Benchmarking FAQs

Building energy benchmarking refers to measuring a building’s energy use (and in some cases water use and waste disposal) and comparing it to the energy use of similar buildings, its own historical energy use, or a reference performance level. Dozens of state and local governments and industry associations have initiated benchmarking policies and programs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that buildings that benchmark energy achieve average annual energy savings of 2.4 percent - resulting in real cost savings for building owners. For example, a 500,000-square-foot office building achieving 2.4 percent savings for three consecutive years could realize cumulative energy cost savings totaling $120,000 and an increased asset value of over $1 million.

Yes. In February 2023, the Oak Park Board of Trustees voted to approve the energy and water benchmarking ordinance which requires large buildings to track and report their annual energy and water usage. Starting in 2023, large buildings are required to track and report their data by December 31st.

Reducing building energy use is the most important step that Oak Park can take to take action on climate change and reach the community’s Climate Ready Oak Park(External link) goals.

In Oak Park, energy used by commercial buildings creates one-third of greenhouse gas emissions, which trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and cause climate change.

The Village of Oak Park has adopted a benchmarking ordinance that will apply to buildings larger than 10,000 square feet in Gross Floor Area (“Covered Buildings”). This is expected to be approximately 250 Oak Park buildings. Residential buildings with less than four units are exempted from this policy.

Every year, Covered Buildings will report their total energy and water use for the previous year, for the whole building. Energy use for individual tenants will not need to be  reported separately. The data will be reported through the U.S. EPA’s free online tool, Portfolio Manager. 

The following year, the Village of Oak Park will publicly report the Building Benchmark report data, including Energy Star scores for the Covered Buildings. This allows the recognition and reward of buildings with superior energy performance.

The Village is partnering with MEEA to offer an energy data jam. Data jams are workshops where building owners and property managers receive hands-on help in setting up their buildings in Portfolio Manager and creating automatic connections to utility data. Provide your contact information at this page to be notified of the 2023 workshop date.

The U.S. EPA's Energy Star program offers FREE trainings. how-to guides; and a live support online help desk. Visit the Energy Star Help Center here.