Energy-Saving Audits
Energy audits can identify ways to save energy and reduce operating costs. If you think you might be spending more on energy than you should, then it's time to consider a professional energy audit. Minnesota Energy Resources will even help you pay for an energy audit. Two types of audits are available.
Level I Audit
The Level I energy audit includes an overview of your business' annual energy consumption and a walk through to evaluate the performance of your existing facility. This audit will encourage your business to reduce energy use by 10%. It includes an on-site inspection of your facility to identify specific issues and needs. You will be provided with:
- A description of the facility, including:
- Brief description of what type of activity occurs in the facility.
- Square footage.
- Year built.
- Building envelope and insulation.
- HVAC system, domestic hot water, commercial cooking & age.
- A summary of your business' annual gas consumption by month.
- Operation and maintenance recommendations.
- A brief overview of equipment replacement and projected annual energy savings.
- Identify applicable Minnesota Energy Resources Rebates.
Level II Audit
The second phase is a more in-depth study which includes capital cost items such as boiler or burner replacements, energy management upgrades, etc. If applicable, this audit will work in cooperation with your electric utility.
The Level II audit provides a comprehensive report with detailed energy efficiency recommendations. This report includes the following:
- On-site inspection of the facility to identify specific issues and needs, including:
- Building envelope, windows/doors, sidewall and attic and including insulation levels.
- Inspection of HVAC equipment and your current operation of this equipment.
- Evaluation of HVAC system efficiency.
- Operations and maintenance procedures.
- A description of the facility, including:
- Description of what type of activity occurs in the facility.
- Square footage.
- Year built.
- Building envelope and insulation.
- HVAC system, domestic hot water, commercial cooking & age.
- Major equipment list including hours of operation.
- A summary of important findings along with any supporting data, measurements, drawings, etc.
- A summary of your business' annual gas consumption by month.
- Gas usage pie chart with calculated annual heating costs for windows/doors, attic/roof, sidewalls, fresh air ventilation including domestic hot water, laundry, kitchen appliances and other major equipment.
- Operation and maintenance recommendations, including ways to:
- Optimize equipment operation.
- Update energy management protocol.
- Improve maintenance practices and operational changes.
- Major equipment investment recommendations, including:
- Replacement HVAC equipment size calculation bases upon heat loss and ventilation analysis.
- Calculated annual energy savings based upon building science.
- Economic analysis (payback, ROI, etc.).
- Identify applicable Minnesota Energy Resources Rebates available.
- Customer assistance when evaluating contractor bids and completing rebate application forms.
Non-profits, schools and governmental customers can get either audit at no cost with a cap of $500 for a Level I audit and $800 for a Level II audit.
All other types of C/I customers that are not included in the non-profits, schools and governmental group will be eligible for a 50% reimbursement, up to $250 for a Level I and $400 for a Level II. The $400 rebate for the Level II audit will only be made once the customer actually implements a minimum of one of the recommendations in the Level II audit that qualifies for a C/I Rebate.
There will be a limit of three buildings per customer per year for audit incentives. Audits must be performed by qualified professionals*.
*Qualified is defined as having a CEM, being a Professional Engineer, or having equivalent experience.
You may have the audit performed by any qualified auditor of your choosing. Please be sure the auditor you select can meet the Criteria for Auditors and Energy Audits provided below.
Or you may sign up today to request an audit for your business using our certified energy auditor. The certified energy auditor will contact you in 1-5 business days to schedule an appointment.
To qualify for this rebate, the audit must be paid in full to the auditing company. The commercial or industrial customer must install energy-efficient equipment or improvements that qualify for a Minnesota Energy Resources Prescriptive or Custom rebate. The audit rebate must be processed in unison with a Minnesota Energy Resources Prescriptive or Custom rebate. A complete copy of the audit and proof of payment must accompany the application.
Please note: Funding is limited and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. This program ends December 31, or when funding runs out.
Criteria for Auditors and Energy Audits
Only audits completed by auditors meeting the following criteria will qualify for the audit rebate:
- Energy audits may be offered by qualified individuals or firms.
- Firms offering energy audits must provide documentation of the qualifications of the individual performing the audit.
- All individuals who perform energy audits must be certified by the Association of Energy Engineers as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM), or have a Professional Engineer's license in the state where energy auditing services are offered, or both. Minnesota Energy Resources may, at its sole discretion, consider alternative certifications. Auditors should also indicate any special training or qualifications related to energy efficiency.
- Auditors must indicate any limitations or restrictions in their scope of services.
- Auditors must disclose if they have any affiliations with equipment manufacturers, vendors, distributors, installation contractors, or energy services contractors (ESCOs).
Energy audits must include the following information in order to qualify for a rebate:
- Name and address of the facility, natural gas utility account numbers, customer contact information, and the date of the audit.
- Auditor's name, contact information and proof of certification as a Certified Energy Manager and/or Minnesota Professional Engineers license number. Other certifications may be included as applicable. Auditors must include a disclosure if they have any affiliations with equipment manufacturers, vendors, distributors, installation contractors, or energy services contractors (ESCOs).
- A summary of the client's annual energy consumption by month.
- A description of the facility, including square footage, building envelope, major energy consuming equipment, hours of operation, number of occupants, and a description of what is done in the facility.
- A summary of important findings along with any supporting data, measurements, drawings, etc.
- A list of recommendations for increasing energy efficiency which may include equipment replacement and upgrades, improved maintenance practices, operational changes, and waste minimization.
- Estimated capital costs and annual energy savings for each recommended energy efficiency measure.