As energy costs continue to rise, a building’s energy use can severely impact an owner’s bottom line. Reducing energy use can not only decrease operating costs, it can also extend the useful life of the building’s heating and cooling system, improve tenant retention, and lead to higher property valuations. The first step is an energy audit, and Mascia Development, led by two LEED-Accredited Professionals, is uniquely positioned to provide energy advisory services from an owner and investor’s perspective. Our Sustainability Audits can guide an owner through a thorough analysis of their property’s energy usage and, if necessary, recommend and oversee the implementation of improvements to reduce the property’s utility costs.

The objectives of an energy analysis or audit are to identify and develop modifications that will reduce the energy use and/or cost of operating a building. The results should be presented in a format that will provide the information needed by an owner/operator to decide if any, some, or all of the recommended modifications should be implemented. An energy analysis includes the following steps:

1. Collect and analyze historical energy use. 
2. Study the building and its operational characteristics. 
3. Identify potential modifications that will reduce the energy use and/or cost. 
4. Perform an engineering and economic analysis of potential modifications. 
5. Prepare a rank-ordered list of appropriate modifications. 
6. Prepare a report to document the analysis process and results.

There are three levels of Mascia Development’s Auditing Services, based on ASHRAE guidelines, that can be implemented based on the owner’s and/or property’s specific needs.

Walk-through Analysis

Assess a building's energy cost and efficiency by analyzing energy bills and conducting a brief on-site survey of the building. A Level I energy analysis will identify and provide a savings and cost analysis of low-cost/no-cost measures. It will also provide a listing of potential capital improvements that merit further consideration, and an initial judgment of potential costs and savings.

Energy Survey and Engineering Analysis

This includes a more detailed building survey and energy analysis. A breakdown of the energy use within the building is provided. A Level II energy analysis will identify and provide the savings and cost analysis of all practical measures that meet the owner's constraints and economic criteria, along with a discussion of any changes to operation and maintenance procedures. It may also provide a listing of potential capital-intensive improvements that require more thorough data collection and engineering analysis, and a judgment of potential costs and savings. This level of analysis will be adequate for most buildings and measures.

Detailed Analysis of Capital-Intensive Modifications

This level of engineering analysis focuses on potential capital-intensive projects identified during the Level II analysis and involves more detailed field data gathering as well as a more rigorous engineering analysis by our engineering consultants. It provides detailed project cost and savings calculations with a high level of confidence sufficient for major capital investment decisions.

Contact us today for more information on how a Sustainability Audit can reduce your operating costs and improve your property’s bottom line.