Introduction

• Understanding Energy Benchmarking Ordinances

Energy benchmarking ordinances have become an essential tool for improving building energy efficiency as cities, towns and municipalities understand the significance of sustainability. Building owners and managers are obligated to comply with these ordinances in order to drive improvements in energy performance. Building owners and managers who wish to stay ahead in a cutthroat real estate market must now comprehend and abide by these rules.

• The Importance of Compliance

Energy compliance refers to the adherence to the rules and regulations set by the government and regulatory agencies. Following are a few benefits of energy compliance. 

Energy efficiency: There is a significant improvement in energy efficiency. A noticeable effect can be observed after the energy compliance. 

Reduced Operational Costs: Energy consultants mould the energy consumption in a way that a significant reduction in operational costs can be noticed. Utility and other bills are also reduced which helps in long term financial savings. 

Avoiding potential fines: Energy benchmarking consultants conduct energy audits and also examine the energy condition. It is imperative to fulfil all reporting obligations on time because failure to comply with them may result in penalties.

1. Understand the Requirements

First, we have to understand the requirements for the energy benchmarking ordinances. These requirements are listed below.

• Research Local Ordinances: 

Typically, energy benchmarking ordinances are established by the local government (city, country, or state). The rules set by the government may vary significantly by location. Finding out which buildings must abide by the rule, when they must do so, and what the consequences are for breaking it are crucial. Frequently, the website of your town or local government has this information.Firstly, finding out which local energy benchmarking ordinance applies to your facility should be considered. Depending on the building's size, location, and intended use, requirements may change. Some ordinances may be applied only to commercial buildings while others may be applied to commercial and residential both. The determination of the buildings that whether they comply with the ordinances is an important step. This information can often be found on your local government or municipality's website.

• Identify Required Data

Once you get the main idea of the requirements needed for the ordinance, the next step is the identification of the data you need to collect. Typically, energy benchmarking ordinances require the energy consumption related data such as electricity, gas and water bills. This also involves the duration of the period over which this data must be reported. And this duration is usually 12 months or around. Precise and comprehensive data should must be collected in order to collect the accurate energy efficiency score of your building. 

2. Conduct a Preliminary Energy Audit

A preliminary energy audit can help you in finding a clearer view of the current condition of the energy consumption of your building. 

• Assess Current Energy Use: 

Before starting the benchmarking process conduct an initial energy audit.This energy audit is considered as a crucial step as it helps consultants identify the inefficiencies of the system. This evaluation helps in understanding the internal condition of the system about how energy is consumed, the areas which are to be upgraded or measures that can be taken in consideration in order to improve the overall performance. An energy audit typically involves several segments like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting and insulation. Prior to providing benchmarking results, you can fix concerns by identifying inefficiencies early on.

• Gather Necessary Documentation 

Effective energy benchmarking and ensuring compliance with local legislation depend on gathering and organising all pertinent energy usage data and documentation. Precise information forms the basis for evaluating the energy efficiency of your building, enabling you to spot inefficiencies and monitor advancements over time. Following priorities should be considered.

Accurate Benchmarking Reports: Accurate and precise data of the energy consumption should be collected. This documentation includes meter readings for electricity, gas, and water and other utility bills which help you in finding the spots where energy is inefficient. 

Compliance with Ordinance Requirements: Energy benchmarking ordinances have some significant requirements which should be taken into consideration. These are:

1. Electricity, gas, and water consumption readings over a set period of time which is usually past 12 months.

2. Energy use intensity (EUI), which is the measure of energy per square foot.

3. In some cases, energy benchmarking consultants may also require GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions.

By gathering and organising energy usage data, you may expedite the benchmarking process, guarantee compliance, and position your building for continuous energy efficiency gains and cost savings.

3. Implement Energy Efficiency Measures

• Upgrade Equipment and Systems

Upgrading outdated HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), lighting, and other equipment before the benchmarking process is a crucial step. This process will help the energy benchmarking consultants to examine the inefficiencies of the system more perfectly. Noticeable effects can be observed after these upgrades as there is a cleaner and and a soother environment. Indoor air quality has also improved. 

Energy saving: Older systems and equipment consume more energy than the upgraded ones as they usually lack features that can optimize performance. Hence, a significant amount of energy can be saved by upgrading equipment and systems. Here are some replacements that can save energy.

HVAC systems: Upgrading HVAC systems reduces energy waste. updated  versions of air conditioners save energy and enhance the air quality. Ventilation systems upgrades will help in reducing bills as they will be energy efficient. Updated heating systems are designed with energy efficient technologies such as better heat exchange mechanisms. 

Lighting: Replacing lighting by LED bulbs can also save energy. LED bulbs are energy efficient and are a great upgrade in terms of energy efficiency and saving. this upgrade can save energy upto 70%

• Optimize Building Operations

Optimizing daily building operations is an essential step in optimizing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs. Even minimal investment in the system can have a big impact on energy consumption. Operational improvements can be achieved by several ways listed below:

Adjusting thermostats: Configure thermostats to change their own temperature on an occupancy basis. For example, boost comfort during peak hours and decrease heating or cooling during non-working hours.

Improving Insulation: By maintaining conditioned air inside the building and preventing outside air from influencing internal temperatures, effective insulation lowers the need for heating and cooling. 

Implementing energy-saving practices: By conducting regular energy audits, energy benchmarking consultants apply useful strategies according to the inefficiencies resulting from the examination. Energy consultants implement energy-saving practices for efficient energy consumption, improved environment, and cost reduction. 

4. Use Benchmarking Tools

• Choose the Right Software

The Environmental Protection Agency provides a popular tool which is specifically for energy benchmarking and is named as ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. This free program can help you monitor the water, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions over time. Using this program is advised or required for compliance with numerous local ordinances. Depending on the particular requirements of your building, you may also use additional certified technologies in addition to ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. These technologies offer insights into areas where performance can be improved in addition to making the reporting of energy data easier.

• Regular Monitoring

Following the entry of your building's data into a benchmarking program, it's critical to routinely check your energy consumption. This will assist you in monitoring any modifications to your consumption habits and locating areas where you may make improvements. Maintaining compliance with energy benchmarking rules is another benefit of routine monitoring, since several regulations call for annual or semi-annual reporting.

5. Prepare for Reporting

The final step after optimizing your building’s energy performance is to compile and submit your benchmarking report.

• Compile and Verify Data

Make sure that all necessary data has been correctly gathered and validated before submitting your energy benchmarking report. Make sure the reported data is verified and covers all the details including water, gas, and electricity consumption. The energy usage should also be a part of the report for an appropriate reporting period. Accurate data is crucial for benchmarking to avoid penalties and fines. 

• Submit on Time

Most energy benchmarking ordinances have strict deadlines for submission. If you fail to submit your benchmarking report on time, there could be fines or other repercussions. So that you can ensure that all of the data is submitted well in advance of the deadline, make notes for your group or yourself. Certain jurisdictions may also allow extensions, therefore it's important to request them in advance if needed.

Conclusion

• The Long-Term Benefits of Compliance

Getting your building ready for compliance with energy benchmarking ordinances has various long-term benefits. Improving the energy efficiency of your facility can reduce maintenance costs significantly, increase property value, and improve tenant happiness. Moreover, energy-efficient buildings usually attract more purchasers or tenants, giving you a competitive edge in the market. Compliance also contributes to environmental sustainability by lowering the carbon footprint of your building and coordinating your activities with more general energy saving objectives.

• Ongoing Commitment

Energy benchmarking ought to be seen as a continuous activity rather than a one-time assignment. Maintaining compliance and long-term advantages is ensured by routinely assessing the energy performance of your building and putting energy-saving solutions into practice. Maintaining compliance and cutting expenses will depend on your continued commitment to benchmarking and making improvements as laws change and energy efficiency standards get higher. Building owners and managers can provide their facilities a sustainable, economical, and energy-efficient future by adopting energy benchmarking as a regular practice.