Is there evidence that consistent energy benchmarking improves the energy performance of a building?
Yes. In 2012, we conducted a landmark study among 35,000 buildings that had consistently measured and tracked their energy use for a period of at least three years. These organizations achieved average energy savings of 2.4 percent per year, and an average increase in the ENERGY STAR score of 2 points per year in their buildings. If all buildings in the U.S. followed a similar trend, more than 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents could be saved each year. Through 2020, the total savings could be approximately 25 percent.
While we can’t draw any definitive conclusions from the data, one can assume that a high rate of benchmarking activity is correlated with an active energy management program as well as good overall building management.
Answers provided by Lauren Hodges, director of communications, ENERGY STAR for Commercial Buildings & Industrial Plants, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Degree of Recognition of Energy Star and Portfolio Manager
Status of Update to CBECS Database
Benchmarking Improves Energy Performance
