Measure.
Improve.
What is ENERGY STAR® Benchmarking?
ENERGY STAR® benchmarking is a free, powerful tool from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that allows building owners and managers to measure and track energy and water performance over time.
It’s used to evaluate your building’s efficiency, compare performance to similar buildings, identify improvement opportunities, and meet local benchmarking requirements.
U.S. Commercial Building Energy Benchmarking and Transparency Policies
Check the list in the linked PDF below to see if your building falls under any local / state compliance requirements. Contact us if you would like help adhering to any of these ordinances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ENERGY STAR® benchmarking?
ENERGY STAR benchmarking is the process of tracking a building’s energy use and comparing it to similar buildings using benchmark metrics — typically through EPA’s free Portfolio Manager tool. It helps you assess performance relative to peers and identify opportunities to reduce energy waste and operating costs.
How does the ENERGY STAR® Score work?
The ENERGY STAR Score is a 1–100 metric that shows how your building’s energy performance compares to similar buildings nationwide. A score of 50 means average performance, while a score of 75 or higher indicates top performance and potential eligibility for ENERGY STAR certification.
Who needs to benchmark their building?
Many cities and states across North America have benchmarking ordinances requiring owners of certain-sized properties to report energy (and sometimes water) use annually. We can help determine if your building falls under a local or state requirement.
What data do I need to start benchmarking?
At minimum, you need a building’s gross floor area and 12 months of energy usage data (e.g., utility bills) to generate basic benchmark metrics in Portfolio Manager. Additional property details may be required to receive an ENERGY STAR Score.
Can benchmarking help reduce energy costs?
Yes. Benchmarking reveals where energy use is higher than peer buildings, helping you target improvements that reduce consumption, operating expenses, and emissions.
How often should I update my benchmarking data?
Most ordinances require annual reporting, but updating data more frequently (e.g., quarterly) can help you monitor performance trends and measure the impact of efficiency projects.