5 Signs It’s Time for a Utility Audit

Heading into winter without understanding your building’s energy profile is like entering a storm without a weather report. A professional utility audit reveals the inefficiencies that spike your bills—and helps you fix them before they drain your reserves.

Sign 1: Winter Bills Keep Rising (Even When You Adjust Thermostats)

This points to equipment inefficiencies, duct leaks, or system imbalance. An audit can identify whether it’s your boiler, heat pumps, or control settings that are driving up costs.

Pro Insight: Many heating systems operate at 60–70% efficiency by year five if not proactively maintained.

Sign 2: Your Preventive Maintenance Plan Is More Reactive Than Preventive

Are you only fixing things when tenants complain or equipment breaks? If so, you’re likely losing money every heating season.

Audit Benefit: A utility audit assesses both equipment and operation, and provides a checklist for smart seasonal prep.

Sign 3: You’re Budgeting for 2026 Without Utility Data

Without actual performance metrics, you’re guessing—likely overbudgeting or underestimating risk.

Better Strategy: Use audit findings to justify capital improvements, apply for rebates, or secure green lending products.

Sign 4: You’ve Never Had a Utility Audit

Most owners don’t realize how inefficient their buildings are until they see the benchmarks. First-time audits often uncover billing errors, overuse patterns, or missed incentives.

Sign 5: Tenant Comfort Complaints Are Increasing

Poor heating performance means unhappy tenants—and turnover. Audits uncover zoning problems, insulation gaps, and ventilation issues.

Audit Season Starts Now. Before the first frost hits, property owners should assess systems, identify funding opportunities, and prioritize improvements.

Contact KGL to schedule your pre-winter utility audit and improve your NOI this heating season.