Benchmark Your Building
Energy benchmarking is the process of tracking a building’s energy and water usage. We examine your building’s utility, energy, and water data using ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager, which allows us to calculate key metrics including energy intensity and costs, water usage, and carbon emissions. The process takes just a few hours, and works with all building types. Within 5 days we’ll provide you with a building performance report, including a comparison against the national average for buildings of a similar type.
Our Benchmarking package includes:
-
One full year of Benchmarking Services*
-
5-year discount on benchmarking services
Our Benchmarking + package includes:
-
An ASHRAE Level 1 Audit and Report
-
One full year of Benchmarking Services*
-
5-year discount on benchmarking services
-
Installation of low-cost water and energy efficiency improvements including LED/CFL lighting, faucet aerators, and pipe insulation.
Receive an ENERGY STAR Rating
Your building may be eligible to receive an ENERGY STAR rating after benchmarking. The 1-100 scale rating demonstrates the energy efficiency of your building against its peers. For example, a rating of 50 indicates that your building’s energy performance is average when compared with similar buildings nationwide. Ratings in the top quartile (≥75) are eligible to earn the ENERGY STAR label. To receive the label the gross floor area of your building must be comprised of 50% or more of one of the following types of spaces:
|
• Financial Institution |
• Hotel |
• Multi-family Housing |
• Retail Store |
|
• Courthouse |
• K-12 School |
• Office |
• Supermarket |
|
• Hospital |
• Medical Office |
• Residence Hall |
• Warehouse |
Washington DC
The Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008 (CAEA) made benchmarking a requirement for all private buildings over 50,000 gross square feet in the District of Columbia. The requirement deadline has already passed for buildings over 100,000 ft.2, and will be required for buildings over 50,000 ft.2 as of April 1st, 2014. Consult the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) for rules regarding benchmarking.
Maryland
A 2012 analysis by the U.S. EPA of 35,000 buildings revealed an average energy reduction for benchmarked buildings of 7% from 2008 to 2011, with average annual energy savings of 2.4%. We recommend that all private and public Maryland buildings begin benchmarking. In Montgomery County, benchmarking is now required by law for non-residential privately owned buildings over 50,000 square feet. We are a Benchmarking Ambassador for the county, which means we can help you comply with the law.
Virginia
Counties and cities in Virginia have disparate rules and regulations regarding benchmarking. For example, Arlington has led the way, launching competitions for office buildings and property managers, encouraging businesses to benchmark their buildings.
*Up to 3 meters. Each additional meter is charged an additional $125/hr. In Maryland, Pepco Utility ratepayers with over 2 meters will be charged for additional meters, at $125/hr.
