How to Find an Energy Auditor in Atlanta: What to Look for in 2026

July 8, 2026

If your building is subject to the City of Atlanta's Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance (CBEEO) — or you're planning ahead for when it will be — you'll need to hire a qualified energy auditor to complete your assessment. But "energy auditor" isn't a protected title, and the quality, cost, and compliance-readiness of the work varies a lot between firms. Here's what actually matters when you're vetting one.

1. Confirm They're Qualified to Perform a Compliant Assessment

CBEEO energy assessments must be completed by a licensed professional. Ask directly:

Are you a licensed Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), or hold an equivalent recognized credential?
Have you personally performed ASHRAE Level II assessments, or is that work subcontracted out?

A firm that can't answer this clearly, or that's vague about who on their team actually holds the credential doing the work, is a red flag.

2. Ask About Atlanta-Specific Experience, Not Just General Energy Audits

Plenty of firms perform energy audits nationally, but Atlanta's ordinance has its own quirks: a 25,000 sq ft size threshold, compliance deadlines tied to your building's Atlanta Building ID (ABID), and a specific portal required for submission. An auditor who's done this specifically for Atlanta buildings will move faster and avoid mistakes that a generalist might make on their first attempt with the ordinance.

Ask: How many CBEEO assessments have you completed, and can you walk me through the submission process?

3. Check Whether They Specialize in Your Building Type

A high-rise office tower, an industrial facility, and a mid-rise condominium building all have very different systems, and the audit process reflects that. If you manage a condo or multifamily association specifically, ask whether the auditor has experience with:

Distinguishing owner-controlled base building systems from tenant- or unit-owned equipment
Homeowner association governance and how recommendations get communicated to a board
The specific system types common in multifamily buildings, like dedicated outdoor air systems, water-source heat pumps, split-system heat pumps, or domestic water booster pumps.

A firm that mostly works with large commercial office towers may not be as calibrated to condo association needs — and vice versa.

4. Understand Their Pricing Model

Most firms quote a per-square-foot rate, but that number alone doesn't tell you much — the real question is what's driving the price for your specific building. Ask for a breakdown of what's included (site visit, report depth, submission to the city, a stakeholder review meeting) rather than just a flat number. (We've written a full breakdown of what actually drives commercial energy audit pricing if you want to dig into this further before you get quotes.)

5. Ask What Happens After the Report Is Delivered

A good auditor doesn't just hand you a PDF. Ask:

Do you submit the report to the city on my behalf?
Will you walk through the findings with my management team or ownership?
Can you help evaluate exemption pathways if my building qualifies for one?

6. Ask for Real Examples

Any firm can claim experience — ask for specifics: how many buildings they've audited, total square footage, or a couple of recent project examples (with client permission, since specific project details are often confidential). A firm that can speak concretely about real projects is a better sign than one relying on generic language.

A Quick Checklist

Licensed PE, CEM, or equivalent credential on the team
Direct experience with CBEEO submissions specifically
Familiarity with your building type (especially if multifamily/condo)
Clear, itemized pricing — not just a flat per-square-foot number
Support through submission and stakeholder review, not just report delivery
Verifiable track record

Our Take

At Verdius, our audits are led by a licensed PE and Certified Energy Manager with over a decade of energy audit experience, and the majority of our work is for multifamily and condominium associations. If you'd like to see whether we're a fit for your building, request a proposal or reach out at info@verdiusenergy.com / (470) 673-8990.

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