4. Building energy audit

Attempts towards optimizing energy use in buildings stems from building energy analysis which in itself have been discussed extensively in previous section (Figures 1–8). Now for the possible of energy improvements, savings and optimization in a building which has its toot in building energy audit as a process requires the adaptation of agreeable and validated reference climates and energy simulation procedures [13, 14]. Such procedures look out for priority of energy uses in buildings. Energy audit as tool is used to benchmark where and how energy is being used in buildings. This is done by intensifying opportunities and providing solutions towards energy savings and economic cost too. Principal to this solution is energy data management suitable or compactable with appropriate energy saving technologies. It may also be in the form of structural improvements and systems modernization towards conservation of energy. In the process of energy auditing, the unified Lider Calener tool becomes indispensable to the process of auditing since it processing of results outcome allows for alternative response priorities to be earmarked [11, 15]. In economic sense, this process will serve as a guideline to developers and energy managers in taking decisions towards necessary reforms that will lead to substantial savings and enhanced payback period. In construction economics, the idea of conducting energy audit so as to save substantially ion energy is gaining sufficient space in construction literature and amongst developers, since the tool presents them the opportunity of making decisions on savings on energy consumption pattern with respect to economic indices of payback terms of the property investment [4]. The energy audit process seeks to advance and canvass improvement in the extent to which an energy budget is used for the intended purpose and cultivate energy savings towards offsetting greenhouse gas emission. It is important that energy auditing on the thermal properties of building envelopes should as a matter of economic science be conducted to give a closer direction of energy use to bring about decision bothering on the reasonability of a proposed investment [3, 15].

In as much as thermal comfort is important for occupants and must be paramount in design considerations, investors are usually worried about the cost

Figure 8. Annual wind rose and humidity.

#### Economic Aspects of Building Energy Audit DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85490

In all, the use of energy simulation software to do analysis of building energy analysis is econometrically efficient in reporting the above listed evaluation outcome supports designers in actualizing building envelope properties and building

Attempts towards optimizing energy use in buildings stems from building energy analysis which in itself have been discussed extensively in previous section (Figures 1–8). Now for the possible of energy improvements, savings and optimization in a building which has its toot in building energy audit as a process requires the adaptation of agreeable and validated reference climates and energy simulation procedures [13, 14]. Such procedures look out for priority of energy uses in buildings. Energy audit as tool is used to benchmark where and how energy is being used in buildings. This is done by intensifying opportunities and providing solutions towards energy savings and economic cost too. Principal to this solution is energy data management suitable or compactable with appropriate energy saving technologies. It may also be in the form of structural improvements and systems modernization towards conservation of energy. In the process of energy auditing, the unified Lider Calener tool becomes indispensable to the process of auditing since it processing of results outcome allows for alternative response priorities to be earmarked [11, 15]. In economic sense, this process will serve as a guideline to developers and energy managers in taking decisions towards necessary reforms that will lead to substantial savings and enhanced payback period. In construction economics, the idea of conducting energy audit so as to save substantially ion energy is gaining sufficient space in construction literature and amongst developers, since the tool presents them the opportunity of making decisions on savings on energy consumption pattern with respect to economic indices of payback terms of the property investment [4]. The energy audit process seeks to advance and canvass improvement in the extent to which an energy budget is used for the intended purpose and cultivate energy savings towards offsetting greenhouse gas emission. It is important that energy auditing on the thermal properties of building envelopes should as a matter of economic science be conducted to give a closer direction of energy use to bring about decision bothering on the reasonability of a proposed

In as much as thermal comfort is important for occupants and must be paramount in design considerations, investors are usually worried about the cost

energy requirements (Figures 6 and 7).

4. Building energy audit

Zero and Net Zero Energy

investment [3, 15].

Figure 8.

136

Annual wind rose and humidity.

implication of such design been incorporate to meeting occupants satisfaction, yet must be comparatively admissible to be economically worthy to invest in. In the auditing process, thermal properties within the building envelope are assessed to ascertain the losses and gains that occur using the unified Lider Calener tool towards selecting the building element that will result to improved energy savings [16]. The decision to invest as an economic yardstick is to some extent dependent on the energy audit outcome which as a matter of necessity must take into cognizance the auditing method by considering time, speed, technical know-how, cost, sensitivity, accuracy, reproductively and ease of use. It is well articulated in building energy literature that buildings consume nearly one-third of the energy used in the United States [17]. This is not different if not more in most European nations. The operational cost of most buildings consequently absorbs at least 30% of operating cost. With this hindsight in the mind of developers, a constructability balance between economic gain and occupants comfort hangs on a balance that requires an economic assessment of cost-benefit appraisal by energy auditing. Particularly, building energy audit tends to reduce greenhouse gas emission and air pollution if properly done. It also addresses the air quality, lighting quality and occupants' satisfaction. It significantly lower electrical, natural gas, steam, water and sewer cost on the long run [13, 15]. Therefore, it becomes absolutely imperative that a knowledge bank of energy footprint of cities is established so as to identify the gaps of opportunities to savings in energy use and costs. The footprint repository will provide the necessary guidance for investors to making cost-benefit decisions, for the now and in the near future on energy saving alternatives and strategies [11, 13, 16].
