Measuring and tracking building performance offers multiple opportunities to lower energy use. A recent report released by the City of Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment reveals that Seattle’s benchmarked buildings are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving money, and improving performance. Highlights of the report include:
- Buildings reporting three or more consecutive years of data have reduced overall energy consumption by 3.7% and greenhouse gas emissions by 4.8%
- The median ENERGY STAR score for all buildings has increased by seven points, or 10%
- The Energy Benchmarking Program has added 136 buildings and nearly 43 million square feet of benchmarked space, as Seattle’s construction boom has continued
Seattle’s Energy Benchmarking ordinance requires owners of commercial and multifamily buildings 20,000 square feet and larger to track their energy performance and report it annually to the City of Seattle. While benchmarked buildings have reduced emissions and saved energy, the City’s building boom means more savings are needed to meet the City’s ambitious climate goals.
Interested in how your building stacks up? Visit www.seattle.gov/energybenchmarkingmap.