Benchmarking 101

A benchmark is the reporting the use of water, waste and gas and/or electricity to LADBS for each month of the past calendar year.

It requires using the EPA’s ENERGY STAR software to input utility data, either manually or via a connection to LADWP, SoCal Gas, Edison or other utility companies.

ENERGY STAR then gives your building a score from 1-100. This score tells you whether your property is more or less efficient than other buildings in its class.

An accurate benchmark can be used as a source of data to get an exemption from LADBS’s Audit/RCx requirements or to obtain and ENERGY STAR label.

This graph shows a theoretical building's annual electricity usage for a whole year.

How is a benchmark done?

Utility data is entered into the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager software, either manually or via a remote connection to the utility.

  • On average, the process takes 5-10 hours over a few weeks. This can vary depending on a person’s tech savvy, if they have tenants, and how comfortable they are with utility data. Many opt to hire professionals to save time and stress.

  • This depends on the individual. We have found that the vast majority of building mangers and owners find the process confusing and stresseful, as it requires both tech literacy and a grasp of utility language.

  • It is free to submit the benchmark on your own. However, benchmarking companies charge relatively low rates for a guarantee of good data that can be used to guide decision making, get audit exemptions, or obtain an ENERGY STAR label.

A list of several buildings that have not yet complied with the EBEWE benchmark for 2023

An image from LADBS’s EBEWE Compliance Tracking Website showing buildings that have not yet filed their 2023 benchmark.

Benchmarking Benefits

Actionable Data

Utility benchmarking is a big part of understanding your building's energy use. You can't manage what you don't measure. Changes in benchmarks can show you whether equipment needs to be upgraded, if upgrades have paid off, or if unusual energy usage needs to be investigated.

Audit Exemptions

LADBS offers Audit/RCx exemptions for a number of reasons, including buildings that show a decrease in energy and/or water use. A history of accurate benchmarks can save you thousands of dollars, especially if you’ve been upgrading old equipment and using less electricity, gas, or water.

ENERGY STAR Labels

If your benchmark shows a score of 75 and above, you are eligible to apply for an ENERGY STAR Label. Not only does having a few years of ENERGY STAR Labels set you up for audit exemptions, buildings with ENERGY STAR Labels sell for more money, charge more in rent and get better loan terms. Your hard work taking care of your property is quantifiable and deserves recognition.

FAQs

  • Yes! ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager is a free software required to complete any benchmark. Both ENERGY STAR and LADBS have extensive documentation to help guide you through the process if you have the time and desire to perform your own benchmark.

  • The City of Los Angeles has energy goals they want to meet by 2050, and they need commercial properties to do their part.

  • That depends on how much time you have, how confident you are that you can perform the benchmark correctly, and if you are hoping recent equipment upgrades will get you an audit exemption. A company that has not done your benchmark is unlikely to trust the data, as their professional license is at stake in certifying the exemption with LADBS.

  • Contact LADBS EBEWE at ladbs.ebewe@lacity.org or (213)482-0476.