Have you benchmarked one or more buildings, and are looking to take the next steps on energy efficiency? Below are suggestions for starting to improve the energy performance of your property(ies):

1.) UNDERSTAND YOUR PERFORMANCE: Review Your Property's Results

2.) DIVE DEEPER INTO DATA: Understand Energy Use in The Building

3.) TRAIN YOUR TEAM: Learn How to Capture Savings Through Energy Efficiency Operations

4.) TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Develop a Longer-Term Commitment to Energy Savings

 Return to the Chicago Energy Benchmarking Homepage.

1.) UNDERSTAND YOUR PERFORMANCE: Review Your Property's Results  

Review the building’s energy benchmarking results, starting with three key metrics – energy use intensity (EUI), the 1-100 ENERGY STAR Score, and the Chicago Energy Rating your building has received. If you are responsible for benchmarking a building, simply log into the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool to view the EUI and the 1-100 Score - see the sample screen shot of the Portfolio Manager Metrics Summary to the right. The 1-100 score is also shown on the annual Chicago Energy Rating Placard sent by mail to each reporting property. Otherwise, you may need to review publicly-available information (online here at the City's Data Portal) or ask the property owner or manager for the information.

Next, understand your property's performance in light of results from similar properties:

Local Results:

• Review your numbers compare to the Chicago averages for your property type here: Average EUIs and ENERGY STAR scores by property type.

National Results:

• To review data from similar properties across the nation, use the free Building Performance Database from the U.S. Department of Energy.

2.) DIVE DEEPER INTO DATA: Understand Energy Use in the Building

Conduct an Energy Assessment

Comparisons of monthly or annual usage from different time periods can start to provide more insights into your property’s energy use. For example, a spike in usage at a specific time could be a red flag that building equipment is not performing correctly.

In addition, more detailed reviews of energy-consuming equipment and operations can help you gain a better understanding of possible improvements. Start by conducting an energy assessment if you have not done so in the last two to three years. The process will help you identify low-cost and no-cost opportunities specific to your property. Both of the local utilities, ComEd and Peoples Gas, offer FREE energy assessments to qualifying buildings.

To find out more, contact the utilities today:

• ComEd:
  • Phone: 855.433.2700
  • Website: https://www.comed.com/WaysToSave/ForYourBusiness/Pages/FacilityAssessments.aspx

• Peoples Gas:
  • Phone: 855.849.8928
  • Website: http://www.peoplesgasdelivery.com/business/rebates.aspx

Utility incentive and rebate programs

If you have already conducted an assessment or audit, or you have already identified specific projects to retrofit your property, be sure to consider using one of the utility rebate and incentive programs to help finance your project:

Commercial, Institutional, and Public Buildings:

• ComEd's Energy Efficiency program can help reduce building energy use. Incentives and support programs help businesses drive energy savings and an improved bottom line.  Please visit www.ComEd.com/EnergyTools for more information about online tools and other support.
• To stay up-to-date on ComEd's programs, sign up for their monthly newsletter - click here to register
• Peoples Gas Natural Gas Savings Program offers incentives to encourage business customers make energy-efficient improvements to reduce energy use and enhance workplace comfort.

Multifamily Residential Buildings:

• ComEd and Peoples Gas offer building managers and owners energy efficiency upgrades and incentives through the Multi-Family Energy Savings offering.
• ComEd's new Marketplace Website: Current listings of product offerings and discounts

Financing: If financing is needed to implement retrofits, consider the City's new Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing program, which can help finance energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. To learn more, visit: www.ChicagoPACE.org

3.)TRAIN YOUR TEAM: Learn How to Capture Savings Through Energy Efficient Operations 

City-Recognized Trainings for Energy Benchmarking Data Verification

Numerous courses are available to provide training on how to identify and implement energy-saving projects. The City-recognized trainings for energy benchmarking data verification are chosen to focus not just on how to complete benchmarking and verify data, but also how to identify and implement energy saving improvements and technologies. Click here to see the full list of credentials accepted for energy benchmarking data verification.

 Additional resources for energy efficiency:

• The Department of Energy's Retrofit Existing Buildings Website: Resources to help identify, plan, and implement energy retrofits.
• ENERGY STAR's Trainings on Energy Management and Engagement: Free training on a variety of topics - from the ins and outs of ENERGY STAR's Portfolio Manager to guidance on improving the energy performance of your buildings and plants
• Institute for Real Estate Management's Accessing and Using Energy Data to Improve Property Operations: Online training on accessing and using energy data to make wise investments that improve operations and save energy.
• Seventhwave's Education Portal: List of webinars and events focusing on energy efficiency technologies and approaches

4.) TAKE THE CHALLENGE: Develop a Longer-Term Commitment to Energy Savings

The Retrofit Chicago Energy Challenge is a free, voluntary program available to any property owner or manager in the City of Chicago. The Energy Challenge is designed to provide recognition and support to those who are leading the way on energy efficiency efforts in Chicago. Current participants have reduced energy use by nearly 12%, saving approximately $6.4 million in energy costs per year.

Upon joining the Energy Challenge, participants agree to:

• Reduce energy usage in one or more buildings by 20% over five years;
• Begin actions to improve energy efficiency within six months (if not already started);
• Track progress and share successes;
• Serve as an energy efficiency ambassador

Participants have access to several benefits, including increased recognition and promotion of their efforts, peer-to-peer learning exchanges, and support for utility incentive and rebate program applications.

If you would like to learn more, please visit: www.RetrofitChicago.net

Questions? We Can Help!

Call the Chicago Energy Benchmarking Help Center at (855) 858-6878 (M-F, 9am-5pm) or email Info@ChicagoEnergyBenchmarking.org.

...or return to the Chicago Energy Benchmarking Homepage (www.CityofChicago.org/EnergyBenchmarking).