The Difference between an Energy Audit and a Utility Bill Audit

Managing your energy consumption is critical for improving your bottom line. The only way to know your energy consumption is by scrutinizing your utility bill. Checking your utility bills for errors can help you reduce your expenses. At the same time, a utility bill audit will also point out the areas where you can concentrate on minimizing power and utility consumption. Hence, many people confuse the utility bill audit and energy audit. They assume that both these concepts are the same, whereas they are as different as chalk and cheese. This discussion attempts to bring out the difference between these two audits and the role that energy audit firms play in conserving your energy and thereby, helping you to improve your bottom line. 

Energy audits – Physical verifications 

Energy audit consultants usually conduct a physical inspection of the company to determine your energy requirements and judge your consumption. They have to walk through your facility to understand your requirements and needs. It will help them to identify spots where there are chances of energy leakages. Plugging these holes can help in reducing your energy consumption, thereby resulting in a reduction in the utility bills. 

Energy audits – Fine the right energy procurement services 

Energy audit firms help you find the appropriate energy procurement services in New York. By conducting a physical inspection of your office or facility, the energy audit consultants have a fair idea about your requirements and consumption levels. It helps them identify the perfect energy procurement services for your facility. 

Energy audits – different levels 

Usually, the US industry stipulates three different levels of energy audits depending on the clients and the site potential. All energy audit firms cater to these specific requirements. 

• Estimate and establish a baseline for the consumption of energy
• Depending on your usage and requirement, measure the energy levels required 
• Compare with the benchmark facilities and variables 
• Look out for options to reduce energy consumption and identify energy cost reduction opportunities

Utility Bill Audits 

The utility bill audit is different from the energy audit in the sense that it never involves a walk through your company to determine ways to reduce your utility consumption. It restricts to documents such as utility bills and invoices. The utility audit verifies the genuineness and accuracy of the utility invoices and looks for factors like overcharging, clerical errors, fixation in a wrong slab, and similar other factors. 

A good utility bill auditor has the following responsibilities.

• Liaison with your utility provider to collect the paperwork and determine its accuracy. 
• Compile a list of billing errors that can help you save money. 
• Help you to apply to the utility service provider to get the refund 
• Receive payment for their services only after you receive the payment 

Thus, you see, there is a vast difference between the two. However, both you can combine both these audits together and save money. Utility bills can go beyond energy savings. They can also help you get refunds for the amount you have already paid. Hence, both utility bill audit and energy audit are critical to determine your energy consumption and help you to improve your bottom line.