New Online Tool Provides Energy Use Insights
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently launched a new online tool that allows users to explore energy use data from more than 150,000 commercial buildings in the United States. The no-cost Data Explorer tool will help building owners and facility managers compare their energy use against similar facilities and unlock potential cost-saving opportunities.
Easy access to nationwide and local data
The information in Data Explorer comes from EPA's ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®, an online energy measurement and tracking tool. With Data Explorer, users can quickly access aggregate data from the thousands of individual buildings nationwide that use Portfolio Manager®.
Building owners and managers can easily understand how building energy use varies based on location, size, type and a variety of key measures. Users can access more detailed comparative metrics to see how their buildings perform against similar buildings both nationwide and in their area.
Useful features
Data Explorer allows users to do a variety of cool things with the data, such as:
- Select site, source or weather normalized energy use intensity data.
- View energy use data from more than 80 property types.
- Filter data by numerous characteristics, such as property type, size, location, age and more.
- View results as a table or chart.
- Download results into a spreadsheet format.
Plan for long-term savings
You have insight into how your building's energy use compares to similar facilities, now what do you do? Develop an energy management plan for long-term savings. Here are five key steps for developing a successful plan:
- Benchmark your energy performance using Portfolio Manager® for deeper insight into your building's energy performance.
- Get buy-in from upper management and allocate appropriate funding and resources to ensure success.
- Establish clear and measurable goals to improve your energy performance.
- Create an action plan for implementing energy-saving measures that align with your goals.
- Regularly review energy use data and compare it to your performance goals. Use this information to develop new goals and plans.
Energy management planning is not a one-time thing. Focus on continuous energy performance improvement. For more information, see Guidelines for Energy Management from the EPA.
We’ve also got tools with your I&M account to allow you to manage, track and optimize your company’s energy use with the information provided by your Smart Meter. Energy Management Tools give you more control over your company’s energy use and can be accessed through your business account online.
Return to newsletter