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LEED provides the framework for making buildings energy efficient. But measuring the actual energy performance of a building after the fact remains an unaddressed issue.
That’s why we were glad to learn about the US Green Building Counsel’s (USGBC) new advocacy campaign, Mainstream Benchmarking, to promote energy benchmarking of all commercial buildings. As campaign specialist Matt Pearce explains in the USGBC blog…
Benchmarking is the process of quantifying a building’s energy consumption and comparing it to a standard to see how it is performing. The process shows whether or not a building is using too much energy comparatively or if it is a leader in energy performance. Without benchmarking, those low and no-cost opportunities to save energy will never be found. We have the free tools available to start making benchmarking part of standard building operation.That’s why we are asking our advocates to start a conversation in their area about benchmarking. Many leading cities have launched benchmarking initiatives, and are already beginning to reap the benefits. In the past few years, several local and state governments currently have codified benchmarking policies. Momentum around benchmarking is growing.
Since energy demands and environmental conditions vary widely by regions, the Mainstream Benchmarking initiative will differ based on locality. And while the USGBC supports the creation mandatory benchmarking through policy making at the state and local government levels, it seeks to reach consensus by bringing building owners into decision-making process.
