by Ashleigh Ryan
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10 March 2025
With energy costs rising by an average of 14% annually across Australia and New Zealand and increasing climate regulations pressuring businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, energy efficiency has quickly shifted from a nice-to-have to a business-critical priority. Yet many organisations struggle to move beyond identifying problems to implementing practical solutions. Energy audits, when done properly, provide more than just a snapshot of current consumption - they deliver a strategic blueprint for tangible improvements. DETA, a leading energy consultancy in NZ and Australia , approaches energy audits not as isolated exercises but as the foundation of comprehensive energy transformation. The key to success lies not just in conducting the audit itself, but in building and executing a practical roadmap that translates findings into measurable results. Understanding the energy audit process DETA's energy audit and management methodology follows a structured five-step approach designed to maximise value and ensure realistic and achievable actionable outcomes: 1. The process begins with Project Kick-Off where objectives, scope, and deliverables are clearly established. This crucial first step ensures alignment between the audit team and the organisation's goals, whether they're focused on cost reduction, carbon abatement, or regulatory compliance. 2. Next comes Understanding Your Situation , where DETA's team conducts a thorough review of available energy data, performs detailed site visits, and engages with key stakeholders. This comprehensive approach helps identify not just current energy usage patterns but also operational contexts that influence consumption. 3. The Analysis Phase represents the technical core of the audit, evaluating how sites can reduce costs , energy consumption, and carbon emissions. DETA examines both energy efficiency (demand-side) opportunities and fuel transition (supply-side) possibilities, providing a holistic view of potential improvements. 4. During The Report stage, information is collated into clear, accessible documentation for each site, detailing specific recommendations, next steps, and suggested priorities. These reports comply with AS/NZ 3598:2014 standards while remaining practical and accessible to stakeholders. 5. Finally, the Close Out phase supports clients in interpreting and presenting energy audit findings to key decision-makers, ensuring that technical information is translated into business language that drives action.
