This prerequisite is highly achievable, and worth doing, because it will give you valuable information on the performance and efficiency of your operations.

It’s all about documentation

You’ll need to develop documentation that incorporates operational best practices to earn this prerequisite. The focus is on documenting standard operating procedures (SOPs) and best practices for building personnel and establishing a baseline approximation of building energy efficiency, major end-uses, and potential opportunities to reduce energy consumption.

You’ll need to provide the following documents:

• Building Operating Plan
• Systems Narrative
• Sequence of Operations
• Preventive Maintenance Plan
• Summary Report of an ASHRAE Level I Walkthrough

The ASHRAE Level I Walkthrough

The ASHRAE Level I Walkthrough involves examining utility records and mechanical systems to identify opportunities to reduce building energy consumption and operating costs. Note that the ASHRAE Level I Walkthrough is typically performed by a qualified third-party consultant, but you can also do it with in-house staff if they have the right background. The process requires you to gather energy consumption data for the entire building to derive performance indicators and identify low-cost and no-cost opportunities and capital improvement measures to improve overall performance.

If the ASHRAE audit is performed by in-house staff, refer to the ASHRAE “Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits” document. Guidelines for creating ASHRAE audit documentation can also be found in “EBOM ASHRAE Audit Documentation.” (See Resources for information on both documents.)

Pursuing EAc2.1: Existing Building Commissioning?

If you plan to pursue EAc2.1: Existing Building Commissioning—Investigation and Analysis, you have the option of meeting that credit with completion of an ASHRAE Level II: Energy Audit. (The other option is to commence building commissioning.) If you choose the auditing option for EAc2.1, complete the requirements for both the Level I and Level II audits at the same time. 

Consider these questions when approaching this credit

• Is relevant building information in written form or at least ready to be developed and documented? Is it accessible to all relevant building personnel? Once you develop operational best practices, it’s an effective practice to make sure the whole staff has access to them. 
• Has an ASHRAE Level I Walkthrough been conducted in the last five years? If so, you may not need to conduct another Level I Walkthrough during your performance period. However, the audit report must be updated to reflect any significant changes in operating procedures or building systems.
• If the ASHRAE audit has not occurred, are you in a position to perform the work in-house, or do you need to bring in an outside party?