Energy audit

Energy audit is a term used worldwide. As with all terms, the definition and the content of an energy audit differs from person to person and from society to society. In many countries like in Finland, governments subsidise energy audits. In some countries, the law may require that energy audits are carried out at regular intervals. In both cases, governments may require that energy audits are carried out in accordance with some form or regulation for obvious reasons. These regulations tend to differ from country to country.

Why energy audits?

Energy audits can be seen as a part of building condition surveys - surveys that are targeted on the energy performance of a building. As condition surveys, energy audits are a useful tool for long term building renovation planning. Other ways to use energy audits are as follows:

• A statement of the energy quality of a building. A building energy certificate and energy labelling of the building are easily produced based on the audit reports. They are valuable for example when a building is for sale.

• One outcome of an energy audit is a list of energy saving measures and ways to increase the energy efficiency of a building. A housing owner can reduce energy and other costs by applying these measures.

• An energy audit may be advantageous when applying for a loan for a building renovation.

• In future, CO2 emissions are very likely to become more and more important. Energy
  audits will be one tool to abate CO2 emissions.

In the building sector energy saving measures are not necessary very profitable if seen only in an energy sense. However, If the energy saving opportunities of a building are seen in relation to the other improvement needs in a building, then the profitability of the proposed measures increases. For example, after additional insulation of walls heat will be saved but also cold and draught problems are decreased. The installation of additional insulation requires a new wall covering, which increases the service life of the building. Heat savings bring many other positive consequences.