The U.S. Department of Energy has released two resources to help analyze the energy, non-energy, and market transformation impacts of building energy benchmarking policies and programs.
One handbook provides methodologies for jurisdictions to use to analyze the impact of their benchmarking policies and programs. The second demonstrates the methodologies using real data from New York City’s benchmarking ordinance, Local Law 84 (LL84).
Building energy benchmarking is the process of measuring how efficiently a building uses energy relative to the other similar buildings over time. The DOE Benchmarking & Transparency Policy and Program Impact Evaluation Handbook provides cost-effective, standardized analytic methods for determining gross and net energy reduction, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation, job creation and economic growth impacts.
The second report found that between 2010 and 2013—the first four years of LL84—buildings covered by the ordinance reduced energy use by 5.7% and lowered greenhouse gas emissions by 8.3%. The benchmarking efforts directly created 39 jobs as well another roughly 7,000 jobs through energy-efficiency activities.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Oct 29, 2020
Uncertainty shades a once-soaring multifamily construction market
Demand varies by region, and by perceptions about the economy, COVID-19, and the election.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 22, 2020
The Weekly show: Universal design in multifamily housing, reimagining urban spaces, back to campus trends
BD+C editors speak with experts from KTGY Architecture + Planning, LS3P, and Omgivning on the October 22 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 20, 2020
New multifamily complex completes in Austin
Charlan Brock Associates and Britt Design Group designed the project.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 15, 2020
Miami’s yacht-inspired UNA Residences begins construction
AS+GG designed the tower.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 15, 2020
L.A., all the way
KFA Architecture has hitched its wagon to Los Angeles’s star for more than 40 years.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 2, 2020
Everyone's getting a fire pit!
Skeleton fire pit in Chicago, October 2020
Coronavirus | Oct 2, 2020
With revenues drying up, colleges reexamine their student housing projects
Shifts to online learning raise questions about the value of campus residence life.
Multifamily Housing | Oct 1, 2020
Glass railings installed at 300-unit rental complex in Columbus, Ohio
Vision Communities chose Viewrail railings for the main entrance of The Ave, a 300-unit rental enterprise in Columbus, Ohio.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 29, 2020
Washington, D.C.’s first modular apartment building breaks ground
Eric Colbert & Associates designed the building.
Multifamily Housing | Sep 22, 2020
AIA/HUD Secretary's Awards celebrate affordable, accessible, and well-designed housing
Each year, the AIA and HUD partner to celebrate projects that demonstrate affordable, accessible and well-designed housing, proving that good design is not exclusive.
