It should be easy and common to compare the efficiency of one building to another, but it isn't. And because buildings use more energy than any other sector--making up 40 percent of total U.S. energy consumption--it's crucial to know where that energy is going, so we can eliminate costly waste. Several U.S. cities and states have now adopted policies that will make building performance more transparent, helping drive energy efficiency gains in the built environment. As more places follow, IMT will continue to research best practices and provide expert assistance to policymakers.

(Right: Energy benchmarking found that the New York Public Library's Central Library - Schwartzman Building has a source energy use intensity of 231.7 kBtu per square foot, better than the national average.)

• Report

  Energy Transparency in the Multifamily Housing Sector

  12/27/12
  
• The Current

  EPA Analysis Shows Big Benchmarking Savings

  10/11/12

  35,000 buildings saved an average of 7% in energy.

• Fact Sheet/Brief

  Guide to State and Local Energy Performance Regulations:...

  02/22/13
  
• Report

  Analysis of Job Creation and Energy Cost Savings From...

  03/28/12
  

Click here for more resources on performance policy →