Why Track and Benchmark Your Energy Use?

What is energy tracking, and why is it important?

Energy tracking is the process of recording utility usage and cost data over time. If you recently installed new insulation in your home and want to figure out how much energy and money you're saving, or if you want to see if that cool new thermostat is helping lower your heating bill, tracking utility data is the first step. Like we always say, you can't manage what you can't measure. 

Energy Benchmarking: saving energy, money, and time

The next step in assessing a building's overall performance is something called energy benchmarking. Energy benchmarking is the quantification and comparison of a building's energy performance againist other buildings in its peer group, based on a number of factors like climate zone, construction type, resident type, and heating fuels. This transperency gives building owners unique insight into their real estate portfolio by highlighting which buildings are preforming well and which are preforming poorly. With the new knowledge of which specific properties are draining energy and wasting money, owners can decide where to invest in retrofits and energy upgrades. 

Save yourself headaches down the road 

The number of cities and states implementing building energy benchmarking and disclosure laws is on the rise. Two states and nine cities have already adopted policies requiring benchmarking for large buildings and dozens more are actively considering similar policies. Energy tracking and benchmarking is here to stay, so don't get left in the dust! Tracking your utility usage history can not only help cut energy waste, but it makes budgeting utility expenditures for the next year straightforward and easy. So when a building ordinance policy comes to your city, you'll be prepared and ready to report!