Small Business Energy Audit Services: Why Your Company Needs One

Conducting an energy audit for your business can identify ways to cut waste, improve energy efficiency, and save money on monthly utility bills. The savings that come as a result over time help cover the cost of the energy audit.

What is a Business Energy Audit?

An energy audit is a structured evaluation of how a business uses energy. It identifies areas where energy is being wasted, enabling companies to make energy-efficiency upgrades. How a business uses electricity, natural gas, and major systems such as HVAC, lighting, and equipment can greatly affect its bottom line. To perform an energy audit, the facility undergoes an on-site inspection, utility bill analysis, and usage data review. Once completed, the business can make the necessary changes to lower long-term operating expenses and monthly energy costs.  

Why Energy Audits Matter for Small Businesses Too

Energy audits aren’t just for large corporations. Energy optimization for small businesses is very important since budgets tend to be tighter. Energy audits can help combat rising energy costs and tight business margins. They also improve overall operations by identifying inefficiencies that directly impact your monthly bills. Small businesses should consider undergoing an audit and regularly schedule them to ensure they’re maximizing savings and reducing energy waste.  

What Happens During an Energy Audit?

The structure of the energy audit process allows your business to easily decipher what is causing energy waste, while also providing cost-saving solutions. By following this step-by-step process, your business will receive a clearer picture of its usage and energy habits.

1. Utility bill review: Share past energy bills with auditors so they can better understand your usage patterns, seasonal trends, and current costs.  

2. Equipment assessment: HVAC systems, lighting, and machinery are evaluated to see if anything is outdated or operating inefficiently.  

3. On-site facility walkthrough: An inspection of the building helps the auditor easily uncover energy waste from poor insulation, air leaks, and other unnecessary usage.  

4. Usage and operational analysis: Daily operations are reviewed to determine when and how energy is used, especially during peak-demand periods.  

5. Identification of inefficiencies: The audit pinpoints exactly which areas are contributing to energy waste and extra monthly utility costs.

6. Recommendations and savings reports: Your business receives an in-depth list of results that includes suggested improvements, estimated cost savings, and potential return on investment (ROI).  

How Energy Audits Help Reduce Business Energy Costs

Energy audits lead to real savings for your business. By utilizing the benefits of energy audits and making suggested changes and improvements, your organization can cut costs and improve operations. The common recommendations include HVAC optimization, lighting upgrades, equipment maintenance scheduling, and workforce behavioral changes. By fixing equipment, adjusting temperature setpoints, replacing old lightbulbs with LEDs, adding smart and automated controls for the office, and shifting usage around to reduce peak demand charges, your business can experience lower energy costs. Educating employees and training them to turn off unused equipment and reduce unnecessary energy consumption can also add up over time and produce consistent savings.

Signs Your Business Needs an Energy Audit

As a small business owner, it’s important not to ignore the common warning signs that your operations are contributing to energy waste and extra costs. By knowing the signs, your business will be able to thrive:

• You start to notice rising utility bills.

• Equipment is outdated and not operating as efficiently as before.

• HVAC and heating systems aren’t providing steady heating and cooling.

• There are unexplained, seemingly random spikes in your energy usage.

• The business is experiencing high peak demand charges.

Is an Energy Audit Worth the Cost? Understanding ROI

If you’re having doubts about conducting an energy audit because of the cost, let’s dive into why they often pay for themselves over time. Energy audits contribute to long-term savings, cutting your small business’s energy costs significantly. By using the findings of the audit and upgrading equipment to more energy-efficient models, training employees to change habits, installing LED lightbulbs and smart sensors, and optimizing HVAC systems, your business will benefit from substantially lower monthly energy costs. As time goes on, the energy audit will be paid for from the newfound savings, resulting in a positive ROI for your company as it enjoys lower utility bills for an extended period of time.  

Common Energy Waste Found in Small Businesses

Here are the typical inefficiencies discovered in energy audits:

• Inefficient lighting. LEDs last longer, shine brighter, and use less energy than traditional lightbulbs.

• Overuse of the HVAC system. Constantly cooling and heating the facility, especially when not in active use, can drive up energy usage.  

• Equipment is left running unnecessarily. Machines, computers, and kitchen equipment are often left plugged in during off-hours, leading to phantom power drains.  

• Poor insulation and air leaks. Gaps around doors and windows allow air to escape, forcing systems to work harder to maintain the desired temperature.  

• Outdated and inefficient equipment. Older appliances often consume more energy than newer, energy-efficient models.

How Price to Compare Can Help Your Small Business

Energy audits are a great way to reduce energy costs and cut waste for your business. If your small business is looking for additional ways to cut down its monthly utility bill, it can partner with Price to Compare to find a low-rate energy plan. Our free-to-use online marketplace allows your company to compare rates and plans from top-rated suppliers in your area. By pairing our services with an energy audit of your business, you’ll experience significant savings that can be reinvested into operating and growing your business.  

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Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Audits

How much does an energy audit cost?

A standard energy audit is likely going to cost $0.10-$0.30 per square foot. So the total can depend on how large your small business’s facility is. There are cheaper and more expensive options that provide less or more guidance, so it’s important to consider all options before choosing the best fit.

How long does an energy audit take for a small business?

Basic on-site audits can take around 1-3 hours, with more detailed audits taking a full day or multiple visits. The full process of drafting the report with findings can also take a few days, depending on the auditing company.

How much money can an energy audit save a business?

It depends on the size of the business and the findings of the energy audit, but the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that energy audits typically identify savings of 10-40% on utility bills.

What is included in a commercial energy audit?

A commercial energy audit includes: a utility bill review, facility walkthrough, equipment assessment, usage analysis, identification of ways to improve, and a final recommendations and savings report.

Do energy audits actually reduce energy bills?

Yes. By acknowledging and updating inefficiencies found by an energy audit, your business will reduce its overall energy demand and utility bills.