A review of a given customer's energy usage patterns. Energy audits may be conducted to figure out billing schedules for a new customer, discover any special requirements, or uncover ways in which the customer can reduce energy needs. Energy audits may be conducted by the customer or by the utility providing energy to that customer. These audits are conducted mainly for commercial and institutional customers, but high energy costs have spawned a cottage industry of private consultants and auditing firms who provide energy audits for small commercial customers and individual households.