Energy & Water Efficiency Benchmarking in 2023

What exactly is energy and water efficiency benchmarking? Simply put, energy benchmarking is a way of measuring how your properties use the all important resources of power and water, and also analyzing how their usage compares to other properties of similar size in the local geographic area. It also takes into consideration the historical performance of the building itself from an energy usage standpoint.

Obviously the goal is for the energy efficiency of the structure to be trending in a net positive direction. At the moment, many municipalities don’t require condos and co-ops to formally report their overall energy output. However, as new environmental regulations continue to be passed into law, all that could change – and you need to be ready.

Water efficiency benchmarking takes into account the amount of water you are using, and if you're using it at the right times. It can also address maintenance issues like plumbing or irrigation leaks. Landscaping can help control your energy output by cooling areas down with organic greenery, if it is less expensive to grow a tree into maturity than to continuously run an air conditioning unit, a lot of these things can be taken into account.

Why is benchmarking taking hold? Why Monitor Water Efficiency And Energy Output?

Mid-rise and high-rise buildings are coming under more scrutiny than ever before in relation to how they use energy. Energy conservation is becoming a higher priority for certain municipalities – especially those prone to droughts or power outages. Water efficiency is essentially important to have a mindset over because it is a limited resource that is being seen to have a trend of depletion with the current rates of urbanization and growth.

How is benchmarking reported?

Unfortunately, benchmarking isn’t just about filing a report once or twice a year and forgetting about it. Benchmarking regulations could allow prospective buyers a view of how your properties’ energy usage stacks up against the competition. And if they don’t like what they see, it’s “bye-bye” sale or rental agreement. Water efficiency and energy output is an important metric to monitor when preparing benchmarking reports.

Benchmarking doesn’t have to be your undoing

There are tons of ways to save energy – and win the benchmarking battle. Benchmarking is useful for state and local government property owners and facility operators, managers, and designers. The good news is that there are numerous ways to take benchmarking data and improve upon it month over month and year over year. One potential way to save energy and water is to increase the efficiency of your irrigation system. Smartrain technology can be an important arrow in the quiver of any aspiring benchmarking pro. Feel free to contact us or visit our website for more information today!