Energy Benchmarking

Energy benchmarking is the practice of measuring and comparing a building’s energy consumption over time and against similar buildings. In California, benchmarking isn’t just a smart choice – it’s required by law.

California’s Assembly Bill 802 (AB 802) mandates that owners of large commercial and multifamily buildings (generally over 50,000 sq. ft.) report their energy usage to the California Energy Commission annually by June 1.

Similarly, the City of Los Angeles enforces its Existing Buildings Energy & Water Efficiency (EBEWE) ordinance, which requires annual energy and water benchmarking for buildings over 20,000 sq. ft., along with audits or retro-commissioning every five years.

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Fill out the Energy Benchmarking Service Form and we will send you a proposal to meet your benchmarking needs.

EcoSmart Makes Compliance Easy

Navigating these regulations can be complex – and that’s where we comes in. We make compliance with AB 802 and EBEWE simple and stress-free. Our comprehensive Benchmarking Services include:

• Collecting data directly from utilities (when available)
• Analyzing building energy usage
• Submitting all required reports to the appropriate agencies

Using the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager – the industry-standard benchmarking tool – we track your building’s electricity and gas usage to calculate key performance metrics like the ENERGY STAR score. Our experts ensure your data is accurate and submitted on time, helping you avoid costly penalties and public non-compliance listings. Plus, we stay up to date on reporting requirements so you don’t have to.

Why Benchmark? The Benefits Are Clear

• Regulatory Compliance: Stay fully compliant with state and local laws (like AB 802 and EBEWE) and avoid fines by ensuring your energy usage is reported each year. We handles it all with minimal effort on your part.
• Performance Insights: Benchmarking shows how your building performs compared to similar properties. This helps identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
• Energy Savings: Monitoring usage over time helps reveal trends and spikes in consumption. This data can guide decisions about energy-saving upgrades like lighting and HVAC improvements.
• Financial and Marketing Advantages: More efficient buildings typically have lower utility bills and higher net operating income. Benchmarking can boost occupancy rates, support sustainability reporting, and even lead to ENERGY STAR certification – increasing your building’s market appeal.

Our Process

When you partner with EcoSmart for energy benchmarking, we handle everything:

1. Information Gathering: We collect basic property details and monthly utility data. If needed, we work with utility providers to obtain whole-building usage data.
2. Data Analysis: Your data is entered and analyzed in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to calculate metrics like energy use intensity and the ENERGY STAR score.
3. Report Submission: We prepare and submit all required benchmarking reports to the California Energy Commission and, if applicable, to the City of Los Angeles.
4. Summary and Recommendations: You receive a clear summary of your results and our insights. If performance issues are found, we can recommend next steps, such as conducting a full energy audit.

With EcoSmart managing your energy benchmarking, you can rest easy knowing you’re compliant and equipped with the knowledge to boost your building’s energy performance and long-term value.