ASHRAE energy audits:
Level 1, 2 and 3.

ASHRAE Standard 211, Commercial Building Energy Audits, defines three audit levels and sets the minimum scope, analysis and reporting for each. An audit carried out and reported to one of those levels is commonly called an ASHRAE audit. The levels run from a walk-through to a detailed analysis of capital projects.

Level 1 is a walk-through that reviews utility bills and spots obvious waste. Level 2 is an energy survey and analysis: it breaks energy use down by system and gives costed measures with payback. Level 3 is a detailed analysis of capital-intensive modifications, with measurement, modelling and a life-cycle cost study. The boundaries between levels are not sharp, so the scope of work should say what is included.

Choose Level 1 to find out whether a deeper audit is justified, Level 2 when you want a costed list of measures to act on, and Level 3 before committing to a large capital project such as replacing chiller or boiler plant. Many facilities start at Level 2 because it gives a usable list of measures. We help you choose the level when we agree the scope.

ASHRAE Standard 211 is a standard for building energy audits. Where the energy used by production processes is part of the question, audits are often reported to ISO 50002 or to EN 16247-3, which covers processes. We agree the framework with you at the start and use the same data and the same measures register for either.

Utility bills and tariffs, equipment lists or drawings, operating hours, and access to the people who run the plant. The deeper the audit level, the more detail is needed, up to metering or short-term logging of specific equipment at Level 3.

Level 1 and most Level 2 work are walk-throughs and non-intrusive measurement. Level 3 may need data loggers on specific equipment, which we plan with your operating team so that production and safety-critical systems are not affected.

ASHRAE Standard 100, the performance standard for existing buildings, sets energy and emissions targets. In its 2024 edition, buildings that miss their targets must carry out an energy audit and a decarbonization assessment. We structure audits to the Standard 211 levels, and the level that a particular regulation or programme requires should be confirmed against that regulation. Whether Standard 100 applies to you depends on the building type and on whether your jurisdiction has adopted it.