An energy audit is an inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows for energy Conservation in a building, process or system to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without negatively affecting the output(s).
When the object of study is an occupied building then reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving human comfort, health and safety are of primary concern. Beyond simply identifying the sources of energy use, an energy audit seeks to prioritize the energy uses according to the greatest to least cost effective opportunities for energy savings.
Due to the problems of wasting energy in existing Iranian buildings, energy auditing in buildings was defined as one of the most important tasks in our department.
Special measurements are being taken by IFCO to promote energy auditing in Iran; such as building's energy auditing for 50 high consumption buildings of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC).
The most important issues in the audit reports are:
1. Visiting buildings and describing the general status of buildings
2. Identifying major defects in the design
3. Computing the General potential of energy saving in buildings
4. Estimating the overall potential for energy savings in buildings
5. Identifying opportunities for energy savings without considering economic issues
6. Determination of investment payback period separately
7. Evaluating the load to the structure of implementation strategies
8. Proposing implementable and convenient economical strategies for energy optimizing and reducing energy consumption
At present, after energy auditing and determining strategies foe energy reservation, we are implementing proposed actions with low or medium cost conditions in the mentioned buildings. (High energy consumption buildings of National Iranian Oil Company).
Among the activities of Implementation strategies for energy conservation in the mentioned buildings, we can indicate the followings:
1. Replacing existing windows with double glazing windows
2. Installations optimization
3. Installing solar water heaters
