Will AI replace Energy Auditors?

AI can do 70% of the work Energy Auditors do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 15 of them. Robots can technically handle 1 physical task. 5 still need a person.

AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.

AI could do this next15 · 70% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Prepare audit reports containing energy analysis results or recommendations for energy cost savings.14% of time
  • Calculate potential for energy savings.7% of time
  • Identify and prioritize energy-saving measures.7% of time
  • Collect and analyze field data related to energy usage.6% of time
  • Analyze energy bills, including utility rates or tariffs, to gather historical energy usage data.4% of time
  • Analyze technical feasibility of energy-saving measures, using knowledge of engineering, energy production, energy use, construction, maintenance, system operation, or process systems.4% of time
  • Educate customers on energy efficiency or answer questions on topics such as the costs of running household appliances or the selection of energy-efficient appliances.4% of time
  • Identify opportunities to improve the operation, maintenance, or energy efficiency of building or process systems.4% of time
  • Recommend energy-efficient technologies or alternate energy sources.4% of time
  • Determine patterns of building use to show annual or monthly needs for heating, cooling, lighting, or other energy needs.3% of time
  • Quantify energy consumption to establish baselines for energy use or need.3% of time
  • Prepare job specification sheets for home energy improvements, such as attic insulation, window retrofits, or heating system upgrades.3% of time
  • Identify any health or safety issues related to planned weatherization projects.3% of time
  • Compare existing energy consumption levels to normative data.1% of time
  • Verify income eligibility of participants in publicly financed weatherization programs.1% of time

Robots can technically do this1 · 4% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Measure energy usage with devices such as data loggers, universal data recorders, light meters, sling psychrometers, psychrometric charts, flue gas analyzers, amp probes, watt meters, volt meters, thermometers, or utility meters.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time

Still needs a person5 · 26% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Inspect or evaluate building envelopes, mechanical systems, electrical systems, or process systems to determine the energy consumption of each system.16% of time
  • Perform tests such as blower-door tests to locate air leaks.4% of time
  • Inspect newly installed energy-efficient equipment to ensure that it was installed properly and is performing according to specifications.3% of time
  • Oversee installation of equipment such as water heater wraps, pipe insulation, weatherstripping, door sweeps, or low-flow showerheads to improve energy efficiency.1% of time
  • Examine commercial sites to determine the feasibility of installing equipment that allows building management systems to reduce electricity consumption during peak demand periods.1% of time

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What this means

AI can do most of this work faster, but a real part of the job still needs a person. Real use is still behind at 0 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. The people who learn which tasks to hand off will pull ahead.

What to do next

  • Get ahead on the 15 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 1 physical task robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 5 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Construction and Building Inspectors40%Weatherization Installers and Technicians19%Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers13%Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners9%Segmental Pavers7%Fence Erectors5%

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