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DIY Business Energy Audit

Find out what's contributing to your bill and the steps you can take to reduce your energy costs.

This form will take about 15 - 20 minutes to complete. 

You can save your progress along the way and pick up where you left off at a later date. We recommend walking around your business premises as you go to help answer questions along the way. You can access this tool on your mobile, tablet, laptop or desktop device.

Let's begin

1. Let's begin

Tell us a little bit about your business and energy needs
This helps us to better understand how we can help you today and further down the track as new tools, services and information become available.

There's 8 areas that cover the most common appliances and equipment used across small businesses
It's simple Yes/No/Unsure answers to common energy efficient practices. You only need to answer questions related to the appliances or equipment you use.

At the end we'll provide you a report of recommended energy saving tips
If you've answered 'No' or 'Unsure' to any questions. We'll also email you a copy of your results so you can start putting in place changes that will help you save.

Your details

Please provide your first and last name here
We'll send your energy audit results and next steps to this inbox.
Please add either a 10 digit mobile number starting with 04, or a landline including the area code e.g. 08

Business details

Sharing your industry details - helps us to understand if businesses in the same industry have similar energy needs or issues. This makes it easier for us to improve information we provide you; and inform new products and services down the track.
Do you lease or own your business property?
How many employees work in the business? *
Which appliances do you use in your business? (choose all that apply)
Which equipment & materials do you use across the business? (choose all that apply)

Energy needs

2. Energy needs

What matters most to your business today? (choose all the apply)
What matters most to your business in the future? (choose all that apply)

Energy types consumed

Which energy sources power your business? (choose all that apply)
Are any of the following renewable energy systems installed at your business premises? (choose all that apply)
What % does electricity contribute to your overall energy costs? If you're unsure, compare your energy bills (e.g. electricity and gas) to calculate an estimate.

Heating & cooling

heating-cooling.png 3. Heating, ventilation & cooling (HVAC)

Every 1°C higher in winter and lower in summer may increase the running costs of your heating or cooling appliance by up to 10%

Daily good behaviours

Do facilities managers or cleaning staff have a night-time air-conditioning switch-off process to follow?
In summer, do you shade windows to keep the building cool?
Do you make the most of natural cool breezes?
Do you use the economy cycle (if available) on your air-conditioning unit?

Maintenance & upgrades

Do you maintain your heating and cooling appliances to ensure they operate efficiently?
Are your heating or cooling appliances new and/or carefully selected for your building/situation?
Have you installed variable speed drives (VSD)? The basic function of a variable speed drive (VSD) is to control the flow of energy from the mains to the appliance. A VSD will adjust the speed of the motors to match the load required and save energy.

Temperature

Do you only heat or cool areas that are being used?
Is the temperature on your heating or cooling appliance correctly set in summer and winter? In summer, set the temperature to between 24 - 27 °C and 18 - 21 °C in winter.
Are thermostats placed in appropriate locations? The thermostat detects any temperature changes to the enclosed area and performs actions to maintain the selected temperature of the heating or cooling device. If they're located near draughts, direct sunlight, areas of low air movement, external walls or heat sources - then they may interfere with the temperature reading of the area being heated or cooled.
Are ceiling or portable fans used to complement heating or cooling appliances?

Time

Are ventilation fans turned off when bathrooms are not in use?
Does your heating or cooling appliance have a thermostat or the ability to set a temperature?
Have timers been connected to heating or cooling appliances?

Ventilation & insulation

Are air-conditioned spaces effectively zoned to enable appropriate temperature control?
Are windows or doors closed and sealed in air-conditioned spaces?
Are the outside units of heating and cooling appliances shaded?
Are your ducts insulated?
Is the area in front of the heating or cooling appliance clear?

Water heating

hot-water.png 4. Water heating

You could reduce the amount of hot water being used by installing water saving taps, low-flow shower heads, flow restrictors and timers

Daily good behaviours

Are hot water saving practices encouraged? This includes asking staff to to use cold water whenever possible, take shorter showers on site and setting the hot water temperature to between 39°C and 41°C.

Maintenance & upgrades

Do you maintain your water heating appliance and fittings?
Have you investigated energy efficient technologies to heat the water?
Have energy saving devices been fitted to save hot water?
Is your water heater sized appropriately?
If you have a commercial or industrial boiler, is it energy efficient?

Temperature

Is your water heater set to the correct temperature?

Ventilation & insulation

Are external water heater pipes insulated?

Lighting

lighting.png 5. Lighting

You could lower your lighting costs by up to 75% by switching to LED lightbulbs. They're more energy efficient and produce less heat

Daily good behaviours

Is natural light used during the day to make the most of the natural light?
Is appropriate signage installed to remind staff to turn lights off when no longer required?
Do facility managers or cleaners have a night time lighting switch off process to follow?
If you have a freezer or cool room, are lights switched off overnight or when not in use?

Maintenance & upgrades

Are work areas appropriately lit?
Is task lighting used where appropriate?
Have fluorescent lamps been replaced by more energy efficient options?
Have halogen, standard lamps or downlights been replaced with more energy efficient lamps like LEDs? This includes other lighting including emergency and other signage.
Have ballasts used in fluorescent lighting been upgraded to more energy efficient options?
Have low and high bay lights been upgraded to more energy efficient ones? A bay light illuminates a large area with a high ceiling. Examples include warehouses, commercial buildings, retail locations, and gymnasiums. There are two main categories; high and low bay light fixtures. Fluorescents, Metal Halides or HPS (High Pressure Sodium) fittings all have drawbacks such as long warm-up times, UV and infrared radiation and energy inefficiency.
Is your lighting zoned?
Are lamps and fittings cleaned and maintained regularly?
Have you looked at power factor correction as a way to reduce your lighting energy use?

Time

Are lights in unused areas turned off?
Have you put controls on external lighting to limit the amount of time they are on?

Kitchen

fridge.png 6. Refrigeration, cooking & kitchen appliances

Place fridges and freezers in cool, well ventilated locations, out of direct sunlight, to reduce energy use

Daily good behaviours

Are fridges and freezers turned off when not needed?
Is appropriate signage installed to remind staff to turn appliances off when not required?
Do facility managers or cleaners have a night time switch off process to follow?
Are fridges kept full?
Are energy efficient kitchen practices encouraged and followed? Energy efficient practices include: - only opening fridge, freezer and oven doors for the minimum time required - using smaller appliances. For example, instead of using a stove top you may be able to use a microwave. - limiting preheating times - cooking in large batches - using equipment to their fullest capacity - cooking at the lowest temperature possible for the task - using pot lids to keep heat in - only boiling the amount of water needed for the job - defrosting food overnight.
Do you run your dishwasher with a full load and at the lowest temperature?

Maintenance & upgrades

When buying a new appliance or machine, will you choose a model that is energy efficient and appropriately sized? Do you consider energy efficiency when buying or upgrading a fridge, freezer, oven, dishwasher or other kitchen or cooking appliances.
Have older, smaller appliances been replaced with energy efficient ones?
Are fridges and freezers serviced and maintained?
Do the door seals of ovens, fridges, freezers and cold rooms seal properly?
Is other cooking equipment and surfaces kept clean and maintained?
Could natural refrigerants can be used for your refrigeration equipment?
Have you investigated installing Variable Speed Drives (VSD) for cooking equipment? This could include commercial mixers and refrigeration or support equipment like exhaust fans that use motors?

Temperature

Is your fridge temperature set between 3°C and 5°C?
Is your freezer temperature set between -15°C and -18°C?

Time

Are timers installed on equipment used for set time periods?
Can you set your appliances to run during the day?

Ventilation & insulation

Are fridges and freezers located in cool, well ventilated areas and out of direct sunlight?
Is the cooking equipment insulated?
Are food display cases covered overnight?

Factory

factory-equipment.png 7. Factory & warehouse equipment

High-efficiency motors can cost up to 40% more than older, standard-efficiency motors, but the payback period can be less than 2 years from energy saved

Daily good behaviours

Is equipment, such as pumps, fans or compressors, turned off when not in use? Leaving equipment on when not needed wastes energy. Do staff turn them off when no longer in use or are existing controls programmed to automatically turn equipment off when not required or after a set time of inactivity.
Where fans are used, are they set the lowest speed required?
Are energy efficient cleaning methods used?

Maintenance & upgrades

Are motors, fans, pumps and compressors serviced and maintained?
Have you investigated the most energy efficient equipment to replace existing equipment?
Are motors, pumps and fans correctly sized?
Have variable speed drives (VSD) been installed to match motor demand for equipment such as pumps, fans, precision tools? The basic function of a variable speed drive (VSD) is to control the flow of energy from the mains to the appliance. A VSD will adjust the speed of the motors to match the load required and save energy.
Has upgrading or replacing existing motors with more efficient motors been investigated?
Has power factor correction been considered on appropriate equipment and appliances?
Is the tension on belt drives examined regularly and adjusted if needed?
Have the electric motor belt drive types been reviewed to ensure the most energy efficient and suitable option is being used for the job?
Have other ways to optimise motors been investigated and implemented?

Temperature

Where an air compressor is used, is the lowest possible air pressure used and is distance between compressor and outlet short?
Are air compressors kept in cool environments?

Ventilation & insulation

Is equipment that will be adversely affected by heat gains or losses, such as suction lines, insulated?

Technology

technology.png 8. Computers, printers and IT equipment

Did you know screen savers don't save energy? Ask the staff to switch off their computers and monitors when not in use.

Daily good behaviours

Are computers, monitors and other equipment turned off when not in use? For example overnight or on weekends or outside business hours.
Is printing only used when needed?
Are chargers for phones, tablets and other personal devices disconnected once charged?

Maintenance & upgrades

Is IT and other equipment regularly serviced and maintained?
When new IT equipment is purchased, is energy efficiency considered? When buying a new piece of equipment - do you try to buy the most energy efficient model that will get the job done.
Are laptops used instead of desktops?
Are the number of printers and photocopiers matched to occupancy?

Time

Does all IT equipment have energy savings features enabled?
Is the use of standby power minimised by turning equipment off at the power point?

Ventilation & insulation

Are photocopiers, printers and multi-function devices located in a well-ventilated area?

Laundry

laundry.png 9. Laundry appliances

Avoid the dryer if possible. Regular use can account for up to 10% of your energy use

Daily good behaviours

Do you usually run your washing machine with a full load?
Do you usually run your washing machine at the lowest temperature?
Can you dry any washed fabrics naturally? Where possible use a clothesline or drying rack for items like clothes, towels, sheets or blankets.

Maintenance & upgrades

Do you use the energy and water rating labels to compare running costs when purchasing new laundry appliances?

Building

building-materials.png 10. Building materials

Light coloured roofs can reduce the amount of energy needed to cool a building

Daily good behaviours

Are windows kept shaded in summer to keep the site cool?
Are windows kept unshaded in winter so the sun can heat the site?

Maintenance & upgrades

Have you incorporated energy efficiency design principles for renovations or new builds?

Temperature

Do you have a building management system?

Time

Do external doors automatically close?

Ventilation & insulation

Does the building have insulation?
Have you sealed up gaps around doors or windows?
Are other areas draught proofed?
Is the building’s roof a light colour and does it have adequate ventilation?

Tips to help make the most of this energy audit

Every business is unique

This audit asks questions in 8 key energy use areas to help your business identify energy-saving opportunities. And begin your energy efficiency journey.

Include key staff in the audit

They can help identify areas of energy waste and savings opportunities.

Don't forget to check outside of hours

To identify any equipment left on during these times (including overnight and weekends) or at times where energy use may differ throughout the day.
1 We recognise the Government of South Australia's Energy Advisory Service's generosity in permitting Horizon Power to utilise their DIY Business Energy Audit publication as a foundation for our tool. * Visit Energy Consumers Australia (2023) SME Energy Consumer Information Research for more information.

Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.