The Energy Efficiency Auditor responsible for the Energy Efficiency Audit Report and Confirmation of Energy Audit must possess experience in energy efficiency audits or commissioning of existing buildings, and either a license or recognized certification in energy efficiency evaluations. The industry has not adopted a single standard certification or qualification for energy audit services. To be as flexible as possible, a wide range of energy auditor credentials are recognized as acceptable for compliance with the ordinance. Summary of qualifications recognized by the Department of Environment for providing energy audit services:
| Certification or License | AND | Minimum Experience | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) |
Licensed Engineer (PE) OR PhD in Mechanical Engineering* |
AND |
At least 2 years experience performing energy efficiency audits or commissioning of existing buildings; OR Any certification listed in #2 below. |
| (2) |
One of of the following certifications:
|
AND |
At least 2 years experience performing energy efficiency audits or commissioning of existing buildings |
| (3) |
- BOC International Building Operator Certification Level II; OR
- (B) International Union of Operating Engineers |
AND |
At least 10 years experience as a building operating engineer; OR At least 5 years experience as a chief operating engineer |
| (4) | Equivalent professional qualifications to manage, maintain, or evaluate building systems, as well as specialized training in energy efficiency audits and maintenance of building systems, as determined by the Director of the Department of Environment | ||
| *Qualifications approved by Department of Environment as equivalent | |||
SF Environment does not recommend any individual benchmarking consultant or an energy auditor.
The following firms have submitted an Annual Energy Benchmark Summary or Confirmation of Energy Audit on behalf of clients in San Francisco, and are credentialed by the Investor Confidence Project as meeting the requirements to produce ICP Investor Ready Energy Efficiency™ projects for their clients and investors. They have completed ICP Project Developer Training, and submitted credentials and references to the Investor Confidence Project for validation. According to the ICP, these firms have the credentials and experience to develop a quality energy efficiency project and meet Investor Confidence Project Protocols.
Additionally, the following consultants have submitted an Annual Energy Benchmark Summary or a Confirmation of Energy Audit on behalf of clients in San Francisco. This is not a recommendation, nor intended to imply anything about the quality of their work.
- 2rw Consultants
- Able Engineering
- ABM
- ACCO Engineered Systems
- Ambient Energy
- Association for Energy Affordability
- Bay Efficiency
- Boone Energy
- Burton Energy Group
- CodeGreen Solutions
- CommEnergy
- EcoCosm
- Ecology Action
- Ecova
- Energy Design Solutions
- Energy Resources Integration, LLC
- Enovity
- Glumac
- Goby LLC
- Guttman & Blaevoet
- HabEnergy Systems
- Johnson Controls Inc.
- kW Engineering
- Leading Edge
- Legacy Mechanical & Energy Services
- Lisa Smith
- Marina Mechanical
- Northgate Environmental Management
- NRGWise
- Partner Energy
- Pegasus Energy Solutions
- Pundir Group
- QuEST
- Schneider Electric
- Servidyne
- SOL VISTA
- Stok
- Tālō Management Group
- Tierra Resource Consultants
- Verdafero
- Verdani Partners
- Verdigris Technologies
- Vert Energy Group
- Viable Green Building Solutions
- WegoWise by Appfolio
Two designations recognized by the ordinance that directly correspond to the energy audit services required by the ordinance are: a licensed professional engineer (PE) or a certified ASHRAE Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP). You may find a list of professionals with these qualifications via:
- ASHRAE Certified Building Energy Assessment Professionals
- EPA ENERGY STAR Directory of Licensed Design Professionals A professional engineering license (with experience in energy audits and services) is a qualification to provide energy audits, but an architectural license is not a professional qualification recognized under the ordinance. The EPA directory includes both.
- California's Department of Consumer Affairs maintains a database to confirm Professional Engineers are currently licensed.
PG&E provides a limited number of audits for their customers to support energy efficiency improvements (rather than for the purpose of compliance.) To learn more, contact your PG&E representative or PG&E’s Business Customer Service Center at 1-800-468-4743.
