Guide
Commercial Energy Audits in Colorado
An energy audit is a review of how your building uses energy and where it wastes it. Some Colorado utilities pay for part of the audit, and some rebate programs ask for one before you apply.
The three levels of audit
Audits are usually described in levels. The higher the level, the more measurement and detail you get.
- Level 1 — a walk-through. Quick look at lighting, HVAC, and controls, with a short list of ideas.
- Level 2 — the common choice. Utility bill review, equipment inventory, savings estimates, and costs.
- Level 3 — deep study with detailed measurement and modeling, used for large capital projects.
What happens during the visit
An auditor walks the building, counts and photographs equipment, checks run hours and controls, and asks how the space is used.
- Lighting: fixture types, counts, watts, hours on, and switch or sensor setup.
- HVAC: age, type, condition, thermostat settings, and maintenance history.
- Envelope and water heating, when they matter for your building type.
- Bills: 12 to 24 months of electric and gas use to find patterns.
How audits connect to rebates
Utilities often treat the audit as step one. The report gives you the fixture counts and run hours that rebate applications ask for, and some programs cover part of the audit cost for business customers.
How to prepare
A little prep makes the report much more useful.
- Pull your last full year of utility bills.
- Write down operating hours by area, including cleaning crews.
- List equipment you already plan to replace.
- Note any comfort complaints or spaces that never get used.
Common questions
Questions people ask
Do I need an audit to get a rebate?
Not always. Many lighting rebates only need fixture counts and specs. Larger or custom projects are more likely to require a study.
How long does an audit take?
A walk-through can take a couple of hours. A Level 2 audit on a mid-size building usually takes a day on site, plus time to write the report.
Who pays for it?
That depends on your utility and program. Check the official program page for your utility before you schedule anything.
Next steps
Use the free tools
This guide is general information, not advice for one building. Confirm current rules with your utility.
Information last reviewed September 1, 2026.