Energy Benchmarking Resources

Basic Program Information

• The Energy Benchmarking Fact Sheet is a one-page handout that summarizes benchmarking requirements, building performance metrics, benefits and technical assistance help desk contact information.
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• View the Energy Benchmarking OSE Director’s Rule 2017-01 for clarification on benchmarking requirements including details on buildings subject to the law.
• Building Potential maintains a directory of firms that offer building benchmarking services. The City of Seattle cannot make any recommendations or referrals.

Compliance Documents

The Seattle Energy Benchmarking How to Guide provides step by step instructions to help you benchmark your building to comply with the City of Seattle’s energy benchmarking and reporting requirement. 

• Step 1 – Getting Started – Data Collection

• Step 2 – Set Up Property in EPA’s Portfolio Manager Tool

• Step 3 – Obtain Energy Meter Usage Data

  • Step 3a – Seattle City Light Data Exchange Enrollment Process

  • Step 3b – Puget Sound Energy EnergyCAP Data Exchange Enrollment Process

  • Step 3c – CenTrio Seattle Data Exchange Enrollment Process

• Step 4 – Confirm Energy Use Intensity (EUI)

• Step 5 – Add the City of Seattle as a Contact in Portfolio Manager

• Step 6 – Share Building with the City of Seattle

Appendices

1. Property Use Details Worksheet for ENERGY STAR Eligible Buildings
2. Entering Utility Data Manually into Portfolio Manager
3. Contact and Website Resources
4. Entering Building Details and Common Portfolio Manager Errors
5. Submitting Seattle City Light Data Exchange Authorization

First time benchmarking? Reference the New User Compliance Checklist to make sure you haven’t missed a reporting step.

Already have a Portfolio Manager account for your building? Use the Annual Update Checklist to update your building’s uses, correct default values and confirm all energy consumption data is included for the required reporting year.

Energy Benchmarking Tips

• Updating Contacts
• Updating Property Use Details
• Identifying Alternative Addresses

Analysis

The Seattle Energy Benchmarking Map displays building performance data for properties required to annually comply, multifamily and nonresidential buildings greater than 20,000 square feet. The interactive data visualization site includes performance snapshots and reports to view performance over time.

View Performance Ranges of Seattle Buildings by Property Type.

Utility Incentives

• Seattle City Light offers incentives to help your business improve energy performance, reduce operating costs and achieve sustainability goals. Financial incentives for energy efficient upgrades are available for lighting, controls, windows, insulation, appliances and more. Incentives can cover up to 70% of project costs.
• Seattle City Light offers multifamily incentives too!
• Interested in a free energy savings assessment? Contact Seattle City Light at SCLEnergyAdvisor@seattle.gov for more information.

Additional Information

• Sign up for the Benchmarking e-news for program updates, due date reminders, training session registration, and compliance tips.
• Have additional questions about how to comply with the annual benchmarking law? Contact our free technical assistance help desk.