If you’re running a commercial building in Alberta and your energy bills keep climbing, it might be time to dig deeper. Not into your pockets—but into your building’s energy use.
That’s where ASHRAE Level 2 and 3 energy audits come in. These professional assessments go beyond surface-level energy checks and uncover hidden inefficiencies, helping you cut costs, optimize operations, and make smarter upgrade decisions.
Let’s walk through what these audits are, how they work, and why they’re a powerful tool—especially before investing in solar or major retrofits.
🔍 What Is an ASHRAE Energy Audit?
ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) has developed a three-tiered framework for commercial energy audits:
- Level 1: Walk-through analysis
- Level 2: Energy survey and engineering analysis
- Level 3: Detailed investment-grade audit
Level 1 is basic. Level 2 and 3 are where the real insights (and savings) are found.
⚙️ ASHRAE Level 2: The Sweet Spot for Most Businesses
A Level 2 Audit includes:
- A breakdown of energy usage by system (lighting, HVAC, envelope, etc.)
- Utility bill analysis, often over multiple years
- Hourly load profile evaluation
- Identification of low-cost and capital-intensive savings opportunities
- Rough cost-benefit analysis and ROI estimates for each improvement
It’s a balanced approach—detailed enough to be actionable, without getting overly technical or costly.
✅ Ideal for: Office buildings, schools, warehouses, retail, or industrial facilities with bills over ~$50K/year.
🔬 ASHRAE Level 3: Deep Dive, High Precision
A Level 3 Audit is essentially an investment-grade engineering study. It’s often used to:
- Secure financing for major retrofits
- Justify capital improvements to stakeholders
- Support performance-based energy contracts
It includes:
- Data logging and sub-metering
- Simulation modeling
- Precise load measurement
- Verified financial payback analysis for each proposed upgrade
✅ Ideal for: Large or complex buildings, or when you’re preparing for high-value energy upgrades or performance contracting.
📈 Why These Audits Matter in Alberta
Alberta’s deregulated energy market and variable delivery rates mean businesses often overpay without realizing it. An ASHRAE audit can reveal:
- Which systems are causing peak demand spikes
- Where insulation or building envelope issues are costing you
- Whether your lighting, controls, or HVAC systems are draining energy
- The smartest order to tackle improvements for the highest ROI
And if you’re considering solar, battery storage, or power factor correction? A Level 2 or 3 audit ensures you’re not installing clean energy on top of an inefficient system.
🛠️ Energy Projects These Audits Often Lead To:
- LED lighting retrofits
- HVAC upgrades or smart control integration
- Building automation systems
- Insulation and envelope improvements
- Solar + storage sizing based on real load data
- Peak shaving strategies and rate class optimization
📉 TL;DR
- ASHRAE Level 2 & 3 audits give commercial buildings a detailed roadmap to reduce energy use and save money
- Level 2 = solid detail, smart recommendations
- Level 3 = investment-grade precision, perfect for capital-intensive projects
- These audits help prioritize upgrades, validate savings, and make energy efficiency bankable
👋 Want to Know Where Your Building Is Wasting Energy?
We have certified energy auditors to deliver ASHRAE-compliant Level 2 and 3 audits across Alberta. This allows you to qualify for the Emissions reductions Alberta SEMI program to see big rebates
📩 Email us [email protected] schedule a consultation and get your building on the path to performance and savings.