On average, commercial buildings waste up to 30% of their energy, making energy efficiency a priority for both cost savings and sustainability. Commercial energy audits and the energy-saving recommendations they provide can help Canadian businesses reduce this waste, lower operating expenses, and decrease their carbon footprint. In addition, these audits can help businesses qualify for provincial and federal energy rebate programs, which may offer financial incentives for energy efficiency improvements.
Our energy consulting team can support your path to improved energy efficiency by offering commercial energy assessments and customized energy-saving recommendations. These steps not only enhance your property’s value and reduce operational costs but also support Canada’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing toward net-zero targets.
What is a Commercial Energy Audit?
A commercial energy audit is a comprehensive assessment of a building’s energy use. It identifies inefficiencies and finds opportunities for cost savings through energy-saving upgrades and adjustments. During an audit, energy specialists examine how much energy a building consumes, where energy is being lost, and what changes can be made to improve overall efficiency. These audits are crucial for businesses, as they often lead to significant reductions in energy costs, support environmental goals, and help ensure compliance with local energy regulations.
In Canada, commercial energy audits are especially valuable due to the country’s distinct climate and energy needs. With long, cold winters in most regions and diverse weather patterns across the provinces, Canadian businesses face unique energy challenges. Heating costs can be substantial, particularly for large commercial buildings, and maintaining consistent indoor temperatures becomes a priority in these conditions.
Furthermore, Canada’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions has driven businesses to seek more sustainable energy practices, making energy audits a beneficial and often essential step for companies looking to improve their environmental footprint and achieve cost savings.
Benefits of Commercial Energy Audits
Commercial energy audits offer Canadian businesses numerous benefits, including financial, regulatory, and environmental advantages. Here’s a closer look at how these audits can be beneficial:
- Reduced Energy Costs and Improved Efficiency
One of the primary benefits of a commercial energy audit is the potential for substantial cost savings. By identifying inefficiencies in lighting, HVAC systems, insulation, and equipment, an audit provides actionable insights into how a business can reduce its energy usage. Upgrades or simple changes, such as retrofitting lighting systems, improving insulation, or optimizing heating and cooling, can cut energy costs significantly. This is especially beneficial in Canada, where extreme weather fluctuations often drive up energy expenses for heating and cooling.
- Compliance with Local and Federal Energy Regulations
An energy audit helps businesses align with Energy regulations by assessing current performance and recommending upgrades to meet or exceed required standards. This approach not only saves costs in the long term but also positions the business as a responsible industry player.
- Environmental Impact and Alignment with Canada’s Sustainability Goals
Canada is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainability goals as part of its climate action plans. Commercial buildings account for a significant portion of Canada’s overall energy consumption, meaning improvements in their energy efficiency can have a meaningful impact on reducing emissions. By conducting an energy audit and implementing recommended changes, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint, contribute to national and global environmental goals, and appeal to environmentally-conscious customers and stakeholders. This alignment with Canada’s sustainability goals also supports positive brand perception, as many consumers and partners increasingly prefer companies that prioritize environmental responsibility.
Commercial Energy Audit Program
FortisBC provides funding specifically for energy audits to help businesses of all sizes—from small companies to large commercial operations—identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
Eligible businesses can benefit from a free walk-through energy assessment performed by a certified FortisBC consultant. This assessment will help small and medium-sized commercial and industrial customers identify low- and no-cost energy conservation improvements they can make in their businesses and facilities.
The assessment pinpoints potential energy-saving upgrades and details on FortisBC rebates available to support these improvements.
After the walkthrough assessment, you’ll receive a report outlining potential energy efficiency upgrades and information about FortisBC rebates to help save on the cost of upgrading to high-efficiency equipment.
For owners of qualifying rental properties, the Rental Apartment Efficiency Program provides complimentary energy assessments to help uncover cost-effective ways to increase energy efficiency in apartment buildings.
If you’re interested in learning more about other discount programs, click here to visit all commercial energy rebates.
Need Assistance?
If you need help or have any questions, feel free to contact us. Our team is here to assist you with any inquiries or support you may need regarding FortisBC programs or energy efficiency improvements.
If you’re interested in exploring FortisBC programs designed specifically for homes, we have a detailed article below that covers everything you need to know. It includes information on available rebates, energy-saving tips, and how homeowners can take advantage of these programs to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and lower their environmental impact. Feel free to read the full article to learn more about how FortisBC can help you achieve a more energy-efficient home.
Apply for Commercial Energy Audit
To get started, complete and submit the energy assessment application. If your building qualifies, one of our authorized consultants will reach out to schedule the energy assessment.
On the day of the assessment, please ensure you’re available for the full day to provide access to your building or facility, as well as all relevant equipment.
Following the energy audit, our consultants will send you a detailed report that not only highlights potential savings but also helps you discover available discounts, offers practical energy-saving tips, and reviews the findings with you.
Home Energy Audit is the first step to start your retrofit grant
In conclusion, a commercial energy audit is an essential tool for businesses in Canada, helping improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainability goals.
FortisBC offers valuable support through funding, free assessments, and rebates for energy-saving upgrades. By taking advantage of these resources, businesses can make informed decisions that drive savings and efficiency.
Start optimizing your operations today! Now booking energy audits—contact us to schedule your assessment and start saving.
