Compliance
Energy Benchmarking
Definition
The practice of measuring and tracking a building's energy performance over time and comparing it against similar buildings or industry standards. Many cities and states mandate annual energy benchmarking for commercial buildings above certain size thresholds, with results disclosed publicly.
Why It Matters for Your Business
Benchmarking creates accountability, identifies outlier buildings consuming excess energy, and enables portfolio-level performance management. Cities with mandatory benchmarking programs (New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles) use the data to target enforcement of building performance standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cities require commercial energy benchmarking?
Over 50 U.S. cities have mandatory benchmarking ordinances, including New York City, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. Requirements vary by building size (typically 20,000–50,000 sq ft minimum).
What tool is used for benchmarking?
EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the standard tool used in virtually all mandatory benchmarking programs. It calculates ENERGY STAR scores and EUI metrics from utility bill data.