Energy benchmarking is the process of tracking a building's annual energy use and using a standard metric to compare the building's performance against past performance and to similar building types. Benchmarking improves understanding of energy consumption patterns; helps identify energy saving opportunities within a portfolio of buildings; and manages business bottom line through consistent data collection and tracking.
Benchmarking is typically done in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®, which is a free online tool managed by the Environmental Protection Agency that enables building owners to measure and track their buildings' energy, water use, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly 25% of U.S. commercial building space is already actively benchmarking in Portfolio Manager, making it the industry-leading benchmarking tool.
To ensure compliance with the Maryland Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS), owners/operators of buildings 35,000 square feet and larger will need to report and share their building’s energy use and emissions with Maryland’s Department of Environment (MDE) annually, beginning on June 1, 2025, and every June thereafter. To learn more about Maryland’s BEPS, visit MDE’s
BEPS page.
Regardless of if your building is subject to Maryland’s BEPS, benchmarking is a critical step for building decarbonization.
Portfolio Manager Resources:
Benchmarking Resources & Technical Assistance:
- MDE Benchmarking & Reporting Working Group Recording: In this Working Group meeting, held September 10, 2024, MDE reviewed the BEPS reporting requirements and benchmarking process. The recording may be viewed on MDE’s YouTube playlist.
- Montgomery County Benchmarking Help Desk (for building owners located in Montgomery County ONLY): Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection offers 1:1 technical support for building’s subject to the County’s Benchmarking Law. Buildings can sign up for a virtual, 30-minute meeting with County staff.
- Montgomery County Benchmarking Ambassadors: Montgomery County’s Department of Environmental Protection curates this list of stakeholders, volunteers, and energy service companies who have received an orientation to the County’s Benchmarking Law on how to properly benchmark in Portfolio Manager®. Please note that inclusion in this list does not confer certification, an official endorsement, or approval from the Montgomery County Government or any of its agencies.
- Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Benchmarking Initiative: HUD’s Multifamily Benchmarking Initiative is providing no-cost benchmarking services to eligible HUD-assisted properties in good standing,including those receiving assistance under Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA), Section 236 Preservation Program, Section 202 Supportive Housing for Elderly, and Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities. Owners are encouraged to enroll all eligible multifamily properties in their portfolios.
- Utility resources:
- Pepco customers can find information on getting their Pepco data at Pepco Energy Benchmarking.
- Washington Gas customers can find information on getting aggregated gas bill data at Washington Gas Energy Benchmarking.
- Potomac Edison account holders can log-in to their account on the First Energy website to retrieve their data electronically or send an email with a list of meter numbers servicing your property for commercial aggregated usage data requests.
- BG&E offers information on getting electronic BGE energy data on their Automated Benchmarking webpage.