Real-world examples of conducting a commercial energy audit (and what they actually reveal)

Instead of opening with definitions, let’s go straight into the field. Below are several real-world style examples of conducting a commercial energy audit that mirror what professional auditors do every day. As you read, notice the pattern: data, walk-through, diagnostics, and then prioritized actions with payback periods.

Office building example of a Level 1 walk-through energy audit

Picture a five-story, 80,000-square-foot office building from the early 2000s. The property manager is dealing with rising utility costs and tenant complaints about hot and cold spots. They hire an auditor for a basic ASHRAE Level 1–style audit.

How the audit is conducted:

The auditor starts by pulling 24 months of utility data and normalizing it using local weather data (heating and cooling degree days from NOAA). This quickly shows that electricity use is 15–20% higher than peer buildings of similar size in the region, based on benchmarks like the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager (epa.gov).

During the on-site walk-through, the auditor:

• Logs lighting types and counts (fluorescent troffers, exit signs, parking lot fixtures)
• Checks thermostat setpoints and scheduling on the building automation system (BAS)
• Measures supply and return air temperatures at a few representative air handling units
• Uses a handheld meter to spot-check plug loads in break rooms and open office areas

Findings examples include:

• Lights in corridors and conference rooms running 18 hours a day, even when unoccupied
• Simultaneous heating and cooling on two floors due to misconfigured BAS schedules
• Old exit signs using 20–30 watts each instead of modern LED fixtures under 5 watts
• Desktop computers and monitors left on 24/7 in many cubicles

Resulting measures:

From this example of a commercial energy audit, the report recommends:

• LED retrofit for common-area lighting with occupancy sensors
• Reprogramming BAS schedules and tightening deadbands (the temperature range where neither heating nor cooling runs)
• Replacing exit signs with LED models
• Enforcing a PC power management policy

The auditor estimates a 15–18% reduction in annual electricity use with simple paybacks under three years, plus improved comfort and fewer hot/cold complaints.

Retail chain example of conducting a portfolio-wide commercial energy audit

Now shift to a national retail chain with 60 stores across multiple states. Their leadership wants consistent energy performance and a credible path toward corporate emissions goals.

How the audit program is structured:

Rather than auditing every store in the same depth, they combine data analytics with targeted site visits. The first phase uses smart meter data and interval analysis to flag outliers. Stores with unusually high kWh per square foot or heavy night-time loads become priority sites.

On those sites, examples of conducting a commercial energy audit include:

• Reviewing utility bills and demand charges to understand peak demand behavior
• Inspecting rooftop units (RTUs) for age, refrigerant leaks, and control settings
• Logging refrigeration loads and anti-sweat heater controls
• Measuring lighting levels and checking for over-lighting in certain zones

Typical findings examples include:

• RTUs running in occupied mode all night due to incorrect time clocks
• Night lighting schedules set for cleaning crews that no longer work overnight
• Refrigeration cases with anti-sweat heaters permanently on, even in low humidity
• Stores over-lit by 30–40% compared with current IES lighting recommendations

Portfolio impact:

By standardizing these examples of conducting a commercial energy audit across the chain, the company:

• Establishes standard RTU setpoints and schedules
• Rolls out a chain-wide LED retrofit with dimming controls
• Adds store-level energy dashboards so managers can see weekly usage

The result: a 20–25% reduction in electricity use in the worst-performing stores and around 10% portfolio-wide, verified using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and third-party M&V (measurement and verification) aligned with U.S. DOE guidance (energy.gov).

Warehouse and logistics center example of a deeper commercial energy audit

Warehouses are often written off as “just big boxes,” but they can be serious energy hogs, especially with 24/7 operations and aging HVAC.

Consider a 250,000-square-foot distribution center built in the 1990s. Management wants to cut operating costs and qualify for state incentives.

Audit approach:

This example of conducting a commercial energy audit is closer to an ASHRAE Level 2. The auditor:

• Gathers utility data and separates base load, weather-dependent load, and process loads
• Uses data loggers to track temperature and humidity in different zones over several days
• Evaluates the compressed air system, a frequent hidden energy sink
• Analyzes forklift charging schedules and peak demand impact

Findings examples include:

• High-intensity discharge (HID) lighting burning all day in aisles that are rarely used
• Poorly controlled make-up air units heating the warehouse even when loading dock doors are open
• Compressed air leaks wasting up to 25–30% of compressor output
• Forklift chargers all set to start at the same time, spiking demand charges

Recommended measures:

Measures from this example of a commercial energy audit include:

• Converting HID fixtures to high-bay LEDs with aisle-level occupancy sensors
• Adding destratification fans and improving dock door seals
• Implementing a compressed air leak detection and repair program, guided by U.S. DOE compressed air best practices (energy.gov)
• Staggering forklift charging to flatten the demand profile

The combined measures cut electricity use by around 30% and reduced demand charges by 15%, with utility incentives covering a significant portion of upfront costs.

Healthcare facility example of conducting a commercial energy audit with indoor air quality in mind

Hospitals and clinics are energy intensive and tightly regulated environments. Any example of conducting a commercial energy audit here has to balance efficiency with patient safety and strict ventilation standards.

Audit scope:

A regional hospital system engages an audit team to look at one 300,000-square-foot acute care facility. The focus is on HVAC, ventilation, and controls.

The audit team:

• Reviews mechanical drawings and sequences of operation for air handling units
• Compares actual air changes per hour with guidelines from bodies like ASHRAE and the CDC (cdc.gov)
• Logs operating schedules for surgery suites, imaging rooms, and administrative spaces
• Checks chiller and boiler efficiencies against design values

Findings examples include:

• Operating rooms maintained at full airflow 24/7, even when unoccupied
• Simultaneous heating and cooling in patient corridors
• Over-ventilation in some non-clinical areas beyond what is needed for code compliance
• Aging chillers operating below rated efficiency during part-load conditions

Energy and health outcomes:

From this example of a commercial energy audit, the hospital:

• Implements setback strategies for operating rooms when unoccupied, while maintaining infection control requirements
• Tunes control sequences to avoid simultaneous heating and cooling
• Rebalances ventilation to meet but not exceed code in non-critical spaces
• Plans a staged chiller replacement, supported by life-cycle cost analysis

The result is a double win: lower energy use (often 10–15% for HVAC) and better control of temperature and humidity, which supports patient comfort and infection prevention.

Small business example of a low-cost commercial energy audit

Not every organization has a six-figure capital budget. A small, 5,000-square-foot independent grocery store wants to understand where its energy dollars are going.

Audit activities:

A utility-sponsored auditor provides a low-cost walk-through. In this example of conducting a commercial energy audit on a tight budget, the focus is on simple observations and quick measurements:

• Checking door gaskets on refrigerated cases
• Measuring case temperatures and defrost cycles
• Inspecting lighting and controls
• Reviewing utility bills for time-of-use patterns

Findings examples include:

• Open refrigerated cases with missing or damaged night curtains
• Freezers running colder than necessary (e.g., −15°F where −5°F would be fine)
• Mixed lighting types with multiple color temperatures and poor efficacy
• Old vending machines and beverage coolers with no occupancy controls

Immediate actions:

Even without a big capital plan, this example of a commercial energy audit leads to:

• Installing or repairing night curtains
• Adjusting setpoints to manufacturer-recommended ranges
• Replacing the worst-performing lighting with LEDs during normal maintenance cycles
• Adding plug-in occupancy controls to vending machines

The store sees noticeable bill reductions within a few months, and the owner now has a prioritized list of future upgrades.

How 2024–2025 trends are changing examples of conducting a commercial energy audit

Energy audits in 2024–2025 look different from audits a decade ago. The best examples of conducting a commercial energy audit now use more data, more automation, and stronger links to carbon and ESG reporting.

Key trends shaping modern audits:

• Advanced metering and analytics: Smart meters and submetering let auditors see hourly or even 15-minute usage. That means examples of conducting a commercial energy audit increasingly include load profiling, anomaly detection, and benchmarking against large datasets.
• Building automation and fault detection: Many buildings now have BAS or even fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) platforms. Auditors can pull trend logs directly, spotting issues like stuck dampers, hunting control valves, or short-cycling equipment.
• Electrification and decarbonization: In cities with building performance standards or carbon caps, audits now evaluate gas-fired equipment, electrification options, and potential for heat pumps. Guidance from organizations like the U.S. Department of Energy and international bodies such as the IEA is increasingly referenced in reports.
• Integration with ESG and disclosure rules: For larger companies, examples of conducting a commercial energy audit often tie directly into greenhouse gas inventories (Scope 1 and 2) and public reporting.

These trends don’t replace the basics—someone still has to walk the building—but they make the findings more accurate and the business case easier to quantify.

Turning examples into your own audit roadmap

If you’re trying to move from reading examples of conducting a commercial energy audit to actually commissioning one, here’s how to use what you’ve just seen.

Start with your data. Gather at least 12–24 months of utility bills. Use free tools like ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to benchmark your building against peers. This will show whether you’re an average performer or an outlier.

Decide your audit depth. For a first pass, a walk-through style audit (similar to the office or small business examples above) might be enough to uncover low-cost measures. If you’re planning major capital projects, lean toward a deeper Level 2–style audit with some field measurements and simple modeling.

Look for patterns across sites. If you manage multiple buildings, treat the retail chain and warehouse examples as a template. Identify your worst performers, standardize controls, and repeat successful measures portfolio-wide.

Use incentives and technical assistance. Many utilities and state energy offices offer subsidies or free audits, especially for small and medium businesses. Check your local energy office or utility’s efficiency programs—often linked from state .gov sites or public utility commission pages.

Insist on a prioritized, quantified report. Any worthwhile example of a commercial energy audit should produce a report that:

• Lists measures with estimated savings, costs, and payback
• Clearly separates no-cost/low-cost actions from capital projects
• Flags measures that may qualify for incentives or tax benefits

If your report doesn’t do that, push back. You’re not paying for a glossy binder; you’re paying for a decision-making tool.

FAQ: common questions about examples of conducting a commercial energy audit

Q1. What are some typical examples of low-cost measures from a commercial energy audit?

Common low-cost findings include tightening HVAC schedules, adjusting thermostat setpoints, fixing or replacing failed sensors, enabling setback modes on BAS, repairing door seals on refrigerated cases, and installing occupancy sensors in restrooms and storage areas. These measures often come out of the kind of walk-through examples of conducting a commercial energy audit described for offices and small businesses.

Q2. Can you give an example of a payback period for lighting upgrades?

A frequent example of a commercial energy audit finding is a recommendation to replace fluorescent or HID lighting with LEDs and add controls. In many U.S. markets, especially where electricity costs are moderate to high and incentives are available, simple payback can range from 1.5 to 4 years, depending on hours of use and incentive levels.

Q3. How often should a commercial energy audit be repeated?

For most buildings, repeating a formal audit every 3–5 years works well, especially if you’ve made major equipment changes or expanded your space. In fast-changing operations like data centers or large warehouses, some organizations review audit recommendations annually and update them using ongoing metering data instead of waiting for a full new audit.

Q4. Are there standard guidelines that good audit examples follow?

Yes. Many high-quality examples of conducting a commercial energy audit align with ASHRAE’s Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits and use benchmarking methods endorsed by the U.S. EPA and U.S. DOE. While you don’t need to memorize the standards, asking your auditor whether they follow ASHRAE guidance is a good quality check.

Q5. Do all commercial energy audits include indoor air quality checks?

Not always, but they should at least consider ventilation and comfort. In sensitive settings like healthcare and labs, indoor air quality is central, as shown in the hospital example above. In offices and schools, auditors increasingly reference guidance from organizations like ASHRAE and the CDC when recommending ventilation and filtration changes.

The bottom line: examples of conducting a commercial energy audit are not just academic case studies. They’re roadmaps. Use these examples to frame your own audit scope, ask sharper questions, and insist on recommendations that translate into measurable savings and better-performing buildings.