October Lunch Meeting

Energy & Auditing

Presented by: Chet Knaup, PE, LEED AP BD+C, BEMP
President – Spectrum Energy LLC & Mechanical Systems Testing & Balancing (MSTB)

As energy costs continue to evolve, understanding their long-term trends is essential for designing, operating, and maintaining efficient buildings. This session will begin by examining how energy costs have changed over the years and what we can anticipate in the near future.

We’ll then shift focus to energy audits, which often serve as the first step in addressing rising utility expenses. Attendees will gain a clear overview of the three ASHRAE Energy Audit levels, their unique benefits, and how to determine which level best fits a given project or facility.

Finally, we’ll explore the connection between rising energy costs and ECM payback periods, helping participants better evaluate the financial implications of their energy decisions.

Speaker Bio

Chet Knaup, PE, LEED AP BD+C, BEMP
Chet Knaup brings over 27 years of experience in mechanical design, energy modeling, sustainability, and manufacturing. As President of Spectrum Energy LLC and Mechanical Systems Testing & Balancing (MSTB), he has led projects across five continents and has been directly involved in more than 1,000 energy analysis projects.

Chet’s work has supported LEED and Passive House (PHIUS) certifications for numerous high-performance buildings. He is a Licensed Mechanical Engineer in Virginia, a LEED Accredited Professional, and an ASHRAE Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP). His career began in Portland, Oregon—one of the greenest cities in the U.S.—where his passion for innovative energy reduction strategies was formed.