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Commercial and Corporate Real Estate Benchmarking Starter Kit

Office buildings, Bank Branches, Financial Centers, and Courthouses can assess their energy performance using Portfolio Manager. The following documents are intended to help you get started benchmarking, take the next steps, and assist building owners and tenants in data collection.

Get Started

Eligibility Requirements for Use of the National Energy Performance Rating System

Review the criteria to determine if your property is eligible.

Quick Reference Guide PDF (342KB)

This document provides "how to" steps and helpful tips for users of the energy performance rating system. At a glance, it provides the eligibility criteria, property data needed, and guidance on rating interpretation for rating office buildings.

Data Collection Template Excel

Use this MS Excel-based spreadsheet to collect data for twenty or more buildings for a one-time data uploading into Portfolio Manager. Download and complete the spreadsheet, and send it to buildings@energystar.gov.

Portfolio Manager Training for Commercial Real Estate Benchmarking

Learn to benchmark the energy performance of your office buildings in Portfolio Manager by attending a Commercial Real Estate Benchmarking training session.

Portfolio Manager Help Sheets

Use these documents to guide you through the sharing and grouping functions in Portfolio Manager.

Visit ENERGY STAR Conferencing to select a session from the calendar and register.

Take the Next Steps

Energy Management Guidelines

EPA offers a proven strategy for superior energy management with tools and resources to help each step of the way. Based on the successful practices of ENERGY STAR partners, these guidelines for energy management can assist your organization in improving its energy and financial performance while distinguishing your organization as an environmental leader.

Apply for the ENERGY STAR Label for Buildings

The national energy performance rating system in Portfolio Manager benchmarks the energy performance of a wide range of commercial buildings relative to the performance of similar buildings in the United States. Buildings that meet certain criteria and achieve a rating of 75 or better are eligible to apply for the ENERGY STAR.

Professional Engineer's Guide to the ENERGY STAR Label for Buildings PDF (358KB)

A Professional Engineer (PE) validation is required to apply for the ENERGY STAR Label. The PE must stamp the Statement of Energy Performance and submit it to EPA for review. This guide assists Professional Engineers to understand the validation requirements and process, as well as the expectations and limitations of their role.

Office Building Documents

Tenant Benefits Letter Word

This document is designed to help office building owners and managers announce their partnership with ENERGY STAR to their tenants and request energy consumption data from them. Energy consumption data often goes directly from the utility company to the tenant, so many building owners and managers will need to get this information from their tenants in order to benchmark a building.

Utility Release Authorization Word

Another way for office building owners and managers to compile energy consumption data on behalf on their tenants is directly from the local utility company. However, tenants need to give the utility company authorization to release this data. Building owners and managers can send this template letter to tenants and request that they send it to their utility company.