Energy Audit DIN EN 16247-1 For Businesses
An energy audit in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1 is mandatory for many companies.
Most companies conduct it simply because they have to.
Very few make economic use of it.
(Violations may result in a fine of up to 50,000 € per case—enforced by the BAFA.)
What matters is not the obligation, but the benefit it brings.
This affects companies that are no longer SMEs.
Elbe-Werkstätten GmbH – Climate Change Adaptation & Energy Efficiency – Hamburg
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Your Benefits
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Measurably Reduce Energy Costs
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Use grants strategically instead of giving them away
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Make investment decisions based on reliable figures
What Sets Us Apart
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Many energy audits result in a report. Many energy audits end with a report. For us, that’s where implementation begins—based on a clear foundation for decision-making.
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We show exactly where energy and money are being wasted – in buildings, facilities, and processes.
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We prioritize measures based on whether they are effective, eligible for funding, and result in measurable CO₂ reductions. This creates a solid basis for decision-making rather than mere documentation.
The result
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Transparency Regarding Your Energy Consumption
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specific, prioritized measures
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lower costs and reduced emissions An audit that pays off financially.
What are your costs?
The costs depend on the structure, locations, and complexity of your business. You’ll know what to expect before the project begins—either as a clear estimate or a fixed price.
This is how we do things
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Collection and Organization of All Energy Data
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Analysis of Buildings, Facilities, and Processes
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Identification of specific cost-saving opportunities
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Economic Assessment, Including Grants
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A clear, prioritized list of actions Estimated duration: 12 to 20 weeks. Your effort: minimal. We’ll provide the structure.
And after that?
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For us, the energy audit isn't the end of the process.
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It is the foundation for: • Funding strategies
• CO₂ footprints
• Transformation plans
• and for concrete implementation -
In addition: The energy audit must be repeated every four years. Follow-up audits are generally much more efficient and cost-effective.
What does this mean specifically for your company?
These are the questions that need to be addressed now:
Yes, for many companies, an energy audit is mandatory. This applies to all companies that are not SMEs—that is, those with more than 250 employees or that exceed the relevant revenue and balance sheet thresholds.
Violations may result in fines of up to 50,000 €. This is reviewed by the BAFA.
However, what matters is not the obligation—
—but whether you take concrete action based on it.
The energy audit is mandatory for non-SMEs under the Energy Services Act (EDL-G).
In addition, new requirements under the Energy Efficiency Act (EnEfG) apply:
- Annual consumption of 2.5 GWh or more
→ Requirement to identify and evaluate energy efficiency measures - Annual consumption of 7.5 GWh or more
→ Requirement to implement an energy management system (e.g., ISO 50001)
This means:
Even companies that are not subject to traditional audit requirements are increasingly required to analyze and manage their energy consumption in a structured manner.
The energy audit must be repeated every four years.
This requirement to repeat the process is mandated by law and is reviewed on a regular basis.
The advantage:
Follow-up audits are significantly more efficient because the structure and processes are already in place, and the focus is on the changes.
The duration depends on the company’s size, locations, and complexity.
In practice, an energy audit usually takes between 12 and 20 weeks—from data collection to the final action plan.
What matters is not the duration, but that clear, economically evaluated measures are in place at the end.
An energy audit is not a report—it is a basis for decision-making.
You’ll get:
• Transparency regarding energy consumption and costs
• Prioritized measures based on cost-effectiveness
• A basis for grants and investments
When used correctly, this can lead to potential savings in the five- to six-figure range.
Compliance is the first step.
The economic benefits only materialize once the measures are implemented.
That depends on your company’s energy consumption.
For annual consumption of 7.5 GWh or more, an energy management system such as ISO 50001 is mandatory.
In many cases, an energy audit in accordance with DIN EN 16247 is sufficient. What matters is not just the obligation, but which system makes the most economic sense for your company.