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 |
- Multifamily Benchmarking Office Hours: Multifamily and condo buildings can drop into weekly office hours during summer 2025 to get their benchmarking questions answered.
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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.
MDE BEPS Portal: Building owners or managers can find or request their buildings’ Unique Building ID (UBID) in the BEPS Portal. A UBID is needed to submit benchmarked energy data to MDE.
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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.
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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.
- Connecting with Your Energy Data Provider: MDE has prepared this guidance document which outlines how to get calendar year energy consumption data for your building from your electric and/or gas company in Maryland.
