Benchmarking energy use is a first step
to assess energy performance and to measure ongoing progress.
to assess energy performance and to measure ongoing progress.
EPA's online tool Portfolio Manager enables building owners and managers to rate their individual commercial buildings on a scale of 1 to 100 against similar buildings, track energy performance over time, and target investments in energy efficiency.
States and local government agencies, professional associations, and vendors offer training, expertise, and networking opportunities to make benchmarking buildings easier for their constituents, and they are tapping into ENERGY STAR to accomplish this task.
This partnership has resulted in continued growth across the country, reflecting a 50% increase in rated floor space from over 7.5 billion square feet in 2007 to more than 11.5 billion square feet in 2008.
Regular Assessment Becoming SOP
About 60% of this space is being repeatedly rated for its energy use, which indicates that regular assessment is becoming a standard practice for many.
Benchmarking By Building Type
EPA's energy performance rating system is now available for 11 specific building space types that account for around 60% of the carbon emissions resulting from commercial buildings.
- Offices
- K-12 Schools
- Retail Stores
- Hospitals
- Hotels / Motels
- Supermarkets / Grocery Stores
- Banks / Financial Institutions
- Warehouses
- Medical Offices
- Courthouses
- Residence Halls / Dormitories
By building type, offices and schools experienced the largest increases in benchmarking in 2008. Offices close to doubled the number and floor space rated; rated schools increased by almost 80% with floor space almost doubling.
