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ENERGY AUDITS
The energy audit compares the current cost of utilities, operation, and maintenance of the existing housing stock at your property with a set of proposed new conditions. The proposed Energy Conservation Opportunities (ECO’s) are taken from HUD guidance and general knowledge of the industry. The estimated cost savings are compared with the implementation costs to determine the relative economic impact of implementing the ECO. Current HUD guidance indicates that annual savings of more than one-fifteenth of the implementation cost warrant implementation of the ECO.
PHA CIRCULAR
ATTENTION: ALL PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCIES IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE WASHINGTON
STATE OFFICE NO. 98-26
SUBJECT: Energy Audits APPLIES TO: LIPH
NOTE: Forms, Handbooks, Notices, and other directives issued by HUD Headquarters may be ordered by calling 1-800-767-7468, or faxing an order to (202) 708-2313.
As most know, the Federal Regulations concerning Energy Audits have been revised. The general rule at 24CFR 965.301 now allows only five years interval between Energy Audits of a facility. The Modernization specific rule at 24CFR 968.115 refers to the general rule, requiring cost effective opportunities to be pursued when a work item is carried out.
Formerly there was no interval, so, many of the Audits from the old rule (dated 1984) are the most current available to Housing Authorities. If any of your energy audits for Low Rent Public Housing structures were completed prior to October 1994, you should budget for new audits. That is because procuring the finished product is likely to take up to a year to complete.
We concur with several of you who have combined the energy audit analysis with the utility allowance analysis. The overlap in the data base and the technical training needed for these two efforts makes it efficient to carry them out under a single contract.
The audits should analyze the "life cycle cost" of an energy saving opportunity. Do not forget the maintenance and repair costs of the options being compared. For example, a change from incandescent to florescent lighting might not be cost effective based on the energy savings. If your staff is spending time replacing the burned out bulbs, the change will be very cost effective because of labor cost savings.
Please note that, while it is not specifically mentioned in the Regulation, a water use audit is strongly recommended. Most of you have seen tremendous percentage increases in water and sewer costs over the last few years. Simple things like pressure reducer valves can save both water and maintenance costs since all the valves in a reduced pressure unit will be under less stress. The flow will be reduced and there will be fewer leaks. Despite fears of high maintenance costs for "low flow" toilets, staffs at several PHAs have reported such fears to be unfounded.
This office has sample energy audit report documents available. We will send copies to you at your request.
Your resources include the utility company’s conservation
staff, Mike Lubliner at Washington State University (360-956-2082), and
the Lighting Design Lab (206-325-9711). On the computer Internet system
see:
www.waterwiser.org
www.eren.doe.gov/femp/procurement
www.energystar.gov
www.aceee.org
www.energy.wsu.edu
www.greenseal.org
Should you have any questions, please contact John Hardin, in the Operations
Division, at (206) 220-5290 extension 3699.