In energy auditing, what is typically the first step to understanding a building's energy use?

Reviewing utility bills is typically the first step in understanding a building's energy use because they provide a historical record of the building's energy consumption patterns. Utility bills contain essential information such as total energy usage, trends over time, seasonal fluctuations, and costs associated with energy consumption. By examining these bills, auditors can identify peak usage times, unusual spikes in consumption, and overall energy efficiency. This data sets the groundwork for further analysis and allows the auditor to pinpoint areas that may require deeper investigation, such as equipment performance or occupant behavior.

In contrast, conducting a site visit, analyzing building plans, and interviewing occupants are crucial parts of the auditing process that come after the initial review of utility bills. They can provide invaluable insight but typically rely on the foundational information gathered through the review of energy usage data.