Request a proposal In the field. In the documents. On the record.Energy and water performance
Building energy-use analysis and energy conservation recommendations for capital planning, Local Law 87 assignments, and NYSERDA FlexTech studies.
Request a proposalIn plain terms
An energy audit examines building systems, operations, and utility use to develop energy conservation measures. KOW defines the scope around the intended assignment, including Local Law 87 audits and FlexTech studies. Local Law 84 benchmarking is a separate service.
Scope, requirements & reporting
ASHRAE Standard 211 defines procedures for Level 1, 2, and 3 audits. Level 1 provides an initial assessment; Level 2 develops a more detailed analysis of measures and economics; Level 3 provides deeper analysis of selected capital measures. The assignment should name the level, systems, data requirements, and intended investment decision.
For NYC buildings subject to Local Law 84, annual benchmarking is a reporting obligation. Local Law 87 adds audit and retro-commissioning requirements for its covered buildings. The two laws have different applicability rules, so a benchmarking requirement alone does not establish that an LL87 report is due.
Useful recommendations identify the existing equipment, proposed change, estimated energy and cost savings, implementation cost, and operational dependencies. Fuel prices, hours of use, occupancy, and interactions between measures can materially change the result. KOW’s scope can bring these assumptions into the owner’s capital discussion.
An audit report should identify the data period, occupied areas, equipment and operating schedules, observed deficiencies, proposed measures, and calculation assumptions. For each measure, distinguish energy savings from dollar savings, document the cost basis, and explain interactions with other measures. Savings from individual measures cannot always be added together without adjustment.
Decisions supported
Is the available building-performance data complete and reliable?
Which systems or operating conditions are driving performance?
What measures warrant technical or financial development?
How should opportunities be coordinated with capital work and compliance deadlines?
Typical scope
The final scope follows the property, transaction, program, client requirements, and information available. Typical elements include:
Process
Confirm the property or project, intended use, reliance parties, schedule, available information, and required deliverable.
Review the documents, identify gaps, and coordinate the people and access needed to complete the scope.
Perform the observations, analysis, interviews, and specialist coordination called for by the assignment.
Separate material findings from background information and state the basis, limitations, open items, and follow-up clearly.
Common assignments
Energy audits coordinated with the required retro-commissioning and reporting scope.
Technical studies scoped around the project’s questions and applicable NYSERDA requirements.
Evaluation of energy conservation measures alongside planned building improvements.
Frequently asked
Level 1 provides an initial assessment; Level 2 develops more detailed measure and economic analysis; Level 3 adds deeper investigation of selected capital measures. ASHRAE Standard 211 provides the audit framework. Name the level and intended decision in the scope.
A complete annual cycle is essential for understanding seasonal use; additional history helps explain weather, occupancy, or operating changes. Confirm the program’s required period and include all relevant fuels and accounts.
No. It identifies relative performance where a score is available. Data errors, operating hours, building use, and equipment performance need investigation before selecting corrective work.
An audit provides estimates based on stated assumptions. Actual results depend on installation, operation, weather, occupancy, and other factors. A measurement-and-verification scope is separate from the initial estimate.
Benchmarking compares reported building performance over time or against peers. An energy audit examines systems, operations, and potential measures in greater technical detail.
Utility data, occupancy and operating information, equipment records, controls information, prior studies, and planned capital projects can improve the usefulness of the analysis.
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