Energy benchmarking has become an essential tool as the world grows towards sustainable and cost-efficient ways to manage energy performance. Energy benchmarking is comparing your building’s energy performance to industry standards. Insight Energy Consulting has emerged as a leading provider of energy benchmarking services. The services include identifying inefficiencies by thoroughly assessing the building’s energy consumption patterns and bills. After detecting inefficiencies, recommendations for improvements are provided. 

Energy benchmarking not only enhances the energy efficiency of a building but also helps reduce costs and energy wastage. 

1. Initial Consultation

• Understanding Client Needs: 

In the beginning, the consultants directly engage with clients to understand their energy performance targets. The objectives and goals of clients are taken into consideration for further process. Priorities and concerns regarding energy efficiency are also discussed. By having this conversation, consultants can better adapt their approach to the unique circumstances according to the required solutions to align with the client’s operational demands and financial objectives.

• Preliminary Data Review:

Energy consultants conduct a preliminary review of the previous energy performance, past utility bills, power consumption records, and relevant documents. These reports are needed to understand the baseline of the current energy performance of the building and hence help in identifying the inefficiencies. Moreover, they provide recommended solutions and upgrades according to the analysis and the energy condition. 

2. Comprehensive Data Collection

• Utility Data Gathering:

All the collection of data involves the previous as well as current utility bills including gas, water, electricity, and steam usage. This process also involves the historical data of the building, typically throughout one to three years. This Data compilation is held to adjust for seasonal differences and offer a solid dataset for analysis. This data helps the consultants to get to know your system more in-depth and hence better strategies can be suggested by them for the growth of your business

• Physical Inspection:

Physical inspection is also an integral part of the audit. The auditors observe your system physically along with a proper examination of the parts of the machinery. This detailed inspection helps the consultants in reaching the potential areas properly and better improvements can be made. The inspection team examines the whole system properly including the complete evaluation of HVAC systems, lighting, insulation, and other high-consumption devices. Inspection helps in suggesting better tips and techniques for better performance. 

3. Benchmarking Setup

• Selecting Benchmarking Tools: 

Selecting the appropriate benchmarking tools and software is essential for energy audits. While keeping in mind the building’s type, its size, the systems used, and its requirements, consultants opt for the adequate benchmarking tool. ENERGY STAR is one of the major benchmarking tools that are widely used for multiple buildings. Other benchmarking tools might also be used for advanced and optimized results. 

• Integration with Systems: 

Integration with building systems is crucial for real-time data collection. Advanced benchmarking software can be directly connected to the building’s data sources like BMS rather than manually inputting data. These systems prevent data from errors while manually entering. Modern benchmarking tools can analyze energy consumption trends, compare energy performance with industry standards, and detect inefficiencies. This integration not only provides benchmarking results but also lays out the building’s overall energy performance. These processes help land owners and managers to make further decisions regarding energy-efficient buildings. 

4. Analysis and Evaluation

• Performance Comparison: 

Energy consultants compare the building’s energy efficiency with industry standards and similar buildings for the benchmarking process. Some metrics are compared such as energy usage intensity (EUI). EUI measures the energy usage per square foot. A higher EUI value means low energy performance. Similarly, the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager analyzes and provides a score that is compared with other buildings’ scores to know where it stands. A higher score is an indication of better energy performance with higher efficiency. 

• Identifying Inefficiencies: 

The metrics mentioned above are used to identify inefficiencies in energy consumption. The metrics values are compared to those of industry-standard values. A higher EUI value indicates excess energy usage and wastage. Focusing on these metrics, consultants can analyze and undermine areas for improvement. The inefficiency can be due to old systems or poor insulation. By knowing the right areas for improvement, consultants can recommend adequate enhancements and replacements in the building. Upgrading traditional systems with modern ones usually helps. 

5. Reporting Findings

• Detailed Reports: 

After analyzing the building’s energy consumption, the benchmarking process requires detailed reports with inefficiencies and potential improvements. The reports contain every assessment of the building carried out by auditors. After comparing the building’s metrics with industry standards, reports are updated with suggested action plans for improving energy efficiency and saving costs. Graphical representation of reports makes it easier to understand the results for everyone. 

• Presentation to Stakeholders: 

The generated reports are designed to be presented to building owners and stakeholders. This is done to keep them updated on their efforts and to get their initiative on further energy efficiency measures. The key findings are highlighted to explain to the authorities the potential risks and improvements. Financial and environmental benefits such as cost reduction, reduced utility bills, and increased marketability are emphasized. 

6. Developing an Action Plan

• Prioritized Recommendations: 

Consultants develop actionable recommendations designed to meet the building’s requirements. They are based on improvement measures such as cost-effectiveness and enhanced energy efficiency. Usually, less costly improvements are implemented such as reshaping the existing energy systems. Bigger upgrades like replacing HVAC systems, lighting, and insulation are long-term recommendations that require larger budgets. 

• Engagement with Decision Makers: 

Decision-makers are an asset to the benchmarking process reports. Decision-makers are expert consultants who make actionable plans that are easily representable to stakeholders and building owners. They consider the building’s needs to lay out budget estimations and timelines for achieving targets. These engagements are to make sure that stakeholder’s budgets and goals align with recommendations. 

7. Implementation Support

• Project Coordination: 

Energy consultants thoroughly examine the systems and suggest helpful measures that can be taken. According to the internal condition of the machinery and equipment, they make sure to align with the goals of the company. Consultants take months and milestones to plan a proper implementation schedule according to the inefficiencies of the company. After the needed updates, consultants test and monitor the results and recommend improvements accordingly.

• Vendor Coordination:

Consultants stay in contact with the vendors and contractors to ensure the upgrades are being carried out by their targets. They assist in negotiating every detail before selecting the changes in the system. Moreover,  consultants ensure the approval of the vendors at every step of the updates in the system. Lastly, they oversee the work if they meet the specifications set by the vendors. 

8. Monitoring and Verification

• Performance Tracking

After the upgrades, consultants set up systems to monitor and evaluate the performance of the system compared to the previous conditions. They ensure that the improvements are showing results or need to be focused on again. Consultants help in ensuring that all the new measures meet the standards of the company and fulfill their needs.

• Adjustments and Optimization: 

Regular audits and constant evaluations are carried out to keep a check on the results. Even if the results meet the needs of the vendors and the company, they still keep monitoring the performance and implement several changes if needed. 

9. Continuous Improvement

• Regular Reviews: 

Regularly reviewing and assessing the benchmarking updates like the implementation of recommendations is essential to make your building energy-efficient and sustainable. Regular monitoring provides a baseline for comparing energy performance with the latest benchmarking standards. 

• Adaptation to Changes: 

In today’s era of technology, businesses need to comply with recent updates every minute. Challenges and opportunities are everywhere. Thus, the Insight Energy Consulting team helps you with required updations and upgrades in your building for enhanced energy efficiency. 

Conclusion

Benchmarking consultants from Insight Energy Consulting help businesses in numerous ways. The expert consultants do everything you need to enhance energy efficiency from analyzing energy usage patterns to providing action plans for improvements. Registered companies know the latest updates in benchmarking processes and thus help reduce costs and environmental impact to a significant level. 

If your business is waiting for a professional energy benchmarking process, seek expert consultants who do not disappoint. Insight Energy Consulting can be your reliable source for gaining professional guidance that not only improves energy efficiency but also helps you stick to sustainable regulatory compliance.