The Difference Between ASHRAE Level 1, 2 & 3 Energy Audits

Microgrid Energy performs energy audits, or energy assessments, for commercial

businesses across the country. Depending on the locale, there may be utility
incentives to defray the cost of the audit. Not all energy audits are the same, and it is
helpful to understand the various levels of audits that are performed.
An energy audit is a systematic approach to problem solving and decision making.
The primary goals of an energy audit are to qualify and quantify how the building
energy systems are performing now, how that performance can be improved, and
what will be the outcomes of those improvements for the Owner in financial and non-
financial terms.
Energy audits vary in depth, depending on the configuration of the building energy
systems, the project parameters set by the client, and the scope and capabilities
offered by the energy auditor. Because it usually is not possible to know where the
audit process will lead and what level of effort will be most cost effective, ASHRAE
(American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) has
defined three progressive levels, or types, of audits.
ASHRAE Level 1 Walk-Through Analysis/Preliminary Audit
The Level 1 audit alternatively is called a simple audit, screening audit or walk-
through audit and is the basic starting point for building energy optimization. It
involves brief interviews with site operating personnel, a review of the facilitys utility
bills and other operating data, and an abbreviated walk-through of the building. The
ASHRAE Level-1 audit is geared toward the identification of the potential for energy
improvements, understanding the general building configuration, and defining the
type and nature of energy systems. The audit should result in a preliminary, high-
level, energy-use analysis for the entire facility, and a short report detailing the
findings, which may include identifying a variety of recognizable efficiency
opportunities. Usually this report does not provide detailed recommendations, except
for very visible projects or operational faults.
The ASHRAE Level-1 audit is intended to help the energy team understand where
the building performs relative to its peers; establish a baseline for measuring
improvements; deciding whether further evaluation is warranted; and if so, where
and how to focus that effort. The Level-1 also will outline the range of potential
financial incentives available from Federal, State, Local, and Utility sources.
Microgrid Energy includes an ASHRAE Level-1 audit/assessment as part of all of our
Solar Installations.

ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Survey and Analysis
The next step for most facilities is the ASHRAE Level-2 audit/assessment. The
Level-2 project starts with the findings of the Level-1 audit, and evaluates the
building energy systems in detail to define a variety of potential energy-efficiency
improvements. This should include the Building Envelope, Lighting, Heating,
Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Domestic Hot Water (DHW), Plug Loads,
and Compressed Air and Process Uses (for manufacturing, service, or processing
facilities). This study starts with a detailed analysis of energy consumption to
quantify base loads, seasonal variation, and effective energy costs. From there, the
study should include an evaluation of lighting, air quality, temperature, ventilation,
humidity, and other conditions that may affect energy performance and occupant
comfort. The process also includes detailed discussions with the building Ownership,
Management, and Occupants to explore potential problem areas, and clarify financial
and non-financial goals of the program.
The Level-2 audit should result in a clear and concise report and briefing with the
Owner and Management Team describing a variety of Energy Efficiency Measures
(EEMs) including no- and low-cost measures, modifications to system controls and
building automation, operational changes, and potential capital upgrades. The
findings should include general costs and performance metrics, as well as a means
for the Owner to evaluate the EEMs and decide how to proceed with implementation.
Many of the EEMs revealed during the ASHRAE Level-2 audit can be implemented
quickly with rapid or immediate financial payback for the Owner. Other EEMs will
require more detailed analysis of benefit and cost and the other goals that are
important to the Owner. The audit should define next steps to accomplish this
analysis and decision making. Sometimes it is through discussion with
manufacturers or suppliers or other relatively simple means. For other EEMs,
involving complex interaction among building systems and potentially large financial
investments, it may be necessary to dig deeper into the building operation and also
the human factors influencing performance. This is where the ASHRAE Level-3
audit becomes essential.






ASHRAE Level 3 Detailed Analysis of Capital Intensive Modifications
Some of the system upgrades or retrofits revealed by the Level-2 audit may require
significant investments of capital, personnel, and other limited resources. Before
making this level of investment, the Owner will want to have a much more thorough
and detailed understanding of the benefits, costs, and performance expectations.
This is the purpose of the investment-grade Level-3 ASHRAE audit. There may be
only a few capital-intensive EEMs exposed by the Level-2 audit, or there may be
dozens for larger facilities. Investment levels can range from tens of thousands to
tens of millions of dollars. In most cases, since this cannot be clearly determined or
accurately estimated in advance, the recommendation and scope definition for a
Level-3 audit usually is an outcome of the Level-2 process.
The ASHRAE Level-3 audit focuses on a whole-building computer simulation,
where a computer program is used to very accurately model the way the brick-and-
mortar building would respond to changes in the energy systems, whether those are
major HVAC retrofits or architectural modifications to walls, windows, and roof. The
ASHRAE Level-3 audit involves much more detailed data collection over the course
of weeks or months. Data loggers typically will be placed temporarily to monitor the
operation of pumps and motors, temperatures of affected spaces, lighting levels,
switching behavior, and other factors. These data are used to calibrate the computer
model of the facility, so that the computer model responds to inputs and changes the
same way the building could be expected to respond. This calibration is checked and
validated by simulating a year or more of past, minute-by-minute climate conditions
to see if power and energy usage in the model mirrors actual energy power and
energy usage.
Once the three-dimensional computer model is responding like the real building,
changes to energy systems can be simulated with very accurate results. Combining
that process with construction-grade cost estimating supports informed investment
decisions.
The table below summarizes each level.
Type of Audit Highlights
Level 1
Rapid assessment of building energy systems
Building energy benchmark
High-level definition of energy system optimization
opportunitiesOutline applicable incentive programs
Level 2
Detailed building survey of systems and operations
Breakdown of energy source and end use
Identification of EEMs for each energy system
Range of savings and costs for the EEMs
Spotlight on Operational Discrepancies
Outlining priorities for limited resources, next steps, and
identification of EEMs requiring more thorough data collection
and analysis (ASHRAE Level-3)
Level 3
Longer term data collection and analysis
Whole-building computer simulation calibrated with field data
Accurate modeling of EEMs and power/energy response
Bid-level construction cost estimating
Investment-grade, decision-making support
Before beginning an energy audit for a building or portfolio of buildings, we
recommend a preliminary energy-use analysis to compare the Energy Usage Index
(EUI) of each building with the national average and to identify both high and low
energy performers. This usually is done using the Energy Star Portfolio Manager
benchmarking tool. This analysis requires access to energy consumption and cost
data for the last 12-36 months. Once this benchmarking analysis is completed a
recommendation is made as to which buildings should be audited first and the type
of audits to be carried out.
Microgrid Energy provides Energy Star benchmarking, ASHRAE Level-1, -2, and -3
audits for buildings ranging from 3,000,000 square foot convention centers and
professional sports stadiums to 10,000 square foot office buildings. These audits,
and the upgrade that is completed as a result, usually will qualify for utility and tax
incentives.
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