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Enhance Existing Programs with ENERGY STAR — Commercial Programs

Integrate ENERGY STAR into your on-going and future energy programs with tools and resources that encourage continuous improvement and the whole building approach to energy upgrades.

  • Assess and improve building energy performance by rating buildings, making a financial case for energy efficiency, prioritizing upgrades, and tracking energy performance over time.
    • EXAMPLE: NSTAR Exit ENERGY STAR, a Massachusetts electric and gas utility, assists its customers in identifying improvements within their facilities by providing useful information on benchmarking through ENERGY STAR.
  • Provide building owners and managers with easy-to-use, freely available tools and the Guidelines for Energy Management to help them accomplish energy savings goals.
  • Expedite the decision making process for funding considerations and prioritize building upgrade recipients.
    • EXAMPLE: The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and regional utilities are piloting a Building Performance Services Initiative in the Pacific Northwest. Included in the pilot will be operations and maintenance evaluation and commissioning. Portfolio Manager may be used to determine which buildings present the greatest need.
    • EXAMPLE: Xcel Energy uses Portfolio Manager in its Recommissioning Program in Minnesota to evaluate grant applicants.
    • EXAMPLE: In the State of Indiana's Building Energy Efficiency Programs Exit ENERGY STAR, small businesses qualify for a free audit if they agree to become an ENERGY STAR partner.
  • Increase the general understanding of current energy use through energy benchmarking and promote the adoption of activities that save energy and money in your region.
    • EXAMPLE: California's Flex Your Power Exit ENERGY STAR campaign provides information to commercial energy users about the current state of energy in the state, offers low- to no-cost tips to save and encourages rating buildings with ENERGY STAR.
  • Raise the profile of your organization's energy activities by using the ENERGY STAR name and logo and reach out to individual building owners, local governments and other organizations.
  • Conduct or sponsor training and education programs that introduce energy efficiency tools, technology, and management strategies.
    • Use on-line trainings to tutor clients in ENERGY STAR tools.
    • Customize ENERGY STAR presentations for client meetings.
    • Offer conferences, workshops and training sessions to present continuous improvement strategies through ENERGY STAR.
    • EXAMPLE: New Hampshire Governor's Office of Energy and Community held a one-day ENERGY STAR conference for residential builders, architects, engineers, commercial and industrial facility operators, school officials, building managers, and procurement officials to learn about ENERGY STAR.
  • Work with local networks of architects, engineers, and building owners to sponsor a training, workshop or conference.
    • EXAMPLE: Xcel Energy delivered an overview of energy performance rating to Minneapolis BOMA members.
  • Use ENERGY STAR to set energy performance improvement goals.
    • EXAMPLE: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will utilize ENERGY STAR tools and resources to adhere to guidelines set within Executive Order 111, "Green and Clean" State Buildings and Vehicles, mandating that buildings identify cost-effective measures that will help reduce energy use.

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Enhance Existing Programs with ENERGY STAR

Tools and Resources