In August of 2017, your era building solutions team was one of the first to notify our clients of pending changes to Energy Star metrics that could have a substantial impact on scoring for commercial properties [read here]. One year (and 4 days) later, the Energy Star Portfolio Manager updates for commercial buildings were implemented and questions abound for those non-era-clients who weren't fortunate enough to hear about the updates in advance.
What happened?
Why did my Energy Star Score drop?
Why are my Energy Star Scores for past years wrong?
What happened to Portfolio Manager?
Is my building less efficient now?
Does this mean I can't get Energy Star Certified?
Will this impact my USGBC LEED Certification process?
To clear up the initial confusion, the EPA released a Fact Sheet called "2018 Updates to Energy Star Building Updates" and for your convenience, we have made it available below along with information on the planned Additional Review Period...
Additional Review Period
The following information is adapted from the EPA’s Energy Star Metrics Update Information Page.
Based on the feedback received following the initial roll-out of the new scoring models, the EPA is implementing a review period, during which it will “specifically solicit feedback on the application of the new models to various commercial building sectors and the resulting scores”. The review period will help the EPA to ensure that the models are working as intended to deliver energy performance metrics that empower you to make the business case for owning and operating energy-efficient buildings. During this time, the EPA will work in conjunction with stakeholders and technical experts to conduct this analysis and adjust the scoring models, if needed, including further evaluation of score changes for U.S. buildings of different sizes, locations, and fuel mixes, as well as additional types of analysis that are possible now that stakeholders are able to update their data and calculate their revised scores in the Energy Star Portfolio Manager software tool.
During this period, the EPA will temporarily suspend awarding certifications for all U.S. property types with new score models (excluding multifamily, data center, hospital, senior care community, and manufacturing facilities, as well as facilities located in Canada and “Designed to Earn the Energy Star“ which will continue to be processed normally). The EPA will work to resume certification as soon as possible, and will begin accepting certification applications by property type as each model is evaluated and finalized. Era recommends that all parties wishing to provide feedback do so before the October 10, 2018 deadline (more below) and is making our team available to assist clients (new & old) with the formulation and back-up calculations as desired to support their responses.
EPA’s three-phase review period
Phase 1: Listening & engagement - The first phase of the review period is a listening phase, during which we are specifically soliciting feedback on the application of the models to various U.S. commercial building sectors and the resulting scores.
Phase 2: Analysis based on feedback - The next phase will be analysis, which we will conduct using the feedback and observations collected during the listening phase. EPA will work in conjunction with stakeholders and technical experts to conduct this analysis.
Phase 3: Communication of results - Once the analysis is complete, we’ll determine if any adjustment is necessary to any of the score models. We’ll communicate the results to you through webinars and other channels.
The EPA will complete all three phases property type by property type, and as each property type’s model review is finalized, we’ll resume processing ENERGY STAR certifications.
How to provide feedback
If you would like to participate in the listening phase, you can click here to provide feedback online no later than October 10. Note that in this information-gathering phase of the review, we are seeking to identify broad trends that warrant additional analysis, rather than building-specific data. We will not be providing individual feedback or responses. If you have questions about individual buildings in your portfolio, please contact the Energy Star Help Desk or feel free to contact your era team at any time.
Looking forward
When looking at Energy Star Metrics, the key is to focus not on a sticker or plaque in your building's lobby, but on the opportunity to better understand your building's performance and the opportunities to improve which this knowledge creates.
Have questions, need help, or just want to chat? Please feel free to reach out to your era team at any time.