Benchmarking

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the energy used by buildings in the United States is responsible for almost 40% of our national greenhouse gas emissions. Locally, we see an even bigger impact. In 2015, buildings accounted for 77% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the City of St. Louis (2015 GHG Inventory).

Given their contributions to regional and national greenhouse gas emissions, buildings have a significant role to play in the fight against climate change. By improving their energy efficiency, building owners and managers can reduce their environmental impacts while simultaneously lowering their utility bills.

According to the EPA, 30% of energy used in buildings is wasted through inefficiencies, and half of all energy savings are possible through low-cost or no-cost operational improvements. The first step to identifying these improvements and reducing the environmental impacts of our buildings is energy benchmarking!

What is Benchmarking?

Benchmarking is the process of tracking your building’s energy and/or water use and comparing your performance to similar buildings and to past performance. Benchmarking is the first step in determining how to conserve resources, reduce operating costs, and reduce environmental impacts.

 

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

Any building can use ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a free, online tool administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to benchmark their energy, water and waste performance. Thousands of facility owners and managers use the tool to assess how their properties are performing, adopt an energy management strategy, identify ways to save energy, cut costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, earn recognition, and communicate their energy-saving efforts to the public

Visit the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager website to create your account.

ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

 

City of St. Louis Building Energy Awareness Ordinance

In February 2017, Mayor Francis Slay signed the Building Energy Awareness Ordinance, which require municipal and private buildings over 50,000 square feet to track and report annual energy and water use. Private buildings are first required to comply by April 1, 2018, with annual compliance required each May 1 thereafter.

 There are some exemptions to the ordinance, such as buildings with low/no occupancy, manufacturing facilities, financial duress, and state and federal buildings.

Buildings that are not in compliance with the ordinance by their respective deadlines will not be eligible for issuance of new residential or commercial occupancy permits. Fines also apply.

To learn more about the Ordinance, visit www.stlbenchmarking.com

 

Benchmarking Training

USGBC-MGC is partnering with the City of St. Louis, BOMA St. Louis, Downtown STL Inc., and IFMA St. Louis to present several opportunities to learn more about the ordinance, how to comply, and how to benchmark energy and water use.

Event Descriptions

All events are free, but space is limited and registration is required via the links below.

Drop-in Benchmarking Help Sessions

Hands-on Help Session

Stop by our office during a drop-in session to receive hands-on help with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Attendees should bring a laptop and all information needed for benchmarking (list available via event links below).

Benchmarking 101

Presentation with Q&A

Benchmarking 101 will provide an overview of the City of St. Louis’s Building Energy Awareness Ordinance with step-by-step instructions on data collection, benchmarking in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, and reporting data to the City of St. Louis. Lunch is provided.

Benchmarking and Energy Efficiency Carousel

This interactive event will provide real details on how to save energy in buildings. Participants will circulate between quick presentations, gaining insight into numerous energy efficiency projects and financing solutions. This event is free, but registration is requested.

GPRO Operations & Maintenance Essentials

Two day in-depth training

Efficient operations and smart maintenance in buildings not only reduce operating costs by 20-50%, but increase occupancy rates and tenant satisfaction. Taught by industry experts, the two day GPRO Operations & Maintenance Essentials Course provides building professionals with the critical tools to transition from conventional to sustainable operations.

Training Schedule

Register using the links below.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018, 3-5 pm
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Wednesday, August 8, 2018, 3 – 5 pm
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Thursday, August 23, 2018, 4 – 6 pm
Benchmarking Jam

Wednesday, September 12, 2018, 9 – 11 am
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 3 – 5 pm
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Thursday, November 29, 2018, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Benchmarking 101 during Benchmarking Session of Midwest Building Energy Codes Conference

Tuesday, February 5, 2019, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Benchmarking 101

Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 3 – 5 pm
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 9 – 11 am
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Thursday, March 28, 8:00 – 1:00 am
Benchmarking & Energy Efficiency Carousel

Thursday, April 18, 2019, 9 – 11 am
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Thursday, May 16, 8:00 – 10:00 am
Benchmarking & Energy Efficiency Carousel

Wednesday, May 22 & Wednesday, May 29, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
GPRO Operations + Maintenance Essentials

Thursday, May 23, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Drop-In Benchmarking Help Session

Thursday, June 13, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Drop-In Benchmarking Help Session

Thursday, August 8 – Friday, August 9, 8:30 am – 4:0 pm
GPRO Operations + Maintenance Essentials

Wednesday, August 28, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Tuesday, September 24, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Tuesday, October 29, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Thursday, November 7, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Thursday, November 14 – Friday, November 15, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm both days
GPRO Operations + Maintenance Essentials

Thursday, December 17, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Drop-in Benchmarking Help Session

Better Buildings Through Benchmarking

All buildings benefit from energy and water benchmarking. Buildings not covered by the City of St. Louis’s Building Energy Awareness Ordinance are encouraged to sign on to the Better Buildings Through Benchmarking Pledge!

Over 80 organizations have pledged to benchmark their building energy use and annually share their performance with the High Performance Building Initiative.

See the list of Better Buildings Through Benchmarking Participants

Sign on to the Better Buildings Through Benchmarking Campaign

 

Benchmarking Resources

Energy Efficiency Resources