Step 1 – Creating an action package

A Total Concept project starts with a comprehensive technical inventory in the building  to establish the status of the building and to identify all conceivable energy saving measures. At this stage, all possible measures for improving energy efficiency are identified and costed, and the subsequent energy savings are calculated. This assessment is considerably more thorough than that required for example for energy certification.

 Step 1 is divided into the following tasks:

• Gathering of basic information about the building and compiling technical data.
• Energy audit and identification of energy saving measures.
• Energy calculations.
• Investment cost estimations.
• Profitability calculations and the creation of an action package.
• Reporting and presentation of proposals for measures to be carried out.

The outcomes of Step 1 provides a basis for a decision whether or not to invest in the action package.

Establishing a baseline

For assessing the total saving potential with identified measures it is necessary to define an energy use baseline or a reference level for what the savings are compared to. This is on condition that the building fulfils all the relevant minimum requirements regarding indoor climate. Commonly this baseline is set based on the measured energy use in the building. However, there can be a number of cases where determining a baseline for energy savings requires more careful consideration than just taking the measured values from energy statistics. If, for example, the premises do not fulfil the minimum requirements with regard to ventilation, the building’s ventilation system must be upgraded before beginning to study possible energy saving measures. The energy use after this refurbishment must be calculated and set as a baseline.