Benchmarking – California AB 802

Benchmarking – California AB 802

California’s AB 802 requires building owners of “disclosable” non-residential buildings over 50,000 gross square feet to annually report building characteristics and energy use data to the California Energy Commission (CEC) by June 1, starting in 2018. For “disclosable” residential buildings over 50,000 gross square feet with 17 or more residential utility accounts, annual reporting is due by June 1, beginning in 2019. The reporting must be completed using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a free online tool provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Failure to comply with this regulation may result in a lien on the property.

Additionally, cities such as San Francisco, Berkeley, and Los Angeles have local benchmarking and public disclosure programs that exceed the requirements of the state program.

Commercial Building Energy Audits – ASHRAE Standards

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) defines energy audits at three levels, providing building owners and operators with a structured approach to energy management. These audits identify areas for energy savings and provide a roadmap to implement energy conservation measures (ECMs).

The primary purposes of an energy audit are to:

Establish an energy consumption baseline.
Quantify energy usage by equipment or building function.
Benchmark (compare) energy use against similar facilities, considering use type, size, and climate.
Identify low-cost/no-cost energy conservation measures (ECMs).
Identify potential capital investment-grade ECMs for further feasibility analysis.

ASHRAE Level I – Walk-Through Analysis/Preliminary Audit
A Level I audit is the most basic form of energy audit. It involves a walk-through of the building to identify obvious energy inefficiencies and provides a report outlining low-cost or no-cost ECMs. While this level of audit is sufficient for identifying immediate, low-hanging fruit, it lacks the detailed analysis required for capital-intensive energy efficiency investments.

ASHRAE Level II – Energy Survey and Analysis
A Level II audit builds upon a Level I audit by incorporating more detailed energy calculations and a financial analysis of proposed ECMs. This audit provides a customized package of ECMs tailored to the building’s specific needs and operations. It includes site-specific operating costs, estimated implementation costs, and a strategy for ECM implementation based on customer investment criteria.

ASHRAE Level III – Detailed Analysis of Capital-Intensive Modifications
A Level III audit is a detailed analysis focused on capital-intensive projects identified in Level II. It requires additional data gathering, including computer modeling and sub-metering of target energy systems. The feasibility analysis includes actual utility usage profiles, equipment quotes from reputable suppliers, and labor cost quotes from experienced installers to support capital investment decisions.