ARCHIVED - Audit Standards Guidelines – The Federal Buildings Initiative

5. Draft Terms of Reference

This section summarizes the four levels of energy audit in terms of general specifications. Draft terms of reference are listed for both data requirements and deliverables expected and may be used as a starting point by facility managers.

5.1 Yardstick Audit

Data Requirements

The contractor shall obtain the following:

• Utility billing data for each energy type and month for the most recent 24 months. Energy units and costs should be obtained in all cases.
• Building area (typically the net conditioned or net leasable area). The building's architectural drawings, leasing records or direct measurement should be used to source this data.
• Site-specific annual weather data, including heating degree-days, cooling degree-days and wet bulb degree-hours. Other data may include solar radiation and wind speed and direction, if these are major factors in the performance of this type of facility.
• A building energy performance database or reference for similar building types, location and use.

Deliverables

The contractor shall provide the following:

• A building energy performance index (BEPI) - in equivalent kilowatt hours per square metre per year or equivalent kilowatt hours per square foot per year - for each building in the facility. All energy types shall be combined using common units and divided by the building's conditioned floor area.
• A building energy cost index (BECI) in dollars per square metre per year or dollars per square foot per year. All forms of energy costs shall be combined and divided by the building's area.
• Total building annual energy profiles by month for a period of 24 months. Both energy demand and use for different energy types shall be tabulated and plotted by month to illustrate a profile. The contractor shall provide a discussion on seasonal peaks and variations.
• Summaries of summer and winter peak demands. This shall be provided for all energy types, along with a discussion on the dominant season and energy type.
• A summary of energy use data normalization factors as the basis for gauging future changes in building size, energy pricing, building use, operating schedules, weather and any other building energy determining factors.
• An estimate of energy-saving potential using the building's BEPI and BECI with the statistical average for building type, location and use.
• A list of areas for further study based on observations from seasonal peaks, seasonal variations, base load, load factor and power factor, as determined from utility billing data.

5.2 Screening Audit

Data Requirements

The contractor shall obtain the following:

• Utility billing data for each energy type and month for the most recent 24 months. Energy units and costs should be obtained in all cases.
• Building area (typically the net conditioned or net leasable area). The building's architectural drawings, leasing records or direct measurement should be used to source this data.
• Site-specific annual weather data, including heating degree-days, cooling degree-days and wet bulb degree-hours. Other data may include solar radiation and wind speed and direction, if these are major factors in the performance of this type of facility.
• A building energy performance database or reference for similar building types, location and use.
• A general description of building systems by end-use, technologies and operating schedules. These may be determined through an arm's-length review of technical drawings and operating manuals, including a discussion with the building's operator. Specific details of each end-use may include types of technologies, condition and operating lighting, schedules, ventilation and heating and cooling systems. This may be provided in broad terms.

Deliverables

The contractor shall provide the following:

• A building energy performance index (BEPI) - in equivalent kilowatt hours per square metre per year or equivalent kilowatt hours per square foot per year - for each building in the facility. All energy types shall be combined using common units and divided by the building's conditioned floor area.
• A building energy cost index (BECI) in dollars per square metre per year or dollars per square foot per year. All forms of energy costs shall be combined and divided by the building's area.
• Total building annual energy profiles by month for a period of 24 months. Both energy demand and use for different energy types shall be tabulated and plotted by month to illustrate a profile. The contractor shall provide a discussion on seasonal peaks and variations.
• Summaries of summer and winter peak demands. This shall be provided for all energy types, along with a discussion on the dominant season and energy type.
• A summary of energy use data normalization factors as the basis for gauging future changes in building size, energy pricing, building use, operating schedules, weather and any other building energy determining factors.
• An estimate of energy-saving potential using the building's BEPI and BECI with the statistical average for building type, location and use.
• A list of areas for further study based on observations from seasonal peaks, seasonal variations, base load, load factor and power factor, as determined from utility billing data.
• A description of the building, building systems and operation.
• A preliminary end-use breakdown of all energy consumption by use.
• A preliminary list of energy management opportunities (EMOs) based on typical retrofits and the technologies known to exist in the building.
• Preliminary calculations of energy savings and operating benefits derived from EMOs. These should fit with the targeted potential savings derived from the BEPI analysis in the yardstick audit.
• Rough estimates of costs.

5.3 Walkthrough Audit

Data Requirements

The contractor shall perform the following tasks:

• Obtain utility billing data for each energy type and month for the most recent 24 months. Energy units and costs should be obtained in all cases.
• Obtain building area (typically the net conditioned or net leasable area). The building's architectural drawings, leasing records or direct measurement should be used to source this data.
• Obtain site-specific annual weather data, including heating degree-days, cooling degree-days and wet bulb degree-hours. Other data may include solar radiation and wind speed direction, if these are major factors in the performance of this type of facility.
• Obtain a building energy performance database or reference for similar building types, location and use.
• Conduct a site visit and interview with the building operator to obtain specific information, including the following:
  • building shape, size, orientation and location data;
  • building envelope details and condition;
  • electrical and mechanical equipment condition and performance, including load inventory;
  • controls or automation type, condition, status and set-up (programming); and
  • operating procedures and attitudes undertaken and understood by the building operator.

Deliverables

The contractor shall provide the following:

• A building energy performance index (BEPI) - in equivalent kilowatt hours per square metre per year or equivalent kilowatt hours per square foot per year - for each building in the facility. All energy types shall be combined using common units and divided by the building's conditioned floor area.
• A building energy cost index (BECI) in dollars per square metre per year or dollars per square foot per year. All forms of energy costs shall be combined and divided by the building's area.
• Total building annual energy profiles by month for a period of 24 months. Both energy demand and use for different energy types shall be tabulated and plotted by month to illustrate a profile. The contractor shall provide a discussion on seasonal peaks and variations.
• Summaries of summer and winter peak demands. This shall be provided for all energy types, along with a discussion on the dominant season and energy type.
• A summary of energy use data normalization factors as the basis for gauging future changes in building size, energy pricing, building use, operating schedules, weather and any other building energy determining factors.
• An estimate of energy-saving potential using the building's BEPI and BECI with the statistical average for building type, location and use.
• A description of the building, building systems and operation.
• A complete list of energy management opportunities (EMOs) based on typical retrofits and the technologies known to exist in the building.
• Detailed calculations of energy savings and operating benefits derived from EMOs. This includes single EMOs as well as combinations, where applicable.
• Preliminary engineering designs for EMO installation and interfacing with other building systems and EMOs.
• Preliminary estimates of costs for all EMOs and combinations of EMOs.
• Suggestions for improvements in operating procedures, including training of building operator, improved monitoring systems and better documentation.

5.4 Engineering Audit

Data Requirements

The contractor shall perform the following tasks:

• Obtain utility billing data for each energy type and month for the most recent 24 months. Energy units and costs should be obtained in all cases.
• Obtain building area (typically the net conditioned or net leasable area). The building's architectural drawings, leasing records or direct measurement should be used to source this data.
• Obtain site-specific annual weather data, including heating degree-days, cooling degree-days and wet bulb degree-hours. Other data may include solar radiation and wind speed direction, if these are major factors in the performance of this type of facility.
• Obtain a building energy performance database or reference for comparable building types, location and use.
• Conduct one or more site visits and interviews with building operators, building managers, design engineers, service contractors and equipment suppliers to obtain specific information on building systems and operation and interfacing of proposed retrofit systems and operating procedures.
• Obtain and review detailed (as-built) building drawings, if available, including architectural, mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Obtain and review detailed building operation guides, if available, including mechanical, electrical and control systems and log sheets for heating and cooling plants.
• Obtain measurements and monitoring of systems' performance and efficiency, including heating plant, cooling plant, distribution systems, ventilation systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting systems and control systems.
• Obtain and review records of building systems' changes and problems in overall operation, including increasing electrical loads, alterations, additions or use changes and concerns over indoor air quality, power quality or environmental quality.
• Examine and confirm budgeting constraints and information related to available financing or funding, by or for the owner.

Deliverables

The contractor shall

• Provide a building energy performance index (BEPI) - equivalent kilowatt hours per square metre per year or equivalent kilowatt hours per square foot per year - for each building in the facility. All energy types shall be combined using common units and divided by the building's conditioned floor area.
• Provide a building energy cost index (BECI) in dollars per square metre per year or dollars per square foot per year. All forms of energy costs shall be combined and divided by the building's area.
• Provide total building annual energy profiles by month for a period of 24 months. Both energy demand and use for different energy types shall be tabulated and plotted by month to illustrate a profile. The contractor shall provide an analysis of seasonal peaks and variations.
• Provide summaries of summer and winter peak demands. This shall be provided for all energy types, along with an analysis of the dominant season and energy type.
• Provide a summary of energy use data normalization factors as the basis for gauging future changes in building size, energy pricing, building use, operating schedules, weather and any other building energy determining factors.
• Provide an estimate of energy-saving potential using the building's BEPI and BECI with the statistical average for building type, location and use.
• Provide a description of the building, building systems and operation.
• Provide a complete list of EMOs based on typical retrofits and the technologies known to exist in the building.
• Provide detailed calculations of energy savings and operating benefits derived from EMOs. This includes single EMOs as well as combinations, where applicable.
• Provide preliminary engineering designs for EMO installation and interfacing with other building systems and EMOs.
• Provide preliminary estimates of costs for all EMOs and combinations of EMOs.
• Provide suggestions for improvements in operating procedures, including training of building operator, improved monitoring systems and better documentation.
• Summarize discussions with other building operation and design personnel.
• Provide final calculations of energy savings and operating benefits derived from EMOs, including computer simulations when used.
• Provide final engineering designs for EMO installation and interfacing with other building systems and EMOs. This may include computer-aided design (CAD) schematics of systems to detail the sequence of operation or installation, or floor plans to detail equipment location and system servicing requirements.
• Provide detailed estimates of all costs associated with the project, including management, tendering, engineering, equipment, installation, commissioning and monitoring, and possibly financing, especially through energy savings.