A CDW Energy Audit Can Save You Money and the Environment!

CDW Engineering has been benefiting building owners for over 30 years. One of the best ways to maximize the value of your asset and reduce operating expenses is to retrofit with more efficient electrical and HVAC equipment. This process starts with an Energy Audit.

Why Choose CDW?

Our philosophy for Energy Audits is to provide sound recommendations for upgrades with realistic payback periods. We provide additional value by:

• identifying applicable incentives from various government levels, utility providers, etc.,
• considering the useful life of the existing equipment in our recommendations
• considering how the life expectancy of the recommended retrofits impacts the overall operating cost and
• assisting in the completion of the necessary incentive application forms.

While we understand the need to minimize our impact on the environment, we also recognize that an acceptable return on investment is an important consideration. We do not offer design or contracting services; therefore, you know our opinions are unbiased.

Energy Audit Standards

While there are no published standards which define good commercial and customary practice for conducting a Commercial Building Energy Audit, there are several procedural guidelines. An Energy Audit by CDW is performed by experienced engineers and meets or exceeds the ASHRAE Research Project RP-669 and ASHRAE Special Project SP-56-Procedures for Commercial Building Audits:
and the Natural Resources Canada Federal Building Initiatives – Audit Standard Guidelines

What is an Energy Audit?

The objectives of the energy audit are to identify areas at the building where modifications will reduce energy use and/or the cost of operating the building. In order to ensure fiscal responsibility, the simple ‘payback’ time frame (the capital cost divided by the annual savings) must be considered before recommending the modification.
A second objective is to identify applicable incentive programs (typically offered through government and utility providers) that will assist with the capital costs associated with the modifications.

A CDW energy audit consists of the following steps:

1. Collect and analyze historic energy use. This must be carried out prior to the site visit. The area of conditioned space in the building is required for this analysis.
2. Site review of the building and its operating characteristics.
3. Identify potential modifications that will reduce the energy use and/or cost. This includes building systems that consume energy and water, as well as the building envelope, which is intended to separate the indoor environment from the outdoors.
4. Perform an engineering and economic analysis of the potential modifications.
5. Prepare a rank-ordered list of recommended modifications, including initial budget cost estimates or the modifications and the simple payback periods.
6. Identify, where possible, government, utility provider or other incentives applicable to the recommended modifications.
7. Prepare a report to document the analysis process, results and recommendations.
8. Assist in the completion of incentive applications, as necessary.

To see a sample report, click here.

Why Perform an Energy Audit?

Because it is the first step to saving you money! Before thinking about improving the energy efficiencies of your assets and reducing your operating costs an Energy Audit must be done. This is the starting point, and, necessary for qualifying for most incentives and accreditations. Here are a few more reasons retrofits make sense:

• It will reduce your impact on the environment
• There are incentives available to reduce your capital costs for the improvements
• By attaining accreditation, such as LEED EB© or the Boma BESt© standard, you will attract tenants looking to save money and be a ‘greener’ corporation
• It will increase the value of your property

Samples of Retrofit Incentives

The following are samples of retrofit incentives currently available. As these incentives are time sensitive and maybe changed by the sponsor, please check with the sponsor for more detailed information. A good resource for finding incentives in your area can also be found on the National Resources Canada (NRCan) website.

1. National Resources Canada - Retrofit Project Incentive for Buildings
2. Enbridge – Various Incentives
3. Ontario Power Authority – Various Incentives
4. Hydro One – Various Incentives

Become ‘greener’ by saving money, energy and the environment. Call CDW today for more information or to book your Energy Audit.

416-964-3246 (Toll Free) 1-866-964-3246