze utility rates to see if you can secure a lower rate.

About ASHRAE Level 3 Audit

The ASHRAE Level 3 audit builds on the Level 2 audit and includes a more in-depth engineering analysis of potential intensive capital improvements in order to turn them into projects and reduce risks associated with uncertainties. An auditor gathers detailed data in the field and analyzes it more intensely to find areas that could be improved and the potential costs for improvements. Utility data is supplemented by sub-metering data of the key systems. The report from a Level 3 audit provides a better baseline to help you compare energy savings pre- and post-capital cost project implementation.

9) Prepare an Energy Audit Report

Results of your professional energy audit will give you deeper insights as to where you’re using the most energy in your building and recommended actions you can take to reduce your energy consumption. You will want to take these insights and recommendations and create a short-term and long-term plan to cut down on your energy use. Some improvements might be simple, inexpensive, and possible to make short-term, while others might require more capital, planning, and time to complete.

Items to include in your final report:

• Summarize your findings and recommendations
• Outline a measurement and verification (M&V) plan
• Provide a detailed implementation plan

10) Implement Energy Efficiency Measures and Monitor Results

Now, it’s time to implement your plan!

Items to consider during implementation and monitoring:

• You will want to engage qualified contractors to carry out the work on the projects.
• Refer to the ENERGY STAR Building Upgrade Manual for additional guidance on how to maximize financial and energy savings by following five upgrade stages: retrocommissioning, lighting, supplemental load reductions, air distribution systems, and heating and cooling systems. In addition, the manual includes information related to benchmarking, investment analysis, financing, and unique facilities.
• You may be able to apply for ENERGY STAR building certification .
• You might want to consider applying for LEED for Existing Buildings certification .

By following this process and leveraging industry best practices and resources, building owners and managers can effectively assess and improve the energy performance of existing commercial buildings, reduce operating costs, enhance building value, and demonstrate sustainability leadership. A comprehensive approach integrating energy auditing, strategic energy management, and building commissioning can drive continuous improvement.

ENERGY STAR Resources

ENERGY STAR has several resources to help you with energy audits including benchmarking, how to save energy, and how to earn recognition for your energy usage.

Benchmarking

Energy star portfolio manager.

The ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the industry standard for benchmarking commercial buildings. It is an online tool that allows you to benchmark the energy usage of any type of building. Both U.S and Canadian commercial buildings can be benchmarked in the Portfolio Manager.

Once you’ve used the Portfolio Manager to benchmark a building, you can also add any other buildings in your portfolio. You will be able to identify underperforming buildings that need efficiency improvements. At first glance, it might seem wasteful to modify or replace working systems in your buildings, but benchmarking can reveal if your building is less efficient than similar buildings, which can lead to a follow-on task of determining the cost to make changes and the energy savings and cost savings those changes would create.

Portfolio Manager can help you learn best practices from the efficient buildings in your portfolio. You can identify which buildings in your portfolio are the most efficient and then replicate their energy-saving practices in your underperforming buildings.

Within Portfolio Manager, there is a built-in financial tool that can help you set investment priorities. You can compare cost savings across all buildings in your portfolio and then use this information to help you decide where to allocate your capital and maximize your cost and energy savings.

As you track your building’s energy usage over time, you can verify that the changes you make actually result in reduced energy use and cost savings. You can even share and report your building’s performance with other stakeholders. ENERGY STAR performance documents, performance data, and custom insights can all be generated in the Portfolio Manager.

If your ENERGY STAR score is 75 or more, it may be eligible to receive ENERGY STAR certification. More details related to ENERGY STAR certification are covered later in this guide.

The Portfolio Manager allows you to measure and track water use, waste and materials, and greenhouse gas emissions in addition to energy.

It is wise to implement a comprehensive energy management program for your building because saving energy isn’t a one-time task. The Portfolio Manager can help you implement each step of your program, which can lead to sustained energy savings over the life of your building.

Save Energy

Energy star treasure hunts.

Treasure Hunts are collaborative quests you can use to uncover opportunities to save energy in your building. A printable 4-page guide can help you plan and implement a 1-2 day Treasure Hunt in your commercial building. Printable checklists for specific types of commercial buildings can be downloaded from the ENERGY STAR website. The Excel worksheets ENERGY STAR provides for Treasure Hunts can help you stay organized and summarize potential savings by having a ready-made template for collecting, quantifying, and detailing the energy-saving opportunities discovered on the Treasure Hunt.

Ways to Save

Upgrade Your Lighting

If your building uses incandescent, halogen, HID, or T12 fluorescent, you could be missing out on significant energy and cost savings. Updating your lighting can be an easy first step for making your building efficient.

Implement Operations and Maintenance Best PracticesUpgrade Your Lighting

If your building uses Integrating energy efficiency into your building’s standard operation and maintenance program can help you reduce operating costs, maintain comfort, and extend the lifetime of equipment and reduce unscheduled down time.

Implement Items on ENERGY STAR’s Checklists of Energy-Saving Measures

These checklists from ENERGY STAR include items that can be implemented at no or low cost to save energy. A printable version of the checklist is also available.

Purchase Energy-Efficient Products

Having purchasing requirements in place that specify vendors must use products that earn the ENERGY STAR and meet the ENERGY STAR specifications for energy efficiency can help reduce energy costs.

Host Energy-Saving CompetitionsPurchase Energy-Efficient Products

Competitions are a great way to motivate your team to find new ways to save energy and identify best practices to leverage across your portfolio of buildings. They can also help you engage your occupants and local community and earn publicity for achievements. ENERGY STAR has a Building Competition Guide , Data Management Guide , and Competitor Data Tracker Template to help you plan your competitions.

Reduce Water Use, Manage Waste and Materials, and Purchase or Install Renewable EnergyHost Energy-Saving CompetitionsPurchase Energy-Efficient Products

The Portfolio Manager can be used to manage energy, water, waste and materials, and renewable energy. You can use resources provided by the EPA to identify opportunities to save.

Find Expert Help

The EPA’s network of SPPs (service and product providers) are partnered with ENERGY STAR and offer expert help with energy management. An industrial service and product provider directory is available on the ENERGY STAR website. A directory of architecture and engineering firms that have designed buildings that perform in the top 25 percent of similar buildings nationwide is also available.

Earn Recognition

Energy star certification for buildings.

Your building can earn ENERGY STAR certification if it scores 75 or higher on EPA’s 1-100 scale, which can be calculated within EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. ENERGY STAR certified buildings save energy, money, and the environment by generating fewer greenhouse gas emissions than typical buildings. The 1-100 ENERGY STAR score is based on the actual energy use of the building. Operating conditions, regional weather data, and other important items are considered when the score is calculated. Certification is done on an annual basis and verified by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA), ensuring a building is held to high performance standards on an ongoing basis.

Designed to Earn the ENERGY STARENERGY STAR Certification for Buildings

Commercial new construction design projects are eligible to earn EPA recognition through the Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR program. This recognition is awarded to projects that are in the design or construction phase. The Designed to Earn the ENERGY STAR mark can be used on design plans and promotional materials once awarded.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INSULATION FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

How to Conduct a Commercial Energy Audit

BEAP – BUILDING ENERGY ASSESSMENT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION

Certified Energy Manager® – CEM®

Commercial Buildings

How submeters can unlock your data and boost your coverage

ANSI/ASHRAE 105-2021

ANSI/ASHRAE/IES STANDARD 100

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Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time

• Tony Schwartz
• Catherine McCarthy

As the demands of the workplace keep rising, many people respond by putting in ever longer hours, which inevitably leads to burnout that costs both the organization and the employee. Meanwhile, people take for granted what fuels their capacity to work—their energy. Increasing that capacity is the best way to get more done faster and better.

Time is a finite resource, but energy is different. It has four wellsprings—the body, emotions, mind, and spirit—and in each, it can be systematically expanded and renewed. In this article, Schwartz, founder of the Energy Project, describes how to establish rituals that will build energy in the four key dimensions. For instance, harnessing the body’s ultradian rhythms by taking intermittent breaks restores physical energy. Rejecting the role of a victim and instead viewing events through three hopeful lenses defuses energy-draining negative emotions. Avoiding the constant distractions that technology has introduced increases mental energy. And participating in activities that give you a sense of meaning and purpose boosts the energy of the spirit.

The new workday rituals succeed only if leaders support their adoption, but when that happens, the results can be powerful. A group of Wachovia Bank employees who went through an energy management program outperformed a control group on important financial metrics like loans generated, and they reported substantially improved customer relationships, productivity, and personal satisfaction. These findings corroborated anecdotal evidence gathered about the effectiveness of this approach at other companies, including Ernst & Young, Sony, and Deutsche Bank. When organizations invest in all dimensions of their employees’ lives, individuals respond by bringing all their energy wholeheartedly to work—and both companies and their people grow in value.

The science of stamina has advanced to the point where individuals, teams, and whole organizations can, with some straightforward interventions, significantly increase their capacity to get things done.

Steve Wanner is a highly respected 37-year-old partner at Ernst & Young, married with four young children. When we met him a year ago, he was working 12- to 14-hour days, felt perpetually exhausted, and found it difficult to fully engage with his family in the evenings, which left him feeling guilty and dissatisfied. He slept poorly, made no time to exercise, and seldom ate healthy meals, instead grabbing a bite to eat on the run or while working at his desk.

• Tony Schwartz is the CEO of The Energy Project and the author of The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working . Become a fan of The Energy Project on Facebook .
• CM Catherine McCarthy ( [email protected] ) is a senior vice president at the Energy Project.

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How can energy audits support the transition to renewable energy sources?

• CATEGORY: Audits

The world is facing a critical juncture in its pursuit of sustainable development. The increasing demand for energy, coupled with environmental concerns, has led to a global push towards renewable energy sources. Harnessing the power of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, offers a promising solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. However, making the transition to renewable energy is a complex endeavor that requires careful planning and evaluation. This is where energy audits play a pivotal role in supporting the shift to renewable energy. In this article, we will explore how energy audits can effectively bolster the adoption of renewable energy, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future.

Understanding Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is derived from natural resources that are continuously replenished, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Solar energy harnesses the power of the sun, wind energy captures wind motion, hydroelectric power utilizes flowing water, and geothermal energy taps into the Earth’s heat. The benefits of renewable energy are numerous, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, decreased dependence on finite resources, and enhanced energy security. Although challenges like intermittency and initial investment exist, advancements in technology and growing adoption are mitigating these concerns.  

The Significance of Energy Audits    

Energy audits are systematic assessments of energy consumption patterns and infrastructure within a building, facility, or organization. These audits serve a dual purpose: identifying energy inefficiencies and providing recommendations to optimize energy consumption. By conducting energy audits, businesses and households can gain valuable insights into their energy usage and discover opportunities to reduce wastage and save costs. Moreover, these audits form a crucial foundation for integrating renewable energy solutions.

Energy Audits in the Context of Renewable Energy Transition

Before embarking on the path to renewable energy, it is essential to understand the existing energy consumption patterns and inefficiencies. Energy audits provide a comprehensive analysis of how energy is consumed within a system, allowing for informed decision-making. Through detailed assessments, energy auditors can determine the feasibility of integrating renewable energy sources into the existing infrastructure.   

Energy audits also help in quantifying the potential energy savings and cost-effectiveness of renewable energy solutions. This analysis aids in understanding the long-term financial benefits and ROI of renewable energy projects, making them more attractive to businesses and investors.   

Furthermore, energy audits play a crucial role in evaluating the environmental impact of current energy consumption. By calculating the carbon footprint, organizations can assess their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and identify areas for improvement. Armed with this information, businesses can strategically implement renewable energy solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and enhance sustainability efforts.

Conducting a Comprehensive Energy Audit

To conduct a successful energy audit, a systematic approach is essential. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing energy audits:   

• Gathering Energy Consumption Data: Collect historical energy bills and records to establish consumption patterns over time. Understanding energy usage during peak and off-peak hours is crucial for identifying potential energy-saving opportunities.
• Inspecting Energy Systems and Infrastructure: Thoroughly examine the building’s energy systems, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, and appliances. Identify any outdated or inefficient equipment that may be contributing to energy wastage.
• Analyzing Energy Consumption Patterns and Trends: Utilize data analytics to analyze energy usage data and identify consumption trends. This analysis can uncover hidden patterns and highlight areas where energy efficiency can be improved.
• Identifying Energy-saving Opportunities: Pinpoint potential areas for improvement, such as installing energy-efficient lighting, upgrading insulation, and optimizing HVAC systems. These measures can lead to significant energy savings and reduce operational costs.
• Recommending Renewable Energy Solutions: Based on the audit findings, propose suitable renewable energy solutions tailored to the organization’s specific needs and goals. For instance, solar panels may be recommended for a building with ample sunlight exposure, while wind turbines could be suggested for a windy region.

Leveraging Energy Audit Results for Renewable Energy Integration

The data obtained from energy audits plays a critical role in the successful integration of renewable energy solutions. Here’s how organizations can leverage energy audit results to facilitate the adoption of renewable energy:   

Evaluating Renewable Energy Options Based on Audit Findings: Energy audits provide valuable insights into an organization’s energy consumption patterns and needs. By understanding their energy requirements, businesses can make informed decisions about which renewable energy sources are most suitable for their operation.   

Financial Analysis and Return on Investment for Renewable Projects: Energy audits offer a clear picture of potential cost savings achievable through renewable energy integration. Combined with accurate financial analysis, organizations can assess the ROI of renewable projects and determine the payback period for their investments.   

Considering Energy Storage Solutions for Intermittent Renewable Sources: Some renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, are intermittent and may not provide a constant energy supply. Energy audits can highlight the need for energy storage solutions, such as batteries, to store excess energy generated during peak times for use during low-production periods.   

Incorporating Renewable Energy into Existing Energy Systems: Energy audits reveal areas where renewable energy integration can seamlessly fit into the existing energy infrastructure. By identifying these integration points, businesses can optimize their renewable energy systems for maximum efficiency.    

Overcoming Challenges and Obstacles

While the benefits of transitioning to renewable energy are evident, several challenges may hinder the process. Addressing these obstacles is crucial for a successful transition:   

Addressing Initial Investment and Financing Barriers: One of the primary obstacles to adopting renewable energy is the initial investment required for installations. Governments, financial institutions, and organizations must collaborate to provide incentives, grants, and low-interest loans to make renewable energy projects more financially viable.   

Navigating Regulatory and Policy Frameworks: The renewable energy landscape is influenced by various regulatory and policy frameworks. Streamlining and simplifying these regulations can encourage more businesses and individuals to embrace renewable energy.   

Raising Awareness and Fostering Public Support for Renewable Energy: Education and awareness campaigns play a vital role in garnering public support for renewable energy initiatives. By informing the public about the benefits of renewable energy and its positive impact on the environment, communities can drive widespread adoption.    

Government and Corporate Initiatives

Governments worldwide are increasingly recognizing the importance of renewable energy and energy audits in achieving sustainability goals. By offering incentives, tax credits, and grants, governments can encourage businesses and households to conduct energy audits and transition to renewable energy.   

Moreover, many corporations have embraced sustainability initiatives and incorporated energy audits as part of their environmental strategies. These initiatives not only contribute to a greener future but also enhance the corporate image, attracting environmentally conscious consumers and investors.

The Future of Energy Audits and Renewable Energy

The future of energy audits and renewable energy is promising, with advancements in technology driving innovation in both fields.   

Technological Advancements in Energy Auditing: The rise of smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing energy audits. Smart sensors and meters can continuously monitor energy consumption, enabling real-time feedback and optimization.   

Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning algorithms are being integrated into energy audits to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. These technologies enhance the precision of energy consumption assessments and provide more reliable insights for decision-making.   

Long-term Benefits of Transitioning to Renewable Energy: The long-term benefits of transitioning to renewable energy extend beyond economic advantages. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving natural resources, and mitigating climate change, renewable energy contributes significantly to a sustainable and healthier planet.

Energy audits are indispensable tools in the quest for a sustainable future powered by renewable energy. By providing a comprehensive assessment of energy consumption patterns and inefficiencies, energy audits lay the groundwork for the seamless integration of renewable energy solutions. The transition to renewable energy sources is not without its challenges, but with the support of governments, businesses, and individuals, it is a vital step towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world. Embracing energy audits and renewable energy technologies today will shape a brighter future for generations to come.  

Discover Vertpro.com , your trusted source for expert Commercial Energy Audit and Benchmark Compliance consultancy. As an award-winning Energy Benchmarking and Audit Consultancy, we simplify energy compliance with innovative SaaS technology-based solutions. From Energy Benchmarking to Energy Audits/RCx Plus and a cutting-edge Construction Marketplace , our services cater to Building Owners & Property Managers nationwide, ensuring adherence to over 50 Energy Benchmarking & Energy Efficiency Laws. Unlock cost savings and streamline your energy management efforts with Vertpro.com today.  

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What Is an Energy Audit & Why Do You Need One?

Are you looking to enhance the comfort and efficiency of your home? Understanding and undertaking an energy audit is one of the first steps towards a more comfortable and sustainable living space. 

The Clean Energy Connection contains a database of trusted and well-reviewed energy audit contractors that will get you started on the right footing for your home performance , electrification , and zero net energy upgrades . We are here to guide you through the what, why, and how of energy audits in California!

What Is an Energy Audit?

An energy audit , also known as a home energy assessment, is a comprehensive evaluation of your home's energy use. A professional auditor conducts this assessment using specialized tools and techniques to identify and diagnose where your home is losing energy and which systems are operating inefficiently. This process typically involves examining insulation levels, checking for leaks, inspecting heating and cooling systems, combustion safety testing, and reviewing utility bills to create a detailed energy usage profile of your home.

Why Do You Need an Energy Audit in California?

Homeowners all over California are opting, and being incentivized, to replace their combustion-based and fossil-fuel appliances with all-electric and energy efficient appliances like induction cooktops , ducted heat pumps , ductless mini split heat pumps , heat pump water heaters , and more. 

However, it’s important to the long-term efficiency of this equipment that they are installed in energy efficient homes! An energy audit pinpoints which home improvements will be the most impactful in increasing the performance of your home, while also providing the following benefits to make a home energy audit worth it: 

• Cost Savings: Energy audits can lead to significant cost savings. By identifying and fixing energy leaks and inefficient appliances, you can save money on your bills and reduce wear on your HVAC and water heating systems, leading to fewer repairs and longer equipment lifespan. 
• Enhanced Comfort: Issues like poor insulation or air leaks can affect your home's comfort. An energy audit pinpoints these problems, allowing you to make necessary adjustments for a more comfortable living environment.
• Environmental Impact: Reducing your home's energy consumption is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. As California strides toward a carbon-free future, there are many incentives in CA to improve your home’s insulation and heating and cooling appliances, and an energy audit can be your first step to living a more greener lifestyle and take advantage of these savings.
• Increased Home Value: Homes with better energy efficiency often have higher resale values and are more attractive to buyers.
• Access to Rebates & Incentives: Energy audits are the first step in gaining access to a number of incentive & rebate programs.

What Does an Energy Audit Consist Of?

The process typically involves the following steps:

• Homeowner Consultation: This includes discussing your concerns, reviewing your energy bills, and understanding your household's energy usage patterns.
• On-site Inspection: The auditor conducts a thorough examination of your home. This might include a blower door test to check for air leaks, thermal scans for insulation issues, and inspections of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
• Detailed Report: After the inspection, the auditor provides you with a comprehensive report detailing their findings and suggested improvements.

Once you have your report, you will be armed with all the information you need to map out your clean energy upgrades in a way that maximizes their impact on your home's comfort, efficiency, and sustainability. Common upgrades for California homes include:

• Insulation upgrades
• Air sealing
• Fresh air systems
• Ducted heat pumps  
• Ductless heat pumps 
• Heat pump water heaters  
• Induction cooking  
• Smart home controls

Finding the Right Energy Audit Company in California

Choosing the right professional for your energy audit is crucial, and if you are wondering how to get an energy audit, a search in the Clean Energy Connection database is a great first step. Our free online directory connects homeowners with clean energy contractors offering a variety of energy efficiency, home electrification, and home performance services, including energy audits. It’s easy to filter results by location, services, rebates, and more—start your clean energy project today with an energy audit!

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The term energy audit appears to refer to two distinct things: An energy audit is the process of having a professional energy auditor assess your building for energy savings opportunities. The term energy audit also is used to refer to the result of the energy assessment process, the energy audit report. We will try to keep these terms separate by referring to the report as an “energy audit report.”An energy audit report is a carefully thought out plan, which, if followed, will lead you to reduced energy costs. Every building is different, and each contains different opportunities which can reduce energy usage. This is why every different building requires its own unique energy audit.

During the energy audit, an energy auditor will visit your site and interview your facility manager, inspect your lighting, air conditioning, heating and ventilation equipment, controls, refrigeration, air compressors, water consuming equipment, and anything else that is using energy. Depending on the type of the audit, the auditor may take measurements of temperatures, pressures, light levels, power draw, and other things.

An energy audit report typically contains a description of the building’s existing energy consuming equipment, an energy balance and most importantly, a presentation of feasible energy conservation measures (ECMs). Each of these measures are developed so that the energy audit report includes:

• a description of the existing conditions
• a description of the proposed ECM
• expected annual savings associated with the ECM
• expected cost to implement the ECM
• simple payback and/or other financial measures, such as return on investment or life cycle savings

Some of the ECMs identified in the audit will take decades to pay for themselves, while others will start paying for themselves within months. Once you have the audit in hand, you can make good decisions as to where to invest your energy efficiency money.

Some of the sections of an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit are presented below:

Facility Summary: A description of the building and its energy consuming equipment

Energy Balance: A breakout of facility energy usage into end uses.

We investigate and quantify energy savings potential in :

• Lighting systems
• HVAC Systems and Controls
• Compressed Air Systems
• Renewable Energy Applications
• Electric Motors and Drives
• Process Systems
• Steam Systems
• Heat Recovery
• Building Envelope Upgrades
• Switching Utility Providers or Utility Rates

Durante la auditoria energética, un auditor energético visitara su edificio, entrevistara a su administrador del edificio, inspeccionará la iluminaria, aire acondicionado, equipamiento de ventilación y calefacción, controles, refrigeración, compresores de aire, equipamiento que consume agua, y cualquier otro ítem que este usando energía. Dependiendo del tipo de auditoria, el auditor podría tomar medidas de temperatura, niveles de luz, consumo de energía entre otras mediciones.

Un reporte de auditoría energética se compone típicamente de una descripción equipo existente que consume energía, un balance energético y lo mas importante, de una presentación de medidas de ahorro energético (MAEs) factibles. Cada una de estas medidas son desarrolladas, por tanto el reporte incluye:

• Una descripción de las condiciones existentes
• Una descripción de las MAEs propuestas
• Ahorro anual estimado asociado a las MAEs
• El costo estimado de implementar las MAEs
• El periodo de retorno y/o otras medidas financieras, tales como el retorno de la inversión o ciclo de vida del ahorro.

Algunas de las MAEs identificadas en la auditoria pueden tomar décadas para que se recupere la inversión mientras que otras lo harán en meses. Una vez que usted tenga la auditoria en su poder, podrá tomar buenas decisiones en cuanto a como invertir su dinero en eficiencia energética.

Algunas secciones de una auditoria energética ASHRAE Nivel 2 se presentan a continuación:

Resumen de la edificación: Una descripción de la edificación y el equipamiento.

Balance Energético: Corresponde a un desglose del uso energético total de la edificación.

Nosotros investigamos y cuantificamos el potencial en ahorro energético para :

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• Mejoras en la Envoltura de la Edificación
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A Tale of Two Energy Audits

How the work of a home-performance professional can result in a path toward improved energy efficiency, durability, and health..

Building scientist Monica Rokicki walks through the process of an energy audit using two case studies as examples. She discusses moving from pre-site-visit assumptions to on-site testing with infrared cameras and blower doors, tracking energy usage, and inspecting insulation and ductwork. Using energy modeling leads to a detailed audit that includes a report of recommended improvements along with potential return on investment. The article also includes a list of 10 common energy-retrofit mistakes to avoid.

What is an Energy Audit

Ask ten homeowners what the term “energy audit” means and you might get ten different answers. Many are surprised to learn that it is a legally defined term, with building ­science–based, national standards that emphasize building durability, comfort, and air quality as much as they focus on ways to reduce energy usage. A qualified energy auditor is an experienced, interdisciplinary building scientist. The most recognized certifications for home energy auditors include the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Rating System, for HERS rater certification , which focuses on new homes, and the Building Performance Association (BPI) certifications, which focus on performance diagnostics in existing homes.

Both perspectives are valuable, because no matter how new a home is, the day after the certificate of occupancy is issued, it’s an existing home, with particular conditions based on its climate zone, site, builder and subcontractors, owners, occupants, weather patterns, and more. For this reason, every energy audit will yield different recommendations. The result of a comprehensive energy audit is a road map for the homeowner, and recommendations are not limited to energy efficiency. They may also include corresponding indoor air quality improvements, suggestions for air monitors, projected dates for major equipment or appliance replacement, and coordination with other relevant home improvement projects.

Energy efficiency upgrades are typically also assigned a return on investment because the avoided cost of future energy use can pay for the improvements over time (they may be offset by available incentives or tax credits as well). At my Roanoke, Va., building science firm, Better Building Works , we also include a best-fit feasibility analysis for renewable energy, electrification, and electric vehicle charging, as well as a net-zero-energy plan, in our audits. In this article I plan to show what a comprehensive energy audit looks like for two different homes, and how the recommendations are similar or different depending upon the owners’ objectives and on-site conditions. Both homes are in our tricky mixed-humid climate zone, and both audits were completed in the fall of 2023.

Expectations and Assumptions

One of the first things we do is make sure to orient the audit process to address the homeowner’s objectives and needs. This means making sure we understand why the homeowner wants an energy audit , and asking them some basic questions, such as how long have they lived in the house, and how long do they plan to live there? We also like to know as much as possible about the history of the house. In the case of these two audits, here’s what we knew getting started.

The Mugford residence, built around 1900, is a Victorian home in a historic district. This home experienced a full gut rehabilitation in 2007 as part of a City of Roanoke initiative and was renovated to Energy Star standards at that time. The current owners purchased it in 2019. They are the second owners of the home since the renovation and recently remodeled the basement to add a TV room and shop. While the home is mostly occupied by the two of them and a small dog, they often host their children’s families for holidays. Their objective is to increase energy efficiency and indoor air quality .

The Weitzenfeld house is a brick American Foursquare built in 1928. This home has had five prior owners. The current owner purchased the home in the summer of 2023. It will be occupied by two people and a large dog. The owner wants to sustainably improve the building’s energy efficiency , upgrade the kitchen, add a first-floor bathroom, and upgrade the heating and cooling system.

When starting an audit, we also want to know what the client’s energy bills can tell us. We complete an energy model after the on-site work is complete, but when actual energy use is available in advance, analysis gives us insight into how the building has been performing. This can help us identify anomalies and how energy use changes over the seasons. The lowest monthly usage (usually in spring or fall) helps us quantify energy use not driven by heating and cooling , called “base load.”

Finally, before we arrive, we try to state some of our assumptions. This helps us to not be stuck in our preconceptions as we gather more information. In this case, both homes have a basement and two occupied, conditioned levels above grade. Both have relatively large, vented attics with steep roofs. Both homes use gas and electric energy. And both homes will be similarly occupied.

We assumed that the Mugford residence would be well-insulated with a fairly tight building enclosure . There would still be significant air leakage where the upper level overhangs exterior space. Our recommendations for improvement would likely be minimal. Even though the basement is conditioned, annual seasonal energy use would be lower than the Weitzenfeld residence.

The Weitzenfeld Residence has no crawlspace , according to the owner, and the basement is unconditioned. We assumed the blower-door test would show that the home is very leaky. Annual energy use would be very high compared to the Mugford home.

Interestingly, we started to question these assumptions before even visiting the houses when we noticed that the summer energy use at the Weitzenfeld home had been surprisingly low (we had energy bills from the previous homeowner). We had to ask: Since energy usage data is from before the new owners purchased the home, is it still representative? Why is it so low in the summer? If there is no cooling system driving energy usage , are these months showing the true base load?

First, Some Observations

It’s now time for the on-site audit, which typically takes us between two and four hours. Upon arrival, our first step is to set up some basic air monitors for CO and CO2, along with temperature, humidity, and particulate matter. Then we ask the owners to give us a tour of the house. During this time, we often hear some new information about the home and their plans. And we are also creating a mental map of the home’s conditioned building enclosure , which will be documented with conventional photography, notes, and infrared thermography.

Our assumptions continued to be tested. For the Mugford home, it appeared that the kneewall attic spaces on the upper level and the main attic were not well-sealed. We could see that the basement workshop, which produces a large amount of particulate matter, was at least partially connected to the basement living area and first-floor level above. We also discovered a part of the basement that was formerly a crawlspace, and now has a concrete floor that we were unaware of.

At the Weitzenfeld home, we could easily observe that the unconditioned basement and attic both had many unsealed penetrations into the conditioned space, and that there was virtually no insulation between the basement and the first floor. We also learned that the previous homeowner used the existing fireplace for supplemental heat during the winter, and rarely used window-mounted air conditioning in the summer.

This explained the low summertime energy use, and alerted us that winter energy use, while high, would have been even higher without the use of the fireplace . The new owner planned to install central air conditioning and remove the window units. We learned more about the plan to remodel the kitchen and the challenge of routing plumbing and electrical into an area destined to be a small bathroom and pantry, which is adjacent to the back porch .

We also observed a dehumidifier in the basement, and the owner told us that the space is often over 70% relative humidity. There were signs of efflorescence and wetting at the lower side of basement walls. Because the floors showed little evidence of wetting, and the gutters and downspouts were clear and routed to direct liquid water away from the home, we suspected that high humidity levels were the result of air infiltration.

The next step is to record exterior and interior surfaces and materials, and identify potential areas of energy, water, or air leakage . At this time, we also record all equipment model numbers and fuel sources, especially for HVAC compressors and air handlers, furnaces or boilers, water heaters, and major appliances. Later, we’ll look these up to verify age, efficiency, and other details about the equipment. We also note all accessible areas where we can see insulation . We look at venting, grading, and neighboring conditions, and identify any areas of water infiltration.

Whenever there is open-combustion equipment inside of the building enclosure, we do combustion-area zone testing to alert the building owner of any unhealthy or dangerous conditions that can result in back-drafting. Even when that testing is not completed, we look for and identify all combustion equipment. At the Weitzenfeld home we identified an antique gas stove (with no ventilation hood) and a wood-burning fireplace. Both can be sources of indoor air pollutants .

Most concerning, however, was the old open-draft boiler , its rusty exhaust-vent piping, and its use of an existing chimney , which is rarely a good idea (note that the clothes dryer—an exhaust fan that exerts around 250 cfm of negative pressure—is nearby). The rusted areas on the vent and boiler were indications of back-drafting because water vapor is a component of combustion air.

Staining indicated that this had been occurring for some time. Since the floor above had so many penetrations, combustion air was undoubtedly entering the living areas. During our energy audits we try to imagine—or ideally, test—the home under a condition we call “family reunion at the winter holiday.” What would happen if every bath exhaust , stove exhaust, and dryer were running at the same time as the fireplace is burning, the furnace is on, someone is taking a hot shower, and dinner is cooking on the stove ? At the Weitzenfeld home, we’d be concerned.

What about the Mugford’s Energy Star home? While there is also combustion equipment at the Mugford home, there are fewer causes for concern. There is a gas furnace serving the basement and first floor, but it is a direct-vent unit, which is much safer than an atmospherically vented furnace. There is a gas stove too, but it has an exhaust fan that vents to the exterior. We were happy to see no unvented gas fireplace, which is quite common in the Victorian-era homes in this area.

Next, an Infrared Inspection

The first round of infrared thermography occurs at this stage, prior to the blower-door tests. We typically only complete infrareds at the interior, with particular focus on specific areas including the wall-to-floor and wall-to-ceiling intersections, ceilings, and doors or access hatches to unconditioned areas. At this stage, there is little pressure difference between inside and outside, so the infrared camera is usually picking up temperature difference driven by thermal barriers, but we sometimes also discover areas where water leaks have occurred, which will typically have a blob-like appearance.

Discoveries often have a silver lining. At the Weitzenfeld property, we noticed an odd metal plate in the basement wall. Infrared thermography revealed that this area was a heat bypass. Around the area, we also found efflorescence , an indication of long-term moisture infiltration. When we removed the plate, we found a small crawlspace with bare earth and no insulation. The good news is that once this space is remedied, it will offer a place for plumbing and electrical runs to the future guest bathroom.

Another silver lining at the Weitzenfeld property was in the walk-up attic, which is very leaky, especially at the attic door, chimney, and top plates of exterior walls. The owner had installed an attic fan after reading some online advice to do so. All of these things conspired together to exacerbate the stack effect, causing high winter energy bills. Fortunately, there was no mechanical equipment in the attic, so there was an opportunity to solve these energy issues and also gain an additional finished room in the attic .

There were also some interesting conditions in the Mugford basement and attic. The workshop was equipped with an air-filtration device to remove particulates created by woodworking, and it had its own stand-alone heating system. But there were multiple air bypasses into the adjoining TV room and mechanical closet that housed the air handler . Leaky ductwork throughout these areas could spread this particulate matter to the main levels of the house even more efficiently than air leakage.

Kneewall attics are a common feature of existing homes. Despite builder’s attempts to keep kneewall attics outside the air and thermal boundary, when they are poorly insulated and air-sealed, they are essentially being conditioned, which is a big waste of energy. In the Mugford residence, this air-sealing and insulation work was incomplete at the second-floor kneewalls . We observed similar discontinuities in air-sealing and insulation in the main, vented attic . A second heat-pump system and associated ductwork was in this attic, essentially operating outside, resulting in lower efficiency and the same air quality issues described in the workshop. In this case, it was potentially distributing unconditioned air, moisture, and dust from the attic into the house. There was minimal insulation, as well as wind-washing , making the actual insulation value around 25% less than the recorded R-value .

While we are investigating a home with infrared thermography, we also record interior thermostat settings and collect the data from our air monitors. We’ll later compare these ambient levels of CO and CO2, air temperature and relative humidity, and particulate matter after blower-door testing —if they are higher or lower, we can learn about indoor air pollutants and ventilation.

Blower-Door Time

We’ve learned that we can’t predict building tightness . And because knowing the accurate building tightness of a home is critical to proper heating and cooling equipment sizing, ventilation sizing, and determining air-­sealing recommendations, we test airtightness with a blower door . With an accurate measurement for the house, we can estimate the total amount of air infiltration that regularly occurs in the home, known as “ACH natural.” It is also important to know where the air leakage is occurring. This is where the second round of infrared thermography comes in. With the blower door pressurizing the house, the infrared camera will detect the leaks.

The airtightness results are even more helpful when viewed in relation to the volume of the conditioned building enclosure . For a new home where the conditioned building enclosure is defined and continuous, we do one blower-door test. For existing homes, when we have areas that are thought of as outside of the conditioned building enclosure but are functionally inside of it, like the Weitzenfeld basement, or the Mugford kneewall attics , we run multiple scenarios.

At the Weitzenfeld home, we completed four tests: one with basement and attic doors closed, one with the basement door closed and the attic open, one with the basement door open and attic door closed, and one with both the basement and attic doors open. This accomplishes a few goals. First, it tells us how much air leakage a closed door prevents. Second, it guides decision-making regarding recommended improvements in these areas. Here, we found that the difference in leakage to the attic was about six times that of leakage to the basement. Does this mean that improvements to the attic are more important? Not necessarily. The floor between the basement and the main level is wood that will shrink and swell, and there are many gaps in the boards. The lower difference when the basement door is closed versus the attic indicates that the basement and main level are less separated. The ceilings between the upper level and the attic are plaster —an effective air barrier. We concluded that the attic door was the primary source of leakage, along with the unsealed gaps around the chimney, stair walls, plumbing and electrical penetrations , and eaves. We also look at air-quality monitors to see if CO2, particulate matter, temperature, or humidity has changed as a result of bringing air across exterior building penetrations. In the Weitzenfeld home, there was little to no difference, other than a slight dilution in particulate matter. The CO2 level was unchanged and low, consistent with the high amount of air changes we found in our tests.

At the Mugford home, we also completed four tests. The attic, accessed through a pull-down stair , remained closed except for maintenance, so was left in that state. Instead, we tested various open and closed configurations of the kneewall attics and basement door. The blower-door tests indicated very little difference with the basement door open or closed, which we expected as these two areas are both finished and conditioned. The kneewall attics were another story. These areas were very leaky, as was the pull-down stair access to the main attic.

Air-monitoring-equipment differences before and after blower-door testing indicated that particulate levels went up after the test. This verified our hunch that particulates from the workshop were entering the conditioned building enclosure. But CO2 levels went down. Again, this is consistent with most blower-door testing, which is moving air and exhausting or diluting CO2 levels .

Now We Model

After the site visit and once we have all the data, documentation, and numerical calculations together, we complete an asset-basis energy model. This model predicts energy usage for the home with its existing attributes (location, area, volume, fuel types, windows and doors, effective insulation values, equipment and appliance types and efficiencies, and airtightness ). It is always completed as if the home is fully occupied for the full year. The results usually vary from the actual utility usage because of several factors including occupancy and homeowner behaviors. But the energy model is still useful, and it is required for underwriting, risk management , and big-data aggregating institutions like insurance companies, banks, and the Department of Energy. This means it can be leveraged at the point of refinancing or sale. And it is also quite valuable to predict proportional savings from potential upgrades, a requirement of any certified home energy audit.

The energy model can be used to discover the optimal combination of energy conservation measures. If any remodeling is planned, this type of energy model can be used to run scenarios, or to estimate the impacts of measures like incorporating a basement or attic into the conditioned building enclosure .

For most existing homes, we use Energy Design Systems’ software because it also completes a heating and cooling load calculation. We also use NREL’s PVWatts calculator and on-site observation to complete a feasibility analysis for solar photo­voltaics. Occasionally, we complete energy audits for homes as the first step of a design process for significant remodels or renovations. In this case, a HERS rating, using more detailed Ekotrope modeling , can be completed and used to apply for Energy Star certification.

Recommendations Aren’t the End

After energy modeling, we roll all of our data up into a set of recommendations. Final recommendations always begin with durability, safety, and indoor air quality . Enclosure improvements are next, and only then do we recommend equipment and appliance upgrades. Improvements are typically given in phases, depending on the owner’s plans for the home. These projects had some recommendations in common (each house also had unique recommendations; see below).

For both homes, we recommended low-ppm CO detectors at each level and a continuous radon monitor. These CO monitors will alert the homeowners to turn off combustion equipment if levels begin to rise. And if continuous radon levels over 2 pC/l are found, they’ll know they need to install a radon mitigation system. We recommended the homeowners replace existing gas stoves with induction ranges. Until then at the Weitzenfeld home, since the existing stove will be difficult to vent to the exterior, and the short-term expense may not be in the budget, we recommend opening a window or door when cooking.

After all recommended air-sealing and insulation is completed, we recommended each home have a new blower-door test followed by proper ventilation calculations, and Manual J heating and cooling load calculations. This is the only way to accurately size HVAC equipment, including balanced ventilation. When it’s time to upgrade the water heater , we recommended a heat-pump unit.

When the report is presented to the homeowner, we explain our reasons for each prioritized recommendation, and how the right combination of energy efficiency, electrification, and renewables can yield the highest return on investment. While the energy audit is the best first step, the process does not stop here. For the best outcomes, we can now provide valuable retrofit project management and verify that work is completed to performance specifications. This will allow us to revisit HVAC equipment sizing and produce a revised energy model for appraisers, potentially increasing a property’s value.

The Mugford House Energy Improvements

This circa-1900 Victorian home received Energy Star certification nearly 20 years ago during a significant remodeling project. The current homeowners are hoping to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality in the home. Even though this home had been remodeled in this century, it had some common issues that we verified with a thermal imaging camera, a blower-door test, and indoor air quality monitors.

Energy Use Snapshot

From this chart, we can see that the winter heating season accounts for about 50% of total average annual energy use, particularly January. Summer cooling energy usage was nearly as high in August as in December. Spring and fall usage is a little higher that we typically see, as well. Base load is relatively easy to estimate from the lowest-energy-use month of November, and it is likely that the workshop is contributing to a higher base load than average in this home.

Fan flow is measurable. Exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms play an important role in healthy indoor air quality. We try to visually verify that exhaust fans are ducted to the exterior before doing a fan-flow test to verify that the fans are moving an appropriate cfm for the space.

Recommendations

From a health perspective, the most significant issue in this house was that particulate matter from the workshop and attic was traveling into the conditioned living space. Our suggested energy improvements were common air-sealing and insulation improvements at the rim joist , in the kneewall attics, and in the main attic:

• Thoroughly air-seal all rim joists and the penetrations between the workshop and the adjacent basement mechanical and TV room.
• Clean and seal all ductwork , particularly the duct system serving the basement and first floor.
• Relocate the air and thermal barrier in the kneewall attics and in the main attic to the underside of the roof sheathing , bringing these areas and the existing heating and cooling equipment into the conditioned building enclosure.

Infrared insights. With the infrared camera, we scan the exterior walls, particularly where they meet the floors and ceiling, and we verify issues, like leaky and uninsulated kneewall attics and attic hatches.

Potential Return on Investment: 8.3%

This assumes a $12,400 budget with a $1350 tax credit for the homeowners, and a 20% predicted efficiency improvement. The ROI will likely be closer to 10% if energy-cost escalations are included. Another way to look at it: The avoided energy costs over ten years will be $11,047.

The Weitzenfeld House Upgrade Options

The new owner of this 1928 Foursquare is planning to remodel and take the opportunity to improve the building’s energy efficiency, while upgrading the kitchen, adding a bathroom, and installing new HVAC equipment. The new owner of this home hopes to improve the house by reducing energy use and improving indoor air quality , and by remodeling the kitchen, adding a first-floor bathroom, and potentially converting the walk-up attic to living space.

From this chart, we can see that winter heating season usage dominates the energy use, and is 66% of total annual average energy use (this data was collected from the previous owner). The very low summer cooling energy usage is puzzling, however. We typically see cooling season usage higher than the spring or fall swing seasons. Base load for the former homeowner may be lower than it will be for the current homeowner, particularly if the new owner uses window-mounted air conditioners or installs new heat pumps and uses them for cooling.

In this house, our recommendations were more thorough and included replacing combustion appliances and HVAC equipment , and completing air-sealing and insulation work in the basement and attic:

• Replace the bathroom exhaust fan and ducting to the exterior.
• Replace the wood-burning fireplace with a direct-vent gas stove , or better, decommission the chimney.
• Install a sealed vapor retarder in the crawlspace. Remove the access panel. Create a closed, conditioned crawlspace that’s connected to the basement.
• Decommission and remove the existing boiler and venting.
• Bring the crawlspace and basement into the conditioned building enclosure by air-sealing and insulating the band joist; consider insulating exterior walls.
• Bring the attic into the conditioned building enclosure and remove the attic fan.
• Install two Energy Star–rated heat pumps , appropriately sized. One will serve the basement and first floor, and the other will serve the upper floor and attic.

Potential Return on Investment: 10.9%

This assumes an $11,000 budget with a $1350 tax credit for the homeowner and a 30% predicted efficiency improvement. The ROI will likely be closer to 13% if energy-cost escalations are included. Another way to look at it: The avoided energy costs over ten years will be $12,590.

— Monica Rokicki; designer, building scientist, and founder and CEO of Better Building Works LLC in Roanoke, Va. Photos by Brian Pontolilo, except where noted.

From  Fine Homebuilding  #324

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Lotus Energy Audit Moscow Mills, MO

Energy audit moscow mills, mo.

At Lotus Energy Audit, we're dedicated to helping you make informed and green choices when it comes to energy consumption. Our mission is to empower residents and businesses in Moscow Mills, MO to reduce their energy usage, lower costs, and minimize their environmental impact.

With a team of experts and state-of-the-art technology, we conduct comprehensive energy audits to identify opportunities for improvement. Whether you're looking to lower your utility bills, enhance energy efficiency, or make green decisions, Lotus Energy Audit is your trusted partner in achieving these goals.

Explore our website to discover how we can lead you towards a greener and more energy-efficient future.

Our company, based in the heart of Moscow Mills, MO a provider of energy solution services. Since we started operating as an energy auditing company, we've ably assisted numerous of Moscow Mills, MOsidents to optimize energy utilization on their real estate, be it business or residential.

The organization was founded with a deep-seated passion to assist others in profitably enhancing energy utilization, an essential component as many people in the United States are deficient in this area. And we have succeeded in aid numerous of individuals achieve this.

Regardless of the nature of real estate you possess in Moscow Mills, MO, be it business or residential, large or small, we have the perfect energy assessment for you. Specially designed energy audits that completely align with your individual needs. Get in touch with us today for any our service offerings, and we will be at your service

Why You Should Choose Us

Cheap rates.

In spite of the outstanding level of top-notch services we provide, our pricing stays reasonably economical as compared to others. The reason for this is because we desire for each and every one to benefit from the incredible energy audit services delivered by our team.

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Our services are executed meticulously , a strong focus on specifics. This strategy aims to guarantee that every aspect is thoroughly covered as we render our services.

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Being a customer-focused organization, our main focus is to guarantee that those we serve receive exceptional customer service. Irrespective of what query you may have or when you demand to get in touch with our team, our client support crew is continuously ready to assist you.

Within Lotus Energy Audit, we comprise a group of experts who excel in their specific domains. Consequently, there is no space for average performance within our organization; solely efficiency is embraced.

Our Energy Audit Services in Moscow Mills, MO.

As a progressive business, our service range is not confined. Our offerings include a wide range of services to our customers with the intention of more efficiently address their requirements. The following is an inventory of the offerings we deliver Lotus Energy Audit:

Residential Energy Audit Services

Choosing to have an energy audit for your house can result in thousands saved per annually, a fact numerous folks aren't aware of. As time goes on, they typically are squandering money on electricity and heating expenses which are superfluous.

Renewable Energy Solutions

Our renewable energy solutions entail the offering of alternative green energy sources for our customers. Nonetheless, this undertaking can be daunting, as it involves questions like how to get in touch with installers, the most suitable type of sustainable energy answer for your situation, ways to secure return on your investment spent on renewable energy solutions services, and so forth.

This is where our team at Lotus Energy Audit get involved. When you decide to engage us, there's no need to stress about all of these matters. All that you need to do is share your demands with us, and we'll provide you with assistance that perfectly match your situation.

Commercial Energy Audit Services

As, it's common knowledge that companies are primarily driven by profits. Hence, commercial entities are constantly exploring for methods to minimize costs and maximize revenue. However, something many entrepreneurs may not be aware of is that one of the most effective strategies for cost reduction within their corporate space is to conduct an audit of energy usage.

A commercial energy assessment comprises a thorough assessment of energy consumption in your commercial establishment, as well as giving guidance on areas to reduce consumption, identifying where upgrades and changes are necessary, strategies to enhance safety, and more.

Energy Efficiency Consulting

Among the numerous service options presented by Lotus Energy Audit, you'll find energy efficiency consultation for both structures. This process comprises a consultation session with us on solutions to any concerns related to energy efficiency that you might be encountering.

We will assist you in reconstructing energy consumption within your property through a complete of the property and strategizing to minimize wasteful energy use, whilst capitalizing on optimal energy usage and energy efficiency.

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our energy evaluation firm, our commitment to energy efficiency can be clearly seen in our core values. several ways|One of several approaches|One of the endless methods} we work to enhance energy efficiency in our local community is by offering premium quality services and also energy-efficient options and products to our clients.

We also work toward equitable energy access and affinity for all, regardless of your tax bracket, this we accomplish by offering our assistance at budget-friendly rates.

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We are devoted to offering our clients with convenient eco-friendly and environmentally friendly services at any time and place."}

Different Types of Energy Audit Available

Among our service options, Lotus Energy Audit primarily delivers two distinct kinds of energy assessment, to be precise:

Preliminary Energy Audit: Also, referred to as a walk-through audit, this kind of examination engages utilizing readily available data for performing an analysis of energy utilization in a facility.

Detailed Energy Audit: Commonly referred to as a diagnostic energy audit, this kind of method is more thorough in opposition to the other approach. It encompasses carrying out a comprehensive examination and extensive data, measurement inventory, and related tasks prior to reaching recommendations.

Benefits of Energy Audit

When you undergo an energy audit conducted on your property, you get to benefit from numerous pros, a few of which encompass:

Improved Safety: When skilled energy auditors engage on your property, they furthermore detect safety problems and highlight tasks or spots that could trigger electrical risk and ways to prevent these from occurring.

Improved Energy Efficiency: Upon completing in-depth appraisals and analysis, expert energy auditors will offer optimal suggestions that might cause substantial savings on your energy expenses and also assist you in efficiently using energy.

Optimised Usage of Power: Undergoing an energy evaluation inspection enables you to identifying locations where you are inefficiently using energy in your residence and suggest measures or enhancements to halt such wastage.

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Our goal is to achieve exceptional results in all service we provide to patrons.

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Our dedication for what we do is steadfast, and our inspiration transcends profit. Hence, we exclusively deliver top-notch assistance to those we serve since this remains our top priority.

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We're here to assist you in taking the first steps towards a more energy-efficient and sustainable future. If you have questions, need further information, or want to schedule an energy audit in Moscow Mills, MO, our team is ready to help.

If you're ready to assess your energy consumption and identify opportunities for improvement, please reach out to us to schedule an energy audit.

At Lotus Energy Audit, we're committed to helping you make a constructive impact on the environment while saving on energy costs. Contact us today and start your journey towards a greener future.

Or Give Us A Call At

Zip codes in moscow mills, mo that we also serve: 63362, cities close to moscow mills, mo that we also serve.

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BP logo seen outside a petrol station in London, U.K. (Photo: Leon Neal)

When the news arrived that BP (LON: BP) was scaling down its renewable energy ambitions, it didn't hold much of a surprise. In fact, for market observers there was a certain level of inevitability about it.

Since 2020, BP has been working towards building an offshore wind portfolio following a pledge by its former boss Bernard Looney to "become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner." The shift in policy four years ago has often seen the company overbid for renewable energy assets over and above even established players in the industry. Furthermore, the assets are not expected to generate revenue for years.

For context, BP spent $2.5 billion on offshore renewables, hydrogen, electric vehicle (EV) charging and biofuels, out of a total capital expenditure of $16 billion in 2023-24. While partially welcomed by green advocacy groups, the company's stance was deemed to be widely out of sync with what BP's shareholders wanted - a focus on its core oil and gas business along with a slightly tempered approach to the energy transition.

This weighed on BP's share price, which was already lagging its U.S. peers in terms of valuation. Looney's unceremonious departure worsened shareholder confidence in the company to the point of it being considered a takeover target .

When rival Shell (LON: SHEL) responded by scaling back its exposure to renewable energy earlier this year, revised its targets and saw a jump in its share price , BP under its new CEO Murray Auchincloss - who was appointed in January - simply had to respond, and did.

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It first revised its own plans to cut oil and gas production by only 25% between 2019 and 2030, reversing a previous target of a 40% reduction over the same time-frame. In April , a paring down of its EV charging business followed. On Thursday, a Reuters report revealed Auchincloss had paused fresh bidding for offshore wind projects.

The company's moves in the sphere to date give it a total offshore wind project pipeline just shy of a capacity of 10GW, spread around the U.S., U.K. and Germany. Sources suggest the BP boss wants his company to redouble its efforts on its existing portfolio, rather than bidding for new renewable projects energy projects.

This has meant a hiring freeze for renewables divisions and job cuts. Not only that, the Reuters report also suggests several personnel tasked with finding new renewable energy opportunities have been reassigned to other tasks within the company.

However, BP will also continue to maintain its investments in biofuels and low-carbon businesses that it hopes will generate short-term returns. Earlier this week, it agreed to full control of BP Bunge Bioenergia - its Brazilian ethanol joint venture with agricultural commodities firm Bunge - for $1.4 billion.

In a statement, BP said: "We are going to deliver as a simpler, more focused and higher value company.

"We set out six priorities that underpin this; including: driving greater focus into the business on to activities that create the most value, as well as delivering both the next wave of efficiencies and BP’s growth projects. The actions we are taking are part of delivering this, in service of our aim of growing the value of BP."

Doubtless the company's shareholders would breathe a sigh of relief in the hope of a claw back of the over 12% decline in BP's share price over the past five years. More so, given that Shell has seen its value appreciate by 10% over the corresponding time frame.

Ultimately, their pressure has paid off. Short-term gains for BP could well be on the horizon, but long-term challenges about its future in a rapidly evolving energy mix will remain in place.

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