An energy auditor uses their expertise in construction, electronics, and energy conservation to identify ways a business or home can improve their energy consumption. They investigate ways a building may be using more energy than necessary and craft detailed reports on opportunities for improvement. This can save businesses and people a lot of money. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that individuals can save 5%-30% off their energy bill by making the upgrades recommended from an energy audit.
Watch a video to learn what an energy auditor does.
How to Become an Energy Auditor
Employers would like to see some formal training along with experience. Certifications, formal education, and job experience in construction and electrical engineering are solid backgrounds to have when becoming an energy auditor.
The Association of Energy Engineers also offers the ability for you to become a Certified Energy Auditor. To become certified, you must have a blend of formal education and experience. For example, those with an unrelated 4-year degree, must show at more than 4 years of related experience. Those with an associate must show they have 5 years of related experience.
Job Description of an Energy Auditor
Energy auditors go into a business and home and look for ways to improve the energy consumption of the building or its systems. They leverage their background in construction and their knowledge of electrical systems to evaluate various ways the location is wasting energy and then recommend improvements. They may even recommend additional energy-saving systems that may have an initial cost investment to the buyer but reduce cost in the long run. They may also find themselves in small spaces and may need to crawl or bend to get to difficult locations to inspect.
Energy Auditor Career Video Transcript
When home and building energy usage is on the rise, Energy Auditors help bring it down. Energy auditors often begin by inspecting homes or commercial buildings to measure heat, cooling, electrical and gas usage. They use thermal infrared cameras to find energy leaks, and blower-door tests to measure the airtightness of a structure. The next step is often to meet with building managers or home owners to determine how to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. This requires extensive knowledge of efficient practices and excellent communication skills.
Physical fitness is important for this career, since energy auditors spend much of the day on their feet, and may find themselves anywhere from rooftops to attics and tight crawl spaces when looking for the weaknesses in a building’s insulation. A variety of groups hire energy auditors, from utility companies to construction and engineering firms.
Many experienced energy auditors choose self-employment to work on their own schedule. Some states require energy auditors to become certified. Many auditors learn through up to three years of on-the-job training. Energy auditors are on the front lines to combat energy waste and help consumers save money. They make a great impact on the environment and on your energy bill.
Article Citations
National Center for O*NET Development. 13-1199.01. O*NET OnLine.
U.S. Department of Energy. Professional Home Energy Audits.
The career video is Public Domain from the U. S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
