Energy Accounting: A Key Tool in Managing Energy Costs

Energy accounting allows companies to record, analyze, and report energy consumption and costs on a regular basis. Understanding how much energy your organization consumes is the first step toward successful energy management — in school districts, cities, counties, colleges, businesses, and other organizations.

This guide — written by the California Energy Commission but relevant to any organization or business within or outside California — offers practical tips for using energy accounting to cut energy costs. Learn about the causes of variation in energy use, and find guidelines for understanding your utility bill. The appendix reviews and provides information on five of the most popular commercially available energy-accounting software packages.