HOA Energy Audits: Identifying Savings Opportunities in Common Areas

As energy costs rise, many homeowner’s associations (HOAs) are struggling to keep fees stable, resulting in steep increases for homeowners. As you may imagine, rising fees often cause conflict between homeowners and the Board. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Instead, consider conducting a professional energy audit that focuses on common areas, such as clubhouses, pools, and exterior lighting. Energy audits can help your Board uncover significant savings opportunities that can be passed on to homeowners. It’s a win-win for everyone. 

Here is what every HOA should know about energy audits and how to use them to maximize savings and long-term efficiency. 

What is an HOA Energy Audit?

Before scheduling an energy audit, you need to understand what it is and its process. 

An energy audit is a detailed inspection of your HOA’s energy use. Its goal is to identify where energy is being wasted and how to improve efficiency. As efficiency increases, costs decrease. 

HOAs can often find significant cost savings through energy audits in common areas, such as the following. 

• Exterior, hallway and garage lighting. 
• Clubhouse HVAC systems.
• Pool equipment. 
• Shared laundry rooms. 
• Irrigation systems. 

Your energy audit will be conducted by professionals, such as licensed contractors, energy consultants, or utility companies offering incentive programs. 

Why Focus on Common Areas?

Energy audits can be performed on any facet of an HOA, but we recommend focusing on common areas. There are a few reasons for this advice. 

Most importantly, shared spaces are often the largest source of energy use and waste in a community. Unlike private homes, the equipment in a common area may run for hours and not receive the required routine maintenance. 

These small things can add up quickly and end up costing your HOA thousands. 

Where to Find the Biggest Savings

The energy auditor will likely focus on finding the areas that will save your HOA the most money. These may include the following. 

• Lighting systems: The auditor may suggest you upgrade to LED lighting, add motion sensors, or install timers to cut electricity costs. 
• HVAC: In shared buildings, programmable thermostats and regular maintenance can increase comfort and reduce energy usage. 
• Pools and water heaters: Often, pool pumps and heaters are major energy consumers. You may be able to switch to more energy-efficient models and use timers. 
• Insulation: Sealing leaks and improving insulation can help maintain temperatures and reduce strain on your HVAC system 
• Smart control: You could upgrade to a centralized control system that manages lighting or irrigation, which can be monitored and controlled remotely for convenience. 

An energy audit of your HOA’s common areas can significantly increase your cost savings and reduce wear-and-tear, lower costs in the future as well. If you are new to the energy audit process, contact Omega Property Management. From coordinating with trusted vendors to reviewing reports and managing implementation, we can walk you through the process.