Top 10 Best Commercial Energy Audit Software of 2026

TRACE 3D Plus, developed by Trane Technologies, is a comprehensive whole-building energy simulation software tailored for commercial energy audits and HVAC system design. It enables users to model complex building systems, predict energy consumption, and evaluate energy conservation measures with hourly resolution. The tool supports standards like ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC, providing detailed reports for audits, retrofits, and code compliance.

Carrier's Hourly Analysis Program (HAP) is a robust engineering software designed for detailed hourly simulations of commercial building energy performance, including heating/cooling loads, HVAC system sizing, and annual energy cost estimates. It supports comprehensive energy audits by modeling whole-building interactions, weather data integration, and compliance with standards like ASHRAE 90.1. HAP is widely used by HVAC professionals for design validation and retrofit analysis in commercial settings.

eQUEST is a free, advanced building energy simulation software based on the DOE-2.2 engine, designed for modeling hourly energy performance in commercial buildings. It enables users to create detailed simulations for new designs, retrofits, and energy audits, supporting compliance with standards like ASHRAE 90.1 and Title 24. The tool's CHEETAH wizards simplify input for whole-building analysis, making it suitable for evaluating energy savings measures.

EnergyPlus is a state-of-the-art, open-source whole-building energy simulation program developed by the U.S. Department of Energy for modeling energy consumption, HVAC systems, lighting, and indoor air quality in commercial buildings. It excels in detailed, hourly simulations for energy audits, retrofitting analysis, and performance verification, supporting complex geometries and systems. While powerful for precise predictions, it is best leveraged by experts rather than for rapid audits.

OpenStudio is an open-source cross-platform software suite for whole-building energy modeling, leveraging the EnergyPlus simulation engine to create detailed 3D models and predict energy performance. It supports commercial energy audits by enabling simulations for retrofits, code compliance, and optimization of HVAC, lighting, and envelope systems. Users can apply parametric analyses and custom measures to evaluate energy savings opportunities accurately.

DesignBuilder is a powerful building performance simulation software with an intuitive 3D graphical interface built on the EnergyPlus engine, enabling detailed dynamic modeling of energy use, thermal comfort, daylighting, and airflow in commercial buildings. It supports energy audits by allowing users to import existing geometries, simulate retrofits, and generate compliance reports for standards like ASHRAE 90.1 or LEED. The tool excels in whole-building analysis, helping identify inefficiencies in HVAC, lighting, and envelope performance to recommend cost-effective upgrades.

IES Virtual Environment (IESVE) is a comprehensive building performance simulation suite used for modeling energy use, thermal performance, daylighting, airflow, and HVAC systems in commercial buildings. It supports detailed energy audits by comparing simulated 'as-built' performance against actual data to identify inefficiencies and optimization opportunities. The software integrates multiple analysis tools within a single modeling environment, aiding compliance with standards like ASHRAE and LEED.

RETScreen Expert, developed by Natural Resources Canada, is a free cloud-based software suite designed for clean energy project analysis, including energy efficiency, renewables, and cogeneration feasibility studies. It enables users to model building energy performance, benchmark against standards, and assess financial, environmental, and risk metrics for commercial facilities. While versatile for preliminary audits, it excels in high-level screening rather than detailed, meter-based energy audits.

AURORA from White Box Technologies (wbtech.com) is a powerful whole-building energy simulation software based on the DOE-2 engine, tailored for commercial energy modeling and audits. It enables detailed analysis of HVAC, lighting, envelopes, and renewables to baseline existing buildings, predict retrofit savings, and ensure code compliance like ASHRAE 90.1 or Title 24. Ideal for retro-commissioning and performance-based audits, it supports export to reports and integrates with BIM tools for accurate simulations.

EnergyPro is a specialized energy modeling software from EnergySoft, primarily designed for California Title 24 energy code compliance in both residential and nonresidential buildings. It enables detailed whole-building simulations for HVAC, lighting, envelopes, and renewables, generating accurate compliance reports and permit documentation. While powerful for regulatory audits, it focuses heavily on California standards, making it a niche tool for energy professionals in that market.