Unlocking energy savings: the value of energy audits

Efficient energy management helps businesses cut costs and boost performance. An energy audit — a structured review of energy use — identifies quick-win opportunities for savings and productivity gains. 

Read on to learn more about the energy audit process and the potential benefits for your business. 

How the energy audit process works 

An energy audit is a comprehensive review of an organisation’s historical and current energy use to identify and quantify areas where energy is wasted and opportunities for improvements. Best conducted by an accredited energy auditor, it establishes a baseline for improvements and targets cost-effective efficiency gains.  

The energy audit process typically involves four key stages: 

1. Information gathering 

The first step involves compiling energy-related data — invoices, meter readings, and total site energy consumption. This stage can be challenging, especially for businesses with complex operations or less mature energy management systems. Thorough data collection is critical to setting a strong foundation for the audit and getting the best results. 

2. Site inspection 

An auditor will conduct a physical inspection of the facility to observe how energy is used under normal operating conditions, identifying inefficiencies and potential improvement areas. 

3. Analysis and reporting 

Following the site inspection, auditors undertake detailed calculations and analysis to produce three key outputs, in line with the New Zealand energy audit standard: 

• Summary report — Outlines energy consumption, associated costs, and site emissions based on historical data. 
• End-use breakdown — Disaggregates energy use by major loads or end-users, offering clear visibility into where energy is consumed on site. 
• Energy management opportunities — Identifies actionable initiatives for energy savings, including estimates of potential savings, costs, and payback periods. 

4. Recommendations 

Finally, the audit concludes with clear, actionable recommendations. Good audits focus on practical measures that businesses can realistically implement. 

Beyond immediate savings, an energy audit also establishes a clear baseline for future improvements, offering businesses a structured foundation for long-term energy management. Working collaboratively with auditors helps ensure that efficiency gains are not only identified but sustained over time. 

How to maximise the value of your energy audit 

To get the best results from an energy audit, businesses should: 

• Assist with data collection — Providing accurate and complete energy data early helps auditors create a more precise end-use profile, leading to better identification of savings opportunities. 
• Collaborate and share ideas — Engaging your team is crucial. Employees often have firsthand knowledge of energy inefficiencies or improvement ideas that can enhance the audit findings.

Energy-saving opportunities for businesses 

Some of the most common energy-saving opportunities uncovered by energy audits include: 

• Compressed air systems — Widely used across manufacturing for controls and valve operations, compressed air systems often suffer from leaks. Implementing a leak detection and repair programme can often save 5–10% of compressed air energy use. 
• Refrigeration systems — Refrigeration is another major energy consumer where efficiency gains are often readily achievable. 
• Space conditioning — Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are frequent contributors to high energy bills, and improvements in their management can deliver substantial savings.