Measuring and benchmarking key performance indicators is critical to an effective continuous improvement process. Energy performance is a significant indicator of asset performance, and along with other sustainability and financial key performance indicators can help get the most benefit from the building or portfolio with the least environmental impact and cost. Benchmarking compares buildings with similar characteristics. ArchEcology works with building operators to establish an energy management plan that improves the performance of the building over time.

ENERGY STAR Certification is one of the programs often used to assess and benchmark an existing building’s performance. It uses Energy Star Portfolio Manager, hosted by the US Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy, to verify building energy use along with several on-site performance tests to verify indoor environmental quality.

Energy audits provide a cost effective, common sense approach to assessing a building’s energy consumption. They can be performed at three different “levels” of detailed analysis; each level building on the data and analysis of the previous effort.

Energy audits can be an effective way to address energy performance but do not address other building performance goals like operational best practices, staff education, water use, indoor environmental quality or benchmarking.

The Clean Building Act has established requirements for commercial and multifamily residential building performance. The Tune-Up program was developed to help owners assess their building’s ability to meet those targets. ArchEcology is a registered provider who can help a building owner secure financial incentives and complete the requirements; lock in compliance until the 2025/26 renewal cycle; and identify additional incentive programs to target more extensive improvements such as lighting or HVAC upgrades.

Many Measurement & Verification plans are established for buildings during the design and construction process. Design phase energy modeling can be calibrated to measure and verify the actual energy performance of the building after occupancy. Energy Analysts use many assumptions about occupancy, use and weather patterns to estimate future annual use. Once occupied with a year of utility bills, that energy model can be refined to reflect the actual energy usage, occupancy and weather conditions experienced over the course of the year. That refined information and calibrated energy model can then be used year over year as a baseline to measure building performance.