Just like your most efficient equipment, your building can earn ENERGY STAR® certification. The ENERGY STAR® label will prove to your patrons, employees, and community members that energy savings and sustainability is a top priority.
ENERGY STAR® certified buildings save energy dollars while reducing environmental impact. According to the ENERGY STAR® website, certified buildings use an average of 35 percent less energy, generate 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and cost less to operate.
To achieve ENERGY STAR® certification, your building must meet the strict energy performance standards outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To analyze your building’s current energy performance, utilize the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager tool to benchmark your building. Energy benchmarking is the practice of comparing a building’s current energy performance with its baseline performance or the energy performance of a similar building. Benchmarking improves stakeholder understanding of how the facility consumes energy, allowing individuals and organizations to better analyze trends and make better-informed decisions on managing energy use.
The benchmarking report will generate an ENERGY STAR® score between 1 and 100. This score considers operating conditions, regional weather data, and building usage. Only buildings with a score of 75 or higher are eligible to apply for certification. This score means that you perform better than at least 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide. Interested in applying for ENERGY STAR® certification? Here’s how.
1. Log in or set up your account with the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager tool
2. Access recent benchmarking records or start the benchmarking process
3. Locate your ENERGY STAR® score
4. If your score is 75 or higher, download your application through Portfolio Manager and input the necessary building information
5. The information submitted in the application must be certified by a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA).
Certifying your building as ENERGY STAR® is a smart business decision that will set your company or organization apart as an environmentally conscious. To learn more about ENERGY STAR® certification, contact 360 Energy Group. We have an expert staff available to assess your building’s energy usage, complete and submit your application, and verify your ENERGY STAR® project. Contact Project Manager, Bryan Tillman, at bryan@360eg.com or 773-236-8901 to get started.