Commercial Energy Auditors conduct in-depth energy audits on commercial buildings and develop energy audit reports that outline a custom plan for energy efficiency improvements and upgrades, cost savings, and maintaining or improving the building’s comfort, reliability and value. In 2018, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, also known as AHRAE, published the first ever standard for energy audits—ASHRAE Standard 211 sets a minimum bar for three different levels of energy audits and creates consistency across the industry.

Commercial Energy Auditors conducting a Level 2 audit (the audit most people are familiar with) start by performing an in-depth inspection and evaluation of a building including the building envelope, building systems such as electrical and mechanical systems, and current building condition and control settings to assess the level of energy being used. Auditors take this data and put together an energy audit report showing current monthly or annual energy use patterns and identifying opportunities to improve the operation, maintenance, and energy efficiency of the building. They provide recommendations for energy-saving measures, taking into account technical feasibility, initial cost investment, future cost-savings, and possible incentives. Auditors also identify any health and safety issues that may arise due to planned improvements, for example tightening a buildings envelope can create air quality challenges. Many Commercial Energy Auditors inspect recently installed energy efficient equipment to ensure that it was installed properly and is performing according to specifications.

An individual can become a Commercial Energy Auditor with no post-secondary education but rather through on-the-job training and years of experience; however, an auditor conducting audits and retro-commissioning studies on large facilities including higher education, healthcare, industrial, and municipalities usually require a four-year degree in engineering (i.e. mechanical or electrical).