An energy audit is an inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows in a building, process or system with the objective of understanding the energy dynamics of the system under study.
Typically an energy audit is conducted to seek opportunities to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without negatively impacting the output. When the object of study is an occupied building then reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving human comfort, health and safety are of primary concern. Beyond simply identifying the sources of energy use, an energy audit seeks to prioritize the energy uses according to the greatest to least cost effective opportunities for energy savings.
Energy consumption of buildings which will be built after 01.01.2008 is regulated in Estonia: there is not allowed yearly energy consumption not higher than 180 kWh/m² in cottages, not higher than 150 kWh/m² in apartments of dwelling houses and not higher than 290 kWh/m² in offices.
Costs
of energy audits which are
made by Finestum could
be compensated by Kredex
(the Credit and Export
Guarantee Fund) in amount
of 50% (up to 639 EUR).
Look closer application
process of this: www.kredex.ee
.
If you find that compared to a nearby building, your apartment building has high heating costs or has high water consumption and could benefit from saving on electricity or that renovation would help save much energy, you should start by putting affairs in order as regards energy consumption and ordering an energy audit to get the necessary answers to your doubts and suggestions for further actions, in order to be more conservation-minded when it comes to energy.
Finestum makes energy audit
reports in accordance with
confirmed form of Ministry
of Economy Affairs and
Communications of
Estonia
.
An energy audit also involves
calculations on the payback
period, which will help you to
apply for a loan for renovating
the building.
A thorough energy audit of
a building should include:
- investigation of pipes and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
- structural investigation
- investigation of electrical or automated systems
The energy audit report consists of the following components:
- description of the building
- data on the building
- technical state
- energy-related state
- table offering applications for problem parts of the building along with monetary cost and payback period
Calculation of a building’s energy consumption and energy conservation measures starts with a determination of heat retention, use and expense. The local climatic conditions (degree-days) and construction standards for the building are specified in the project definition. These are adjusted after the audit with U-value parameters derived from actual heat consumption. After the data are standardized, changes derived from the adjustments are made to the values and the potential savings are calculated.
This procedure is repeated separately for each of the following four basic operations: ventilation, water, electricity, external influences. The result obtained is the energy balance basic data. The energy balance data obtained are fed into accounting software and the cost and payback period for the energy conservation measures are calculated. If the payback period exceeds the permitted limits, the values for various basic operations are changed until a list of energy conservation measures suitable for the client's budget is achieved.
Energy
audits initially became popular in
response to the energy crisis of
1973 and later years. Interest in
energy audits has recently
increased as a result of growing
understanding of human impact upon
global warming and climate change
but also as a result of growing
energy prices.
Energy-audit
is only the first step in
finding energy saving
solutions.
Finestum offers as
additional services:
application of grants from
special funds, project
management of renovation
works which includes
co-operation with
architects, finding a
builder and owners survey
over construction works.
