Energy auditor jobs became more prominent in the early 21st century as concerns about the environment and the use of natural resources increased. There are four different types of energy auditor jobs: identification of audit areas, completing the audit, teaching and research. All of these jobs are professional or management-level positions.
Many energy auditors are professional engineers, specializing in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering. These positions can be found in government agencies, energy companies and energy research institutes. People who are interested in this type of work typically are dedicated to environmental protection and want to find ways to reduce waste and increase efficiency in the energy system. Candidates for this type of position must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in energy management or a related field.
The identification of audit areas is one of the most important of the different energy auditor jobs. Ideally, the auditor should be part of a government agency responsible for energy efficiency. He or she should be able to review the energy utilization records and identify businesses or locations with a higher-than-average pattern of energy usage. Countries with this structure are able to focus energy management activities on areas with the greatest potential for savings. Exempting certain sectors or industries from energy audits is inefficient and undermines energy management initiatives.
Completing an energy audit requires a combination of skill, experience and judgment. In order to prepare, the auditor creates an audit plan, meets with the client, then schedules the time required to complete the audit. He or she must physically go to the site and inspect the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Insulation, water usage, ambient temperature setting and cooling mechanisms are all parts of the audit.
Many people who have been working in energy auditor jobs for at least 10 years make the transition into teaching. The opportunities available for an energy auditor include short lectures, seminars or weekend courses. These sessions might be organized by a professional association or offered as part of a conference on energy efficiency.
Some of the most interesting energy auditor jobs involve research into how to improve energy efficiency, minimize waste and make better use of existing resources. These positions can be found in manufacturing companies or dedicated research institutes. The work completed here is used to create industry standards for energy efficiency and management and to provide new products that provide improved insulation and reduce energy loss.