Energy Analysis & Benchmarking

Most businesses know how much they are spending on energy. However, many do not know why their costs run high, or if their building is energy efficient.

“You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” W. Edwards Deming

The Most Effective Method

Benchmarking is the most effective method to measure the efficiency of a building’s energy performance.  It compares a building’s energy performance against that of similar buildings.  By looking at your building’s energy consumption according to industry-standard energy metrics, Apex Energy Analysis can assess energy performance and identify potential areas for improvement.

Compare building performance to neighbors and similar buildings
Monitor consumption peaks and valleys over time
Identify energy systems needing attention
Discover opportunities for efficiency improvements
Track actual savings for improvement projects
Educate board members, shareholder, facility personnel, and tenants

Benchmarking: a Modern Necessity

Commercial Buildings, which also include schools, hospitals, warehouses, & industrial buildings, are the single largest energy user in the United States. These buildings account for approximately 40% of total energy consumption. Each year, $450 billion is spent on energy in our buildings.

A large sector of these building were built before modern energy codes were in place.  As a result, these buildings use more energy than necessary. Benchmarking allows owners/managers understand their building’s relative energy performance and helps identify opportunities to reduce energy waste.

A Positive Marketing Tool

Benchmarking is also a good marketing tool as owners/managers can capitalize on showing consumers and shareholders that they care about reducing carbon pollution, and safeguarding our health and environment. From a strictly financial standpoint, a recent analysis by the EPA showed that benchmarked buildings save an average 7% in energy consumption.

Initial Analysis

Benchmarking is an analytical service that Apex Energy Analysis provides. It prides rich data that allows owner/managers to see where their energy consumption is going. With this knowledge informed decisions can be made on where to invest capital on building improvements.

“Seeing” that building energy use is excecssive is the first step to change. Benchmarking helps to assess the energy savings potential by comparing your building to:

A set median
Similar buildings in size and industry

“Seeing” that your building uses more energy than 80 or 90% of similar buildings can help pinpoint some areas of growth, enabling you to stay on the cutting edge of your industry. Working with Apex Energy Analysis will help to free up valuable funds that can be reallocated elsewhere – whether it be investments, expansions, or simply adding it to your bottom line.

Staying Competitive

A competitive advantage can mean the difference between failure, survival, and success. An increase in technological advances combined with an aging infrastructure has forced excessive energy consumption to be a world focal point. Here are 3 of the major ways that it can impact you:

1. Inefficient buildings are likely to become less competitive in their respective industries, and often require rent discounting to attract prospective tenants.  Since tenants often enter into triple-net leases, where they are required to pay their allocated share of utility costs, poor building energy performance can reduce your prospective tenant pool.
2. Buildings with poor energy performance may be viewed as less valuable, negatively impacting their financial performance.
3. Lenders who finance building purchases are becoming more concerning about a building’s energy performance.

Types of Buildings

Each commercial building has unique energy demands.  The solutions to obtain a better benchmarking score will differ accordingly.

* Banks must be at least 1,000 sq. feet
** Hospitals must be at least 20,000 sq. ft

Trust our Expert Opinion

Benchmarking is a modern necessity. For professional consultation, analysis, and formulating an action plan, contact Apex Energy Analysis.