Common Challenges in Benchmarking Compliance and How to Overcome Them

While the Better Buildings Benchmarking Program offers numerous benefits, building owners may encounter challenges during the compliance process. Here are some common issues and strategies to address them:​

1. Data Collection Difficulties

Gathering comprehensive and accurate utility data can be time-consuming, especially for buildings with multiple tenants or complex metering systems.​

Solution: Establish clear communication channels with tenants and utility providers. Utilize C&C’s auto-upload feature for electricity usage and email the Board of Water Supply and Hawaii Gas to obtain whole building water and gas usage, respectively.​

2. Understanding Portfolio Manager

The ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager is a robust tool, but new users may find it complex.​

Solution: Take advantage of training resources and how-to guides provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the City’s Resilience Office to become proficient in using the platform.​

3. Ensuring Data Accuracy

Inaccurate data can lead to misleading benchmarking results and potential non-compliance.​

Solution: Implement internal checks to verify data before submission. In addition, EnergyStar Portfolio Manager has a Data Quality Control Checker on the Summary tab of your building that will help identify errors in your benchmarking report. It does not catch all errors, but it does help find them. There are times when it provides warnings. These warnings may indicate an error in your data, but it might just be that your building is different from its peers.

4. Meeting Deadlines

With phased deadlines based on building size, it's crucial to stay informed about your specific reporting timeline.​

Solution: Mark compliance deadlines on your calendar and set reminders well in advance. Consider working with a consultant to manage the process and ensure timely submission.

By proactively addressing these challenges, building owners can navigate the benchmarking process more effectively, leading to improved building performance and compliance with local regulations.

For personalized assistance with benchmarking compliance, please contact Hong Consulting, LLC at adrianhong@hongconsultingllc.com.