Energy/Carbon Auditor Kaitātari Pūngao/Waro

Energy/carbon auditors assess the amount of energy used and carbon produced by organisations. They also recommend ways to increase energy efficiency.

Energy and carbon auditors can become accredited through the Energy Management Association of New Zealand (EMANZ). Auditor accreditation requires about five years of energy and carbon auditing experience.

Energy/carbon auditors may do some or all of the following:

  • inspect buildings and carry out energy surveys/audits
  • ensure accurate records are kept and energy monitoring data is collected regularly
  • develop methods to reduce energy use at businesses and organisations, and help put these methods into practice
  • set up procedures to monitor and assess carbon emissions
  • develop methods to reduce carbon emissions
  • review the effectiveness of energy and carbon reduction measures and verify any savings made from these changes
  • write reports and present findings to clients
  • provide technical and practical advice, and offer training on energy efficiency
  • provide technical support to mechanical and electrical design engineers.

Useful Experience

Useful experience for energy/carbon auditors includes:

  • building and construction work
  • home energy assessment or insulation work
  • work involving accounting or economics
  • work servicing building systems such as heating and ventilation systems
  • work in factories.

Personal Qualities

Energy/carbon auditors need to be:

  • able to work to strict deadlines
  • well organised, with good planning skills
  • methodical with calculations and reporting
  • able to work well in a team
  • good written and verbal communicators.

Skills

Energy/carbon auditors need to have knowledge of:

  • energy management
  • renewable energy and energy storage technologies
  • technologies and techniques for reducing carbon emissions
  • how to measure energy use and carbon emissions of buildings and industrial processes
  • building services and controls such as centralised computer systems for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning
  • the energy market and pricing
  • legislation on energy efficiency and carbon reduction
  • how to manage projects.

Conditions

Energy/carbon auditors:

  • usually work a 40-hour week, though they may work evenings or weekends when buildings are empty
  • spend most of their time either at their office or visiting worksites such as office buildings and factories
  • may travel locally, nationally and internationally to visit sites.

Energy/Carbon Auditors can earn around $60K-$80K per year.

Pay for energy/carbon auditors varies depending on qualifications and experience.

  • Energy/carbon auditors with up to five years' experience usually earn between $60,000 and $80,000 a year.
  • Energy/carbon auditors with five or more years' experience and accreditation can earn from $80,000 to $200,000.

Source: Energy Management Association of New Zealand (EMANZ), 2018.

Energy/carbon auditors may progress to set up their own business, or move into management roles. 

Years Of Training

2-3 years of training usually required.

To become an energy/carbon auditor you need to have a tertiary qualification in one of the following:

  • building science
  • energy management
  • engineering (chemical,electrical,environmental,industrial,mechanical)
  • environmental management
  • quantity surveying.

According to the Energy Management Association of New Zealand (EMANZ), typical qualifications for energy/carbon auditors include:

  • New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (Level 4)
  • New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6).
Energy/Carbon Auditor