ATLANTA - Procedures to assess a building's energy use and its energy savings potential are contained in a new publication from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Auditsprovides steps to guide analysts and owners in conducting audits and a uniform method for reporting basic information, such as building, system, and energy use characteristics.

"Energy audits should be performed to understand how energy is being used in buildings and where there are opportunities for energy and cost savings," said Richard Pearson, a principal contributor and member of ASHRAE Technical Committee 7.6, Systems Energy Utilization, which oversaw the publication. "Many buildings waste significant amounts of energy, and the benefits of doing an energy audit can be substantial energy cost savings."

The book contains some 25 forms illustrating the content and arrangement of an effective energy analysis report. The forms also are included on an accompanying CD, allowing for customizing and printing.

The book outlines the four steps of the energy auditing process: a preliminary energy use analysis; a walk-through analysis; an energy survey and analysis; and a detailed analysis of capital-intensive modifications.

The book is the result of two ASHRAE research projects.

The cost of Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits is $58 ($39, ASHRAE members), plus shipping and handling. To order, contact ASHRAE Customer Service at 800-527-4723 (United States and Canada) or 404-636-8400 (worldwide); fax 404-321-5478; by mail at 1791 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30329; or visit the ASHRAE Bookstore at www.ashrae.org.

Publication date: 07/05/2004