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 | Jul 24, 2019
Multifamily transformation: Historic mansion converted to short-term housing for homeless families
The 1885 Victorian home in Cambridge, Mass., gets a new, energy-efficient life as Renae's Place, short-term housing for homeless women and their children.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 23, 2019
Is prefab in your future?
The most important benefit of offsite construction, when done right, is reliability.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 17, 2019
What multifamily developers are saying about Ori Living's robotic interior system
This robotically controlled, space-saving furniture system can add more than 100 square feet of usable space to apartment units.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 17, 2019
Robotic interiors: How to make a studio apartment feel as big as a one-bedroom unit
Meet Ori Living's robotically controlled, space-saving furniture system.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 17, 2019
Cost of living: Apartment construction costs for 2019
Using RSMeans data from Gordian, here are the most recent construction costs for low-rise and mid-rise apartment buildings across 10 U.S. cities.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 15, 2019
Call for entries: Student housing roundup
We're looking for the best new "student housing" communities for our Fall Issue of Multifamily Design+Construction.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 15, 2019
7 new multifamily developments to track this summer
Ballpark living in Anaheim, Calif., and a water-friendly apartment complex in Seattle highlight the noteworthy multifamily developments to open in 2019.
Multifamily Housing | Jun 27, 2019
David Baker Architects wins 2019 HUD 'best in affordable housing' honor
The firm's Williams Terrace project is the first dedicated housing for Charleston, S.C.’s low-income seniors. It's one of four developments to win 2019 AIA/HUD housing awards.
Building Tech | Jun 26, 2019
Modular construction can deliver projects 50% faster
Modular construction can deliver projects 20% to 50% faster than traditional methods and drastically reshape how buildings are delivered, according to a new report from McKinsey & Co.
Design Innovation Report | Jun 25, 2019
2019 Design Innovation Report: Super labs, dream cabins, office boardwalks, façades as art
9 projects that push the limits of architectural design, space planning, and material innovation.
