Utility Benchmarking

Utility benchmarking is the process of tracking, analyzing, and reporting the costs and consumption associated with a property. This information is then used to compare to similar properties for the purpose of identifying potential improvements. Changes in performance are tracked over time. Utility benchmarking is a fundamental part of a residential asset management program.

Read HUD’s Energy Star Data Trendsopens PDF file

 Benefits of Utility Benchmarking

If you’re wondering if utility benchmarking applies to you, here are the current requirements:

If you own multifamily property in California, you may be required to benchmark. Starting June 1, 2019, multifamily buildings with more than 50,000 square feet of gross floor area, and properties with more than seventeen residential meters are required to benchmark their utilities.

Utility benchmarking started in Austin, Texas, in 2008, for properties with 5+ units. Since then, many other cities have added a requirement for benchmarking:

• Atlanta, 25,000 square feet
• Berkeley, 50,000 square feet
• Boston, 35,000 square feet or 35 units
• Cambridge, 49 units
• Chicago, 50,000 square feet
• Denver, 50,000 square feet
• Evanston, 100,000 square feet
• Kansas City, 100,000 square feet
• Los Angeles, 100,000 square feet
• New York, 50,000 square feet
• Orlando, 50,000 square feet
• Philadelphia, 50,000 square feet
• Portland, ME, 50+ units
• Seattle, 5+ units
• South Portland, ME, 10+ units
• St. Louis, 50,000 units
• Washington, DC, 50,000 square feet

You can find more information on California’s benchmarking regulations at the opens in a new windowCalifornia Energy Commission.

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