Building Energy Efficiency Audit and Benchmark Checklist [FREE PDF]

Building energy efficiency audits are essential for organizations reporting under the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard and ISO 14064, as Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from building operations must be accurately measured and disclosed. The EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and EU Energy Efficiency Directive require structured benchmarking to identify energy reduction opportunities and validate performance claims. This checklist guides Energy Managers through a systematic evaluation of building s

  • Industry: All Industries
  • Frequency: Annually
  • Estimated Time: 60-90 minutes
  • Role: Energy Manager
  • Total Items: 36
  • Compliance: GHG Protocol Corporate Standard Scope 1 & 2 Guidance, ISO 14064-1:2018 Clause 5.2 Energy-Related Emissions, EPA 40 CFR Part 98 Subpart C General Stationary Combustion, Science Based Targets SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard v1.0, EU Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU Article 8

Energy Metering and Data Collection

Verify that energy metering infrastructure is in place and that consumption data is complete, accurate, and auditable.

  • Are electricity meters installed and calibrated at all main entry points to the building?
  • Is natural gas consumption metered separately from other fuel sources at the building level?
  • Is a full 12-month consecutive dataset of energy consumption available for this reporting period?
  • Are sub-meters installed for major energy-consuming systems (HVAC, lighting, IT)?
  • Is energy consumption data stored in a digital energy management system (EMS)?

Scope 1 and Scope 2 Emissions Calculation

Confirm that building-level GHG emissions are correctly calculated using approved emission factors and methodologies.

  • Are current-year grid electricity emission factors sourced from an approved national or regional authority?
  • Is the market-based Scope 2 calculation methodology applied where renewable energy contracts or RECs are in place?
  • Are all Scope 1 combustion emission factors derived from EPA AP-42 or IPCC 2006 Guidelines?
  • Has an uncertainty analysis been performed on the emissions calculation?
  • Is the total building energy-related CO2e figure documented and approved by a senior responsible officer?

Energy Performance Benchmarking

Assess the building's energy use intensity against sector benchmarks and prior-year performance to identify efficiency gaps.

  • Has the building's Energy Use Intensity (EUI) been calculated in kBtu per square foot per year?
  • Is the building's EUI benchmarked against the ENERGY STAR national median for its building type?
  • What is the building's current ENERGY STAR score (1–100)?
  • Has year-over-year EUI trend been compared against a validated baseline year?
  • Are occupancy and operational hours data used to normalize energy consumption figures?

HVAC System Efficiency

Inspect heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for operational efficiency, refrigerant management, and maintenance compliance.

  • Have all HVAC units been serviced within the last 12 months per manufacturer specifications?
  • Are refrigerant top-up events logged and reported as Scope 1 fugitive emissions?
  • Is the HVAC system controlled by a building automation system (BAS) with scheduling capability?
  • What is the average indoor setpoint temperature maintained during occupied hours (°F)?
  • Are economizer or free-cooling modes operational and verified during the audit?

Lighting and Building Envelope

Evaluate lighting efficiency, controls, and building envelope integrity to identify heat loss and lighting energy reduction opportunities.

  • Has the facility transitioned to LED lighting in all primary occupied areas?
  • Are occupancy sensors or daylight harvesting controls installed in regularly unoccupied zones?
  • Has a thermal imaging or blower door test been conducted to identify envelope air leakage within the last 3 years?
  • Are windows double-glazed or fitted with low-emissivity coatings in climate zones requiring heating or cooling?
  • Is roof insulation rated to meet or exceed current local building energy code requirements?

On-Site Renewable Energy Assets

Verify the status, output, and accounting treatment of any on-site renewable energy generation assets.

  • Does the building have any on-site renewable energy generation assets (solar PV, wind, geothermal)?
  • Is the annual kWh output of on-site renewables metered and reconciled against consumption data?
  • Are Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) generated from on-site assets tracked and retired in a certified registry?
  • Is there a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or green tariff in place for off-site renewable electricity supply?
  • Has the percentage of total electricity from renewable sources been calculated and documented for this reporting year?

Reporting, Targets, and Improvement Planning

Confirm that audit findings are translated into documented improvement actions and disclosed through appropriate reporting frameworks.

  • Has the facility set a documented energy reduction target aligned with a science-based decarbonization pathway?
  • Are energy efficiency audit findings reported to senior management or the board at least annually?
  • Is building energy performance included in the organization's annual sustainability or ESG report?
  • Has a prioritized list of capital improvement projects been created based on this audit's findings?
  • Are energy audit records and supporting documentation retained for a minimum of 5 years?
  • Additional auditor notes or observations from this building energy efficiency audit?

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Why Use This Building Energy Efficiency Audit and Benchmark Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This building energy efficiency audit and benchmark checklist [free pdf] helps all industries teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for energy manager professionals, this checklist covers 36 critical inspection points across 7 sections. Recommended frequency: annually.

Ensures compliance with GHG Protocol Corporate Standard Scope 1 & 2 Guidance, ISO 14064-1:2018 Clause 5.2 Energy-Related Emissions, EPA 40 CFR Part 98 Subpart C General Stationary Combustion, Science Based Targets SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard v1.0, EU Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU Article 8. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Building Energy Efficiency Audit and Benchmark Checklist [FREE PDF] cover?

This checklist covers 36 inspection items across 7 sections: Energy Metering and Data Collection, Scope 1 and Scope 2 Emissions Calculation, Energy Performance Benchmarking, HVAC System Efficiency, Lighting and Building Envelope, On-Site Renewable Energy Assets, Reporting, Targets, and Improvement Planning. It is designed for all industries operations and compliance.

How often should this checklist be completed?

This checklist should be completed annually. Each completion takes approximately 60-90 minutes.

Who should use this Building Energy Efficiency Audit and Benchmark Checklist [FREE PDF]?

This checklist is designed for Energy Manager professionals in the all industries industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.

Can I download this checklist as a PDF?

Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.

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