Know where you stand. Then start optimising. Our ASHRAE standard energy audits give you clarity on your energy use and help to uncover hidden inefficiencies. Take the first step toward real savings and sustainability now.
Before energy can be managed – or saved – it must first be understood. Whether in residential towers, commercial buildings, or government facilities, knowing how much energy your property consumes, and where, is the essential first step toward reducing it.
That’s where energy audits come in. They take a deep dive into your building’s performance, turning data into actionable savings. It begins with transparency: analysing utility use and system performance to uncover inefficiencies. From there, our experts identify targeted improvements– ranging from quick wins to long-term upgrades – and evaluate each one based on cost, return, and impact. The result is a clear, tailored roadmap to reduce consumption, lower costs, and operate more sustainably.
In a region driven by ambitious climate targets, energy audits have never been more important. As the UAE accelerates toward its Net Zero 2050 vision, audits provide the foundation for smarter, future-ready buildings that align with national goals while delivering real business value.
Ensure the facility adheres to local energy efficiency standards and regulations, avoiding penalties and promoting sustainable practices.
Identifies opportunities for reducing energy use through upgrades like efficient lighting, HVAC, motions sensors, …etc.
Energy audits are the foundation for effective retrofit work. They help building owners and operators unlock valuable insight into how a property functions, where energy is wasted, and how performance can be improved. The benefits are both immediate and long-term.
Audits provide a detailed report of existing energy use and inefficiencies, establishing a clear baseline for future improvements. This transparency enables targeted optimisation – often beginning with affordable, low-impact measures that offer quick payback and long-term savings. Based on the findings, a customised energy plan is developed, outlining specific, actionable steps to reduce consumption and enhance efficiency.
By uncovering cost-saving opportunities, audits can significantly lower utility bills and operating costs. They also improve building performance, occupant comfort, and long-term asset value—while supporting compliance with sustainability regulations. In short, energy audits make buildings smarter, greener, and more financially resilient.
Buildings account for a significant proportion of the world’s energy consumption and contribute greatly to global greenhouse gas emissions. For owners of residential, commercial and public buildings, effective energy management is therefore not only a cost-saving measure, but also a critical responsibility in the face of growing environmental and regulatory pressures.
Governments across the globe are introducing stricter energy efficiency standards, and the UAE is no exception. In Dubai, all government buildings are required to undergo energy audits in accordance with the ‘Directive on Energy & Water Efficiency of Buildings for Government Entities’. These audits must be conducted by firms accredited under the Energy Audit Firm Accreditation Scheme, which is managed by the RSB. Ras Al Khaimah enforces similar requirements for industrial facilities. These local regulations reflect the UAE’s broader sustainability goals, including its commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.
As these frameworks evolve, energy audits, benchmarking and retro-commissioning are becoming legal requirements rather than just best practice. Building owners and operators who act now can stay ahead of future legislation, demonstrate environmental leadership, and align their portfolios with the region’s long-term energy vision.
At ista, we bring decades of international experience and a deep understanding of regional building requirements to every audit we conduct. Our certified energy managers and technical specialists follow globally recognised ASHRAE standards to deliver energy audits that are precise, practical, and fully aligned with your goals.
We carry out energy audits at three levels, according to the ASHRAE standard. Each level offers a progressively deeper dive of a building’s energy performance.
Whether you're looking for a quick overview or a detailed investment-grade analysis, our team is equipped to guide you through the entire process—from data collection to actionable results.
The Level 1 audit is your starting point for understanding how your building uses energy. Also known as a “walkthrough audit,” it involves a basic site visit and a review of your recent utility bills to identify obvious inefficiencies and savings opportunities.
This type of audit is ideal for getting a quick, low-cost overview of where energy is being wasted and which small, low-investment improvements could make a difference. You’ll receive a short summary report outlining key findings and potential next steps. It’s a smart first move if you want to assess whether deeper analysis is worthwhile—and where to focus your efforts next.
The Level 2 audit provides a more detailed picture of your building’s energy performance. As well as reviewing utility data, our experts carry out a thorough site survey and talk to facility managers, operators and occupants to gain an understanding of how the building operates on a day-to-day basis.
The audit includes diagnostic testing, such as airflow, lighting and indoor air quality checks, and breaks down energy use by system, so you can clearly see where the biggest savings opportunities are. Based on the findings, we create a customised energy model and present you with a detailed action plan complete with cost estimates, projected savings and return-on-investment calculations.
This practical, data-backed roadmap will help you to make your building more efficient, comfortable and cost-effective. We conduct three levels of ASHRAE energy audits, each offering a progressively deeper analysis of a building’s energy performance.
The Level 3 audit is the most detailed and accurate form of energy assessment. Also known as an Investment Grade Audit (IGA), it is designed for buildings undergoing major upgrades or capital-intensive improvements, where high-confidence data is required before investment commitments are made.
Building on the findings of a Level 2 audit, this audit goes several steps further. We collect long-term data using advanced monitoring tools and analyse how systems interact with each other, such as the effect of HVAC, lighting and controls on energy use. This enables us to identify specific inefficiencies and accurately calculate the energy (and financial) savings that could be achieved by addressing them.
The result is a detailed engineering and financial report which includes bundling different energy conservation measures (ECMs) and is complete with schematics, investment forecasts and precise savings projections. If you are considering energy performance contracting or require data to secure funding, this is the audit level for
Find your end-to-end solution with us.
Always and everywhere informed.
We give houses a future.
By combining our one-stop solutions with the innovative technology in our appliances, managing your energy consumption has never been easier. Our experts are happy to advise you on the best combination of tools to optimise efficiency and savings.
Smart meters and consumption based energy billing for end users reduces service charges and fulfills all regulatory requirement. Ultimately supporting the targets of the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy.
Also benefit from our web portal, which allows them to manage all their property information centrally. With just a few clicks, invoices can be verified and legal requirements met.
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Discover how a mixed-use property in Dubai optimised its heating system with intelligent heat cost allocation - reducing costs, increasing efficiency and ensuring fair billing for all residents.
A London apartment complex redesigned its heating system and dramatically reduced tenant complaints by 80% through accurate and transparent billing.
An energy audit is a structured analysis of how your building uses energy. It involves reviewing utility data, inspecting systems like HVAC, lighting, and controls, and identifying where energy is being wasted. The audit results in a report that outlines inefficiencies, recommends energy-saving measures, and provides cost and savings estimates to support decision-making.
ASHRAE stands for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. It is a globally recognised organisation that develops technical standards and guidelines for building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainability. ASHRAE is considered a leading authority in energy auditing, and its audit levels (1, 2, and 3) are used as international benchmarks for assessing building energy performance.
ASHRAE standards are a set of best practices and technical guidelines used worldwide to improve building performance. In the context of energy audits, the ASHRAE audit levels (1, 2, and 3) define the depth and detail of analysis—from basic assessments to investment-grade reports. These standards help ensure that audits are performed consistently, accurately, and in a way that leads to actionable, measurable energy savings.
In some sectors, yes. For example, energy audits are currently mandatory for government buildings and hotels in Dubai, and for industrial facilities in Ras Al Khaimah. Even where audits aren't yet required, they’re highly encouraged to align with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 and Energy Strategy 2050 goals. Staying ahead of regulations today can help avoid compliance issues tomorrow.
That depends on your goals. A Level 1 audit is a quick walkthrough that identifies basic savings opportunities with minimal investment. A Level 2 audit offers a detailed building analysis, diagnostic testing, and a custom energy savings plan. For buildings planning large-scale upgrades or performance contracts, a Level 3 audit provides deep technical analysis, long-term monitoring, and investment-grade savings projections.
Savings vary depending on the building type, systems in place, and existing inefficiencies. Many clients see energy reductions of 10–30%, especially when implementing the low-cost measures identified in Level 1 or 2 audits. We also provide clear return-on-investment (ROI) estimates for each recommended action.
A Level 1 audit can typically be completed in a few days. Level 2 audits usually take 1–2 weeks depending on building complexity. A Level 3 audit is a more in-depth process that includes long-term monitoring and may take several weeks to complete. We’ll provide a clear timeline before starting any audit.
Certainly! ista is more than just an audit provider—we’re a certified Energy Services Company (ESCO) with decades of international experience and a strong local presence in the UAE. As a leading provider of smart metering and energy solutions, ista Middle East holds a unique position as both an ESCO and a utility service expert.
This dual role enables us to deliver performance-based energy efficiency projects with measurable savings, while also ensuring the accuracy, transparency, and compliance that only a metering specialist can provide. From identifying opportunities to executing the upgrades, we manage the entire process—so you see real results, not just recommendations.
Our custom solutions are designed to help our clients reduce their environmental impact, improve health and safety in their buildings, and save energy costs.
Simplify energy regulations with tailored solutions for accurate energy metering and billing.
