How to Benchmark compliance in your building to save energy and money

 

If you own a commercial building, you know how expensive it can be to maintain and operate it. One of the biggest expenses is energy usage, which can add up quickly if your building is not energy-efficient. To address this issue, building owners and managers have started to use a process called benchmarking to measure their energy use and identify areas for improvement. In this article, we will explore benchmark compliance, why it's important, and how you can use it to save energy and money.

What is Benchmarking?

Benchmarking is a process that compares the energy usage of your building to other similar buildings. It allows you to identify areas where your building is using more energy than it should be and to make changes to reduce energy consumption. Benchmarking can also help you track energy usage over time and evaluate the effectiveness of energy-saving measures.

Why is Benchmarking Important?

Benchmarking is important for several reasons. First, it can help you save money by identifying areas where you can reduce energy usage. Second, it can help you comply with local energy regulations and avoid penalties. Third, benchmarking can help you improve the comfort and health of your building occupants by reducing indoor pollutants and improving temperature control. Finally, benchmarking can help you demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and attract environmentally conscious tenants.

How to Benchmark Your Building for Compliance

Collect Data

The first step in benchmarking is to collect data about your building's energy usage. This can be done by gathering utility bills, meter readings, and other information about your building's energy consumption. You should also gather information about your building's size, occupancy, and other factors that could affect energy usage.

Use Benchmarking Tools

Once you have collected your data, you can use benchmarking tools to compare your building's energy usage to other similar buildings. The most common benchmarking tool is the Energy Star Portfolio Manager, which allows you to compare your building's energy usage to a national database of similar buildings.

Analyze Results

After you have compared your building's energy usage to others, you can analyze the results to identify areas for improvement. You can use this information to develop a plan to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency.

Strategies to Improve Energy Efficiency

There are several strategies you can use to improve energy efficiency in your building. These include:

Lighting Upgrades

Upgrading your lighting to energy-efficient bulbs and fixtures can reduce energy usage and save money.

HVAC Upgrades

Upgrading your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.

Building Automation Systems

Installing a building automation system (BAS) can help you control and monitor your building's energy usage and identify areas for improvement.

Behavior Changes

Encouraging behavior changes among building occupants, such as turning off lights when leaving a room or shutting down computers at the end of the day, can also reduce energy usage.

Benefits of Benchmarking for Compliance

There are several benefits of benchmarking for compliance. First, it can help you comply with local energy regulations and avoid penalties. Second, benchmarking can help you identify opportunities to save energy and money, which can improve your bottom line. Third, it can help you improve the comfort and health of your building occupants by reducing indoor pollutants and improving temperature control. Finally, benchmarking can help you demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and attract environmentally conscious tenants.

Challenges and Solutions for Benchmarking

While benchmarking can be a useful tool, it is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is collecting accurate data, as energy usage can be influenced by factors outside of your control, such as weather patterns or changes in occupancy. Additionally, some building owners and managers may be resistant to making changes to their building's operations or investing in upgrades.

To address these challenges, it is important to work with a qualified energy consultant who can help you collect accurate data, analyze results, and develop an actionable plan for improving energy efficiency. Additionally, you can engage your building occupants and stakeholders to create buy-in for energy-saving measures and encourage behavior changes that can help reduce energy usage.

The Future of Benchmarking for Compliance

As the push for sustainability and energy efficiency continues to grow, benchmarking is likely to become even more important for building owners and managers. In some areas, benchmarking is already mandatory, and it is likely that more cities and states will adopt similar regulations in the coming years.

Additionally, the rise of smart building technology is making it easier than ever to collect and analyze data on energy usage, which can help building owners and managers make more informed decisions about energy efficiency and sustainability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, benchmarking is a powerful tool that can help building owners and managers save energy, reduce costs, and improve the comfort and health of their building occupants. By collecting accurate data, using benchmarking tools, and implementing strategies to improve energy efficiency, you can reduce your building's environmental impact and improve your bottom line.