Department of Defense Energy Manager’s Handbook phần 4 docx

conduct a Level 1 or 2 audit to calculate economic paybacks.

9.5. Preparing for an Energy Audit

One of the most difficult tasks for the energy manager is setting energy audit

priorities among the many opportunities for energy savings. Reviewing past

energy consumption patterns provides an historical trend that may identify

where most energy is consumed, if the installation is sufficiently metered.

Gathering the necessary energy cost and consumption information can be

tedious. However, to prioritize the energy systems audit schedule (based on

highest potential energy and dollar savings), collection and analysis of that

information is essential. The information analysis helps management to focus

and prioritize the workload. Also, that information is needed for calculating

the Savings-to-Investment Ratio for energy conservation projects. It is

important to plan the contents of the final audit report before carrying out the

audit to ensure that the audit gathers the data needed.

Many facilities were audited for energy conservation during the mid-1980s.

Those old audit reports can provide good insight into the extent of prior

energy conservation efforts, progress made to date and the remaining

opportunities for conservation. If any projects were implemented as a result

of those previous audits, those early audit reports become a good basis for

conducting follow-up energy savings audits.

Higher headquarters energy management offices often issue specific

directives and guidance for conducting energy audits. Along with those

directives, the offices sometimes set up a separate fund for energy

conservation projects and may have good ideas on where and how to conduct

an energy audit. In addition, many utility companies offer free energy audits

in conjunction with their DSM programs.

9.6. Organizing the Audit Team

Once the scope of an energy audit has been defined, the next crucial task is

putting together a qualified energy audit team to perform the audit. It is often

difficult to pull qualified engineers and technicians away from their full-time

jobs to perform energy audits. This is where the installation commander's

management commitment is paramount. If the installation commander is

committed to energy conservation, organizing the team members will be

easier. While a large audit team with broad experience provides a more

comprehensive result, the additional price is time spent organizing and

coordinating the team. Ideally, the audit team members should be assigned to

the base energy office.

Although many installations contract energy audit tasks (for many different

reasons), those contracting actions still take time and resources to manage.

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Many utilities offer free or subsidized audits to their customers; however,

installation personnel must still manage this process.

Selecting and training in-house qualified engineers and technicians to perform

energy audits can pay off at project implementation. The personnel should be

sent to energy training courses. Their ideas for developing energy

conservation projects must be obtained. Also, ideas from other installations

can be obtained by contacting higher headquarters counterparts.

Examples of areas where in-house staff members can participate on the audit

team are as follows:

• Lighting analysis: The electrical shop foreman, staff electrical engineer,

or technician can assist in conducting lighting surveys.

• HVAC systems and controls: This area is highly technical. Well-trained

personnel are essential. The mechanical engineer can provide help, if

available. If not, outside help from higher headquarters or contracting

sources may be available.

• Building envelope: Civil engineers and architects can help in identifying

potential energy savings opportunities.

9.7. Performing the Audit

An important requirement of an energy audit is for qualified personnel to

physically inspect buildings and energy systems for inefficiencies. Audit

teams should be organized based upon the types of energy systems being

audited.

Checklists are effective for ensuring that an audit has obtained all of the

necessary information. See Appendix D for checklists for various energy￾using systems. The checklists can be modified to meet an installation's

specific needs.

Building facilities managers should be part of the audit team. They should be

familiar with the workings of different energy systems. More importantly,

they must learn how to operate those systems at peak efficiency. Responsible

maintenance staff members can also help conduct the audit.

Energy-user involvement is another important part of the energy audit. End

users can provide useful information about the past performance of energy

systems.

Outside consultants may be needed to provide needed technical depth and

experience, especially for Level 2 and 3 audits. Also, contractors may offer

the opportunity to complete the audit sooner, especially where existing

personnel have limited time to devote to the task. Be sure to select contractors

who will work with local personnel, since it is the building monitors, facility

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