The RAN-RM team is pleased to announce the conclusion of the second phase of the RAN-RM program, conducting Level I Energy Audits, for the first budget cycle. The RAN-RM team, with assistance from University of Colorado’s student enrolled in Building Energy Audit class, evaluated 53 non-profits belonging to the Rocky Mountain Region (Colorado, Montana, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming). The applicants represented places of worship, office spaces, animal shelters, camps and retreats, health centers, lodges, and recovery centers.
The energy audit was conducted by analyzing at least 12 months of energy usage (electricity and fossil fuel) for all applicants and conducting temperature-based and degree-day-based analysis. The analysis included calculations of percentage potential energy savings, energy use intensity, and cost analysis (simple pay-back periods and net present value) of implementing recommended retrofit measures.
Based on the analysis, 23 applicants were selected to proceed to the next phase, receiving an ASHARE Level 2 Energy Audit. This phase will focus on collecting detailed information on the applicants’ facilities by conducing in-person site visits and performing tests focused on understanding the performance of building system and occupant comfort.
The RAN-RM team, along with assistance from CU Boulder students, will be reaching out to the selected facilities to conduct the Level 2 Energy Audits through May 2025 and produce an audit report for all 23 selected facilities. The report will summarize each facility’s annual energy consumption, potential retrofits, results of on-site tests conducted, results of energy analysis conducted through building energy modeling, and the estimated cost of installing the recommended retrofits. Based on the Level 2 Energy Audit results, 12-18 applicants will be selected to receive funding for retrofits and, after US Department of Energy approval, proceed to the Retrofit Implementation Phase (i.e., becoming retrofit subrecipients).
If you were selected for Level 1 Energy Audit but have not heard back from us regarding the status of your application, please contact our team at [email protected].
We have also started accepting applications for preliminary energy assessment for the second cycle of the program. New applicants can submit their application by going to https://ranrm.com/apply_now/ and selecting “Apply for a Preliminary Energy Analysis Here (Google Form Link).”
As part of the RAN-RM program’s effort to promote continuous education and dissemination of energy efficiency and building retrofit knowledge, the RAN-RM team is hosting regular informational sessions for all applicants. Details about the meetings, including registration links and topics, are available on our Events page.