Is your organisation legally required to carry out an energy audit every four years? TEA delivers fully compliant SI 426 audits and comprehensive Investment Grade Audits that go beyond box-ticking, giving you the data to act, invest, and save.
Legal Obligation
The EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) requires large enterprises and qualifying public sector buildings to undergo a structured energy audit every four years. In Ireland this statutory programme is known as the Energy Auditing Scheme (EAS), and it is given force in domestic law by SI 426 of 2014, as amended by SI 646 of 2016 and SI 599 of 2019.
The audit covers at least 85% of an organisation's total energy consumption across buildings, industrial processes, and transport. Findings must be reported to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Non-compliance carries legal risk, and SEAI is increasingly active in enforcement.
Full minimum criteria are available in the SEAI Minimum Criteria document (PDF).
Schools (Limited Exemption) : A school is only exempt if BOTH conditions are met: (1) it has provided energy data to SEAI through the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism; AND (2) SEAI is satisfied that the school is pro-actively engaged in exemplar energy management.
Scope of Work
A compliant SI 426 energy audit is far more than a data-collection exercise. It provides a structured assessment of where and how energy is used, the key drivers of consumption and a prioritised set of cost-effective improvement recommendations.
Heating, cooling, ventilation, hot water, lighting and building fabric assessed against best-practice benchmarks.
Process heat, compressed air, motors, drives and production equipment reviewed for efficiency losses and upgrade opportunities.
Fleet fuel consumption and transport energy use, covering fuel purchased in the Republic of Ireland.
A formal report documenting findings, savings opportunities, estimated costs and payback periods, ready for SEAI submission.
Beyond Compliance
An Investment Grade Audit (IGA), also known as a Type 3 or Level 3 energy audit goes significantly beyond the SI 426 standard. Where the standard audit satisfies your legal obligation, an IGA provides the rigorous technical and financial analysis that building owners, finance providers, and senior decision-makers need to confidently commit to capital investment.
The IGA builds a calibrated energy model of your building using real measured data, then evaluates each potential energy conservation measure (ECM) in depth, from LED lighting and HVAC optimisation to building envelope improvements and renewable energy systems with detailed cost, savings, payback, and risk assessment for each measure.
| Feature | SI 426 Audit | Investment Grade Audit |
|---|---|---|
| Legal requirement | Yes, every 4 years | Optional (recommended) |
| Energy use assessment | Min. 85% of consumption | 100% - deep system-by-system |
| Costing of measures | Indicative estimates | Fully costed retrofit options |
| Financial modelling | Basic payback | Life-cycle cost, NPV, IRR |
| Risk assessment | Not required | Detailed uncertainty analysis |
| Energy modelling | Simplified | Calibrated dynamic model |
| Suitable for finance / EPC | No | Yes, banks & ESCOs |
| SEAI grant / funding support | Compliance only | Foundation for grant applications |
When is an IGA the right choice? An IGA is particularly valuable when planning a significant retrofit or capital programme; seeking external finance or a green loan; entering an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) with an ESCO; or applying for SEAI deep retrofit or public sector funding.
Our Approach
Our auditors are registered with SEAI and hold Certified Energy Manager (CEM) qualifications, meeting all statutory requirements. Here is what to expect when you work with us.
We confirm your compliance status, establish the scope (buildings, processes, fleet) and identify any existing data or previous audits we can build on.
Our team gathers utility bills, metering data, equipment schedules, and floor plans, then carries out a detailed on-site walkthrough of all energy systems.
We analyse energy consumption patterns, benchmark against comparable facilities and for IGAs, build a calibrated energy model to test retrofit scenarios.
You receive a clear, prioritised report covering no-cost quick wins, medium-term improvements and capital investment options — each with costs, savings, and payback.
We prepare and submit the statutory report to SEAI on your behalf, and can support you in implementing recommendations and accessing available grants.
Why Choose TEA
Tipperary Energy Agency is a not-for-profit social enterprise founded in 1998. We have been at the forefront of energy efficiency and retrofit in Ireland ever since, working with local authorities, communities, businesses, and the public sector across the country.
Over two decades supporting Ireland's transition to sustainable energy use.
Successfully completed more than 40 national and EU research and demonstration projects.
Helped Tipperary County Council alone achieve over €1.4 million in energy cost savings.
Our auditors are SEAI-registered Certified Energy Managers (CEMs), meeting all statutory requirements under SI 426.
Common Questions
SI 426 is a legal requirement. SEAI has been increasingly active in pursuing compliance, and large enterprises are now required to notify SEAI of their compliance status. Non-compliant organisations face legal exposure and reputational risk. Contact us for a free obligation check.
Yes. Organisations holding a certified ISO 50001 system covering at least 85% of total energy use are considered to have met the SI 426 obligation, provided it is subject to independent third-party certification. TEA can advise on whether your current certification qualifies.
For a typical mid-sized enterprise or public sector building, the process from scoping to final report takes between four and eight weeks. An Investment Grade Audit for a larger or more complex site may take longer.
An SI 426 audit satisfies your statutory compliance obligation. An IGA goes further, providing fully costed, financially modelled and risk-assessed retrofit options that support investment decisions, green finance applications and Energy Performance Contracts.
Yes. The SI 426 audit must cover at least 85% of total energy consumption, including buildings, industrial processes, and transport. Where actual data is unavailable, verified estimates based on kilometres travelled and average fuel consumption may be used.
Absolutely. Our team can support you in identifying and applying for relevant SEAI grant schemes, green finance products and retrofit funding programmes to help implement the recommendations identified in your audit.
Whether you need to meet your SI 426 legal requirement, or want an Investment Grade Audit to unlock your next retrofit project, our team is here to help. Get in touch today for a no-obligation conversation.