Better Understand the Energy Efficiency Audit
Did you know that up to 50% of a commercial building’s energy consumption could be avoided with a well-structured audit?
To better understand how an energy efficiency audit works, and its concrete impact on operational costs, we met with Dzmitry, Director of Energy Efficiency at BAULNE.
This article presents a field-based approach supported by real examples and reference tools commonly used in Québec, such as Energy Star Portfolio Manager and the 5R method (formerly the 3R method).
Reading Guide :
- What is an energy efficiency audit
- The role of artificial intelligence
- Energy efficiency vs. energy optimization
- How to measure energy performance
- The 5R method
- Real-world example of energy savings
- Subsidies and financing
- Conclusion
What is an energy efficiency audit?
An energy efficiency audit is based on a detailed analysis of a building’s energy behavior according to its purpose and usage.
“A structured approach makes it possible to break down and analyze energy consumption by system: such as ventilation, heating, air conditioning and domestic hot water production, and then compare the findings with high-performance building benchmarks. This process reveals where performance gaps exist,” explains Dzmitry.
Initial benchmarking is a bit like meeting with a nutritionist for a diagnosis: “your blood sugar level is high!”
From there, a building-specific energy profile, taking into account equipment performance, the building envelope and daily operations, helps identify which systems are inefficient.
Continuing with the medical comparison, the auditor must perform precise measurements and calculations to determine the root cause of the “symptoms”:
Is it the pancreas, liver, thyroid, adrenal glands, or kidneys causing the rise in blood sugar?
Similarly, studies, professional databases, and energy modeling help identify the sources of inefficiency, measure their impact, and recommend corrective actions such as:
- Modernizing outdated equipment
- Upgrading control systems
- Adjusting control strategies and operating schedules
These steps aim to align the building’s performance with market-leading practices.
The role of artificial intelligence (AI)
AI is transforming how buildings are analyzed, especially by simplifying data collection and structuring.
“Artificial intelligence helps gather and clean data, but the final decision always comes back to the human expert,” adds Dzmitry.
Every building is unique, and human judgment remains essential to contextualize data, interpret anomalies, and recommend realistic, field-validated solutions.
Energy efficiency vs. energy optimization
Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent two distinct steps.
“Efficiency refers to the ability to deliver a service—like heating or cooling—with minimal resources. Optimization is the process used to achieve a higher level of efficiency,” explains Dzmitry.
In other words:
- Efficiency = The result
- Optimization = The method to get there
To go further, consult our article on building recommissioning, a complementary approach to energy audits (please note that the article is available in French only).
How to measure energy performance
In Canada, the main reference is the Energy Star Portfolio Manager (SPM), which is mandatory for several types of commercial buildings.
“This tool compares energy consumption per square meter with that of similar buildings in terms of size and purpose,” says Dzmitry.
Experts typically use between 5 and 7 key performance indicators to build an accurate picture of performance, such as:
- Energy used per m²
- Annual energy cost
- Energy intensity
- Load profile
- Measured thermal losses
These indicators help quantify performance gaps and help identify the building’s potential for energy optimization.
The 5R method
Formerly based on the 3R framework, the approach has been enhanced to reflect today’s energy context in Québec. The 5R method—Reduce, Recover, Replace, Refuse, and Repair—proposes a simple yet strategic path to improving a building’s energy efficiency without compromising operational performance.
This evolution reflects new technologies, environmental requirements, and the increasing need to optimize existing buildings before replacing equipment.
| Principle | Description | Practical Example |
| Reduce | Lower energy needs at the source through usage adjustments and better schedule management. | Programming ventilation, lighting, and heating based on actual occupancy. |
| Recover | Capture lost energy and reuse it elsewhere in the building. | Installing a heat recovery system on exhaust air or process hot water loops. |
| Replace | Upgrade energy-intensive equipment using high-performance, less polluting technologies. | Switching from oil heating to a high-efficiency heat pump with smart controls. |
| Refuse | Avoid inefficient practices or technologies that increase energy consumption or maintenance costs. | Refusing non-certified Energy Star equipment or oversized systems. |
| Repair | Maintain, recalibrate, or refurbish existing equipment to extend its useful lifespan. | Repairing faulty valves or sensors to restore the ventilation system’s energy balance. |
This method serves as the operational foundation for any energy audit.
By following the 5R method, building managers gain a structured, long-term view of their building’s performance while reducing operating costs and environmental impact.
It also supports equipment reliability and investment profitability—two priorities at the core of BAULNE’s mission.
A concrete example: optimizing an office building
A typical case encountered by BAULNE’s teams:
“We analyzed an office building where mechanical systems ran 24/7. Simply adjusting ventilation and cooling schedules to match real occupancy—7 a.m. to 5 p.m., 5 days a week instead of 7 days—resulted in nearly 20% energy savings,” says Dzmitry.
This type of intervention often requires no major equipment replacement—simply the synchronization of mechanical and control systems with the building’s actual needs.
Subsidies and financing
In Québec, several programs support energy efficiency initiatives, including those from Hydro-Québec, Énergir, and Transition énergétique Québec (TEQ).
Energy audits or optimization projects can be subsidized up to 100%, depending on the building’s size, energy consumption, and savings potential.
The typical process:
- Submission of the audit plan and specifications
- Approval of financial support
- Detailed analysis of the energy-saving potential
- Submission of the study report with 50% to 75% of fees reimbursed through subsidies
- Implementation of the measures that best align with the client’s needs, with reimbursement of up to 100% of the study
During the implementation phase, the additional costs related to efficiency – compared to a simple “one-for-one” replacement – is also eligible for subsidies of up to 80%, making these projects highly attractive for our clients.
Consult our dedicated page to learn more about energy-efficiency subsidies.
BAULNE supports its clients at every stage: analysis, planning, implementation, and post-subsidy follow-up.
Conclusion: a strategic lever for building managers
An energy efficiency audit is more than a technical exercise—it is a strategic tool that helps building managers:
- Reduce their operating costs
- Prioritize high-return investments
- Improve the comfort and reliability of their facilities
- Meet new environmental requirements
“The best time to act is when it’s time to invest in asset modernization. The additional cost related to efficiency is almost always profitable,” concludes Dzmitry.
Schedule a visit from a BAULNE expert today.
About BAULNE
BAULNE – Caring for people and buildings
For more than 23 years, BAULNE has supported managers and owners of commercial and industrial buildings in their HVAC maintenance, design-build, and energy optimization projects.