The Latest

Benchmarking Case Study: One Franklin Square

This case study looks at the energy savings of One Franklin Square, a building in downtown Washington, DC, that resulted from energy benchmarking. The property management company, Hines, has made improvements since they started benchmarking, reducing utility consumption by 6 million kilowatt-hours per year. And those savings continue to grow. Over the last 18 years … Continued

Benchmarking Case Study: Demonet Building

When Transwestern took over management of the Demonet Building in 2009, one of the first things they did was benchmark, or measure and rate, the building’s energy performance. Robert Sloan, the building’s Chief Engineer, said benchmarking helped them see just how much energy the building was consuming. In just three years, with low-cost changes, they … Continued

Benchmarking Case Study: 4600 Connecticut Avenue

Finding energy savings in a condominium building poses a challenge. How does a Board of Directors persuade hundreds of individual owners to practice energy efficiency? When Harry Richter, a consultant with High Rise Consulting, began working with the board of the 4600 Connecticut building, he knew there were ways they could save on energy costs … Continued

Media Backgrounder: Unlocking Energy Savings in the Multifamily Housing Market

A new policy is taking hold across the U.S. that could help motivate owners of apartment buildings and condo complexes to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, slashing as much as $9 billion from energy bills for 40 million Americans. This policy – energy benchmarking and disclosure – requires property owners to annually measure … Continued

Benchmarking Case Study: Mercer Court

Bellwether Housing owns and manages 29 apartment buildings that provide affordable housing for more than 3,000 Seattle residents, many of whom are low-income families and seniors. Bellwether aims to keep housing costs as low as possible for its residents, which means keeping energy bills in check. Through Portfolio Manager benchmarking, Bellwether found that annual utility … Continued

Benchmarking Case Study: Dexter Horton Building

When CB Richard Ellis and LaSalle Investment Management began working together in 2006 as the asset service and management providers for Seattle's historic Dexter Horton building, there was a mutual understanding that they would invest in the upgrades needed to make the building as efficient as possible. By using the EPA’s free benchmarking tool, ENERGY … Continued

Benchmarking Case Study: Bank of America Fifth Avenue Plaza

Hines first began measuring and rating, or benchmarking, the energy performance of Bank of America Fifth Avenue Plaza using the EPA’s free ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool in 2000. It was an eye-opening experience. For the first time, Hines was able to compare the building’s energy performance to similar buildings in the Seattle area as … Continued