One of the things I’m constantly asked about is what an Energy Auditor does. So I thought I would put together a list of some of the major roles and responsibilities energy auditor have whether working in Residential or Commercial auditing. An energy auditor inspects a building, process or system to analyze how energy is being used. He or she carries out a thorough inspection of the building and checks the efficiency of various energy consuming appliances. This includes tracking the energy losses due to heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (HVAC). After conducting the inspection and studying the results, it is the responsibility of the energy auditor to make recommendations for upgrades and modifications which can help in conservation of energy. The duties and responsibilities of an energy auditor can be summarized as follows:

• Detailed Building Inspection – an energy auditor is required to carry out the inspection of energy consuming and energy losing areas of a building or structure. This process is done through the process of a visual inspection and diagnostic evaluations to ensure that those areas are working efficiently so that energy conservation is maximized.
• Calculate Energy Usage and Potential Energy Savings – energy auditors have to look for potential ways through which energy can be conserved. In order to do this, they must be able to calculate the current energy usage of items that draw power including the HVAC system, appliances, lighting, etc. Once the amount of power usage is calculated, they must then be able to calculate potential energy savings of upgrades.
• Determine Upgrade Options Including Payback Schedule – energy auditors are entrusted to estimate the costs associated with upgrading the energy appliances and come up with a projection for various replacement costs. An example would be to determine the payback schedule of an HVAC system upgrade for a home owner. This information helps the home owner realize not only the monthly savings of the upgrade, but also the number of years it will take to recover the costs of upgrading.
• Provide Incentive and Rebate Information – energy auditors are also responsible for providing tax incentive and rebates (including city electric company and gas company rebates) to home owners as part of their overall findings. This information will help the home owner determine the actual payback schedule of doing an energy improvement or upgrade. For example, if the city electric company and gas company provide a $1,000 rebate for doing a full HVAC replacement, this will offset the total amount of time to payback the HVAC upgrade and provide real-world data to help the home owner or business owner make the appropriate decisions.
• Recommend Alternative Energy Sources – energy auditors are often asked to recommend alternative sources of energy, like solar and wind energy so that non-renewable sources of energy are conserved. As an energy auditor, you will need to be able to provide this information along with any tax incentives and rebates applicable for the doing the retrofit or upgrade.
• Report Energy Waste and Saving Opportunities – energy auditors provide their clients with an energy audit report that details the findings of the audit, energy saving opportunities, along with tax incentives and rebates. There is not a standard audit report, so auditors reporting will vary. Energy auditor working with business owners or organizations may also be responsible for preparing an annual activity plan to help the organization cut down on its energy costs.