A ventilation system that recovers energy from exhaust air to precondition incoming fresh air, enhancing indoor air quality while reducing the energy required for heating or cooling.
A set of regulations, standards, or strategies established by governments or organizations to promote energy efficiency, sustainable practices, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in buildings.
A comprehensive accounting of greenhouse gases and other pollutants emitted by a building or organization, used to track environmental impact and guide reduction strategies.
The process of acquiring energy from various sources, often through competitive bidding or contracts, with an emphasis on securing cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable energy supplies.
The systematic planning and operation of energy consumption in buildings, incorporating strategies to optimize usage, reduce costs, and enhance overall efficiency through monitoring and control.
The complete amount of energy utilized by a building or system over a specified period, typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and forms the basis for benchmarking and efficiency assessments.
A building designed, constructed, and operated to minimize its environmental impact through the use of sustainable materials, efficient technologies, and responsible operational practices.
A systematic evaluation of a building’s energy consumption patterns that identifies areas of waste and opportunities for improvements to optimize efficiency and reduce costs.
The integrated system that regulates indoor climate and air quality, playing a crucial role in a building’s energy consumption and occupant comfort.
The creation of computer-based models to predict a building’s energy consumption under various scenarios, aiding in design decisions and retrofitting strategies for enhanced efficiency.
A metric that quantifies a building’s energy consumption relative to its size (typically expressed as energy per square foot or meter), allowing standardized comparisons across different buildings.
An evaluation of how effectively a building uses energy, often expressed in metrics like Energy Use Intensity (EUI), to assess performance relative to benchmarks and industry standards.
The process of comparing a building’s energy use against similar facilities or established standards to identify inefficiencies and potential areas for improvement.
A program managed by the U.S. EPA that certifies buildings, products, and industrial plants meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines, serving as a mark of excellence for energy performance.
The practice of using less energy to perform the same tasks through improved technologies, building design, or operational changes, which reduces energy waste and operational costs.
The practice of documenting and sharing a building’s or organization’s sustainability performance—including energy use, emissions, and resource consumption—to promote transparency and continuous improvement.
The process of evaluating and optimizing the performance of building systems that were not initially commissioned, uncovering opportunities for energy savings through system adjustments and updates.
A regulatory policy that requires utilities to source a specified percentage of their energy from renewable resources, driving investments in renewable technologies and influencing building energy strategies.
The condition of a building that ensures occupants feel comfortable regarding temperature, humidity, and air movement, typically achieved through effective HVAC design and controls.
The installation of additional meters to monitor energy use in specific areas or systems within a building, providing granular data for targeted energy-saving efforts.
The time during which a building experiences its maximum power consumption, often impacting energy costs due to additional demand charges from utilities.
A renewable energy technology that uses solar panels to convert sunlight directly into electrical power, supporting sustainable energy strategies for buildings.
Power generated from naturally replenishing resources such as sunlight, wind, or geothermal heat, which helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The process of updating older buildings with new technologies or improvements (such as HVAC, lighting, or insulation) to enhance energy performance and reduce operational costs.
A holistic approach to building design and operations that minimizes environmental impact, maximizes energy efficiency, and promotes responsible resource use over time.
A method for correcting energy usage data to remove the effects of varying weather conditions, allowing for fair comparisons of performance across different periods.
A detailed review of utility bills to uncover consumption patterns, identify cost drivers, and pinpoint inefficiencies, forming the basis for targeted energy-saving strategies.
For more information or to begin benchmarking your building in alignment with your organizational mission, contact Benchmarking Buildings today.
