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The Top 5 Energy Compliance Mistakes You Need to Avoid

Energy compliance is an essential aspect of any organization’s operations. With increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change, complying with energy regulations is more important than ever. Energy compliance refers to the rules, regulations, and standards that organizations must follow to reduce their energy consumption and environmental impact. In this article, we will discuss the top five energy compliance mistakes that organizations must avoid complying with energy regulations.

The Top 5 Energy Compliance Mistakes

1. Lack of Energy Audits

Failing to conduct routine energy audits is a major mistake that businesses make. Energy audits are crucial for identifying areas where energy efficiency can be improved, such as reducing energy waste, improving energy systems, and replacing equipment. Without regular energy audits, organizations may miss cost-saving opportunities and risk regulatory non-compliance.

During an energy audit, a building’s energy use and efficiency are assessed. There are several types of energy audits, ranging from basic walkthrough audits to thorough audits that include a detailed investigation of energy systems and equipment. The frequency of energy audits depends on the organization’s size, energy use, and regulatory requirements.

In addition to identifying potential for energy efficiency, energy audits can help businesses develop an energy management strategy. An energy management plan should outline an organization’s energy efficiency goals, tactics, and action plans. Key performance indicators and a schedule for implementation should also be included in the strategy. By regularly conducting energy audits and implementing energy efficiency measures, organizations can reduce their energy bills, improve their environmental impact, and enhance their reputation with stakeholders.

2. Failure to Meet Regulatory Requirements

Non-compliance with energy regulations can lead to significant consequences for organizations, such as financial fines, legal repercussions, and reputational damage. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to stay updated on regulatory requirements and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Working with energy experts or advisers can help businesses stay informed about the latest laws and create compliance plans.

Regular checks on compliance, such as examining energy bills, conducting energy audits, and monitoring energy usage, are necessary to ensure that organizations are adhering to regulations. Establishing a system to monitor compliance and reporting it to authorities is also important. In case of non-compliance, organizations should take corrective action immediately and work with authorities to create a strategy to achieve compliance and avoid further fines.

Adhering to energy standards not only helps organizations avoid penalties but can also improve their sustainability performance, enhance their reputation, and result in cost savings by reducing energy waste and increasing efficiency. Therefore, businesses must prioritize compliance with energy regulations and regularly assess their compliance to achieve these benefits.

3. Inadequate Record-Keeping

For enterprises to prove compliance with energy requirements and evade penalties and fines, effective record-keeping is essential. Without adequate documentation, firms are unable to demonstrate the effectiveness of their compliance efforts, making it challenging to refute claims of non-compliance. Organizations must create clear record-keeping policies, offer staff training, and frequently evaluate and update their procedures if they want to prevent these repercussions.

Energy consumption statistics, energy efficiency measures, and compliance activities like audits and inspections are among the records that enterprises must keep proving compliance with energy legislation. Procedures should specify the precise information that needs to be documented, how it should be recorded, and how frequently it should be updated. Employees should be encouraged to report any difficulties or concerns connected to record-keeping.

Effective record-keeping can also help organizations identify areas for improvement, improve their energy efficiency, and enhance their sustainability performance. Therefore, it is critical that organizations take record-keeping seriously, provide adequate resources, and regularly monitor their procedures to ensure that they remain effective.

4. Ignoring Energy-Efficient Technologies

Energy-efficient technologies offer several benefits to organizations. They reduce energy consumption and lower costs and contribute to environmental sustainability. LED lighting, for instance, uses less energy and lasts longer than traditional lighting, resulting in lower energy bills and reduced maintenance costs. Smart thermostats, on the other hand, can automatically adjust heating and cooling settings based on occupancy and ambient conditions, leading to significant energy savings. Similarly, energy-efficient HVAC systems can help reduce energy consumption and improve indoor air quality, resulting in a more comfortable and healthier workplace environment.

Investing in energy-efficient technologies is critical for organizations to comply with energy regulations and achieve sustainability goals. Many countries and regions have established energy efficiency standards and regulations, such as the European Union’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, the US Department of Energy’s Appliance and Equipment Standards Program, and China’s Top Runner Program. These regulations require organizations to use energy-efficient technologies and reduce their energy consumption, emissions, and environmental impact. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines and penalties, and reputational harm.

Moreover, energy-efficient technologies are increasingly becoming a competitive advantage for organizations. Consumers, investors, and employees are becoming more environmentally conscious and are seeking organizations that demonstrate sustainability leadership. Organizations that invest in energy-efficient technologies can improve their reputation, attract, and retain customers and employees, and gain a competitive edge over their peers. They can also benefit from energy savings and lower operational costs, resulting in improved financial performance.

5. Poor Communication and Training

Ensuring energy compliance requires effective training and communication. Employees must be informed of the requirements for energy compliance, and energy-efficient techniques and technology must be covered in training. Employees will be better able to comprehend their part in attaining compliance as a result, and the business will be more likely to have an energy-efficient culture.

Poor training and communication can result in non-compliance with energy standards, greater energy costs, inefficiencies, and damage to one’s reputation. To guarantee that staff members comprehend energy compliance standards and can successfully adopt energy-efficient practices, it is crucial to give continual training and assistance.

To promote effective communication and training, organizations should establish clear communication channels and provide regular updates on energy compliance and efficiency initiatives. Additionally, organizations should provide training and support to employees on energy-efficient technologies and practices and encourage feedback and suggestions from employees on ways to improve energy efficiency. By prioritizing effective communication and training, organizations can improve their energy efficiency, achieve compliance with energy regulations, and enhance their sustainability performance.

Conclusion

To fulfil their sustainability goals and cut back on energy use, companies must emphasize energy compliance. Lack of energy audits, noncompliance with legal standards, poor record-keeping, disregard for energy-efficient technology, and poor communication and training are the top five energy compliance errors that enterprises must avoid.

To find areas for improvement and create efficient energy management programs, businesses must frequently undertake energy audits. To avoid penalties and fines, they must also adhere to regulatory obligations, such as those relating to reporting and paperwork.

Companies may save expenses and perform better in terms of sustainability by keeping accurate records and implementing energy-efficient technologies. To guarantee that staff members comprehend their responsibility in attaining energy compliance and can successfully adopt energy-efficient practices, appropriate communication and training are required.

Organizations may cut expenses, meet sustainability goals, and show their dedication to environmental responsibility by avoiding these energy compliance blunders and employing energy-efficient practices and technology.

If you are looking for an expert Energy Audit and Compliance consultancy, look no further! Contact us at Vertpro.com! We are an award-winning Energy Benchmarking and Audit Consultancy, recognized on Inc. 5000, providing innovative SaaS technology-based solutions for Building Owners & Property Managers to Simplify Energy Compliance with all 50+ Energy Benchmarking & Energy Efficiency Laws Nationwide. From Energy Benchmarking to Energy Audits/RCx Plus and Construction Marketplace, VertPro® has you covered.

References

References for this article include:

– U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) website. (n.d.). Energy Audits. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/energy-audits

– International Energy Agency (IEA) website. (n.d.). Energy Efficiency. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/topics/energy-efficiency

– Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website. (n.d.). Energy Efficiency. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/environmental-topics/energy-efficiency

June 8, 2023
How to Qualify for an EBEWE Exemption from the Audit and Retro-commissioning

Are you looking to save time and money on the audit, commissioning, or retro-commissioning your building’s energy systems? EBEWE Exemptions are an invaluable resource for organizations that comply with various codes and standards that waive certain requirements to minimize tedious processes like inspections and additional paperwork.

Learning more about eligibility criteria and potential exemptions can help reduce costly procedures while improving the effectiveness of existing strategies.

In this post, we’ll explain everything you need to know about qualifying for an EBEWE Exemption from audit and retro-commissioning – so read on!

What Are Audits And Retro-Commissions?

Audits and retro-commissions are energy consumption surveys that tell us how energy is being used in a given building, system or organization. They provide us with a comprehensive understanding of energy use by measuring energy efficiency through diagnostic tools. This can highlight certain areas of energy waste.

Moreover, retro-commissions provide a roadmap to help organizations reduce energy usage and save costs through pinpointing specific adjustments that can be made to increase energy efficiency. The ultimate goal of audits and retro-commissions is to give organizations the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their energy use going forward.

How to Qualify for an EBEWE Exemption from the Audit and Retro-commissioning?

If you’re looking to qualify for an EBEWE exemption from the energy audit and retro-commissioning, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, it must be verified that energy and water consumption has steadily decreased over at least the last four years or until energy usage has reached a certain threshold.

Additionally, energy audits should be conducted every two years to prove energy efficiency is improving. Finally, any energy efficiency measures recommended in the energy audits must be completed before an exemption is granted. By meeting these requirements, your organization can secure an exemption from energy auditing and retro-commissioning—ensuring your business is as energy efficient as possible!

Who Can Comply With EBEWE Energy Benchmarking?

Energy benchmarking is essential for building owners looking to improve energy performance and conserve energy. EBEWE energy benchmarking is no different – it’s an effective way to determine the energy consumption of existing buildings energy and measure energy efficiency. To comply, building owners must complete an energy consumption survey for each building and submit the results to an energy advisor.

This process yields useful data and insights about how the building uses energy, allowing owners to make informed decisions about energy performance upgrades or to take other corrective measures.

Compliance Deadline For EBEWE Energy Benchmarking Report

Are you a business owner with central cooling systems in your commercial building? If so, you may want to take note of the upcoming compliance deadline for EBEWE Energy Benchmarking report. As of June 1st, 2021, all commercial buildings with central cooling systems must submit a water efficiency program report, including source energy use intensity data, to their local government.

Doing this allows you to determine if your central cooling system is as efficient as possible, helping your business save money on utility bills in the long run. Don’t miss out on this opportunity – make sure to check your local government’s policies and get that report in before the deadline!

Benefits Of EBEWE Exemption From The Audit And Retro Commissioning

EBEWE Exemption from the Audit and Retro Commissioning can help reduce energy costs through:

– Improved Efficiency: By performing an EBEWE Exemption, commercial building owners are able to identify areas of inefficiency and make improvements before the audit, or retro commissioning process is completed. This helps to improve the efficiency of all systems, resulting in lower energy costs.

– Reduced Costs: By reducing the amount of time and money associated with pre-audit and retro commissioning, building owners can save money on audit and retro commissioning costs. This helps to reduce overall energy expenses over time.

– Improved Comfort Level: EBEWE Exemptions allow building owners to ensure that all systems function correctly and efficiently. This helps to improve comfort levels for occupants, resulting in improved productivity and reduced absenteeism.

– Increased Safety: EBEWE Exemptions can help reduce the risk of fire or other safety issues by ensuring that all systems are functioning properly and safely. This helps to increase the overall safety of a building, ensuring that occupants are safe and secure.

– Increased Productivity: EBEWE Exemptions help to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs, resulting in increased productivity for occupants. This can lead to higher revenues for businesses, as well as improved morale for employees.

Overall, EBEWE Exemptions can positively impact a building’s energy efficiency and costs, resulting in improved comfort levels for occupants, increased safety, and higher productivity. This makes EBEWE Exemption from the Audit and Retro Commissioning an attractive option for many building owners.

Things To Consider When Qualifying For An EBEWE Exemption From The Audit And Retro-Commissioning

1. The project must meet all applicable building code requirements and have been constructed according to the approved plans, including any changes or modifications made during construction.

2. The building systems must be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the EBEWE Exemption Guidelines (see Appendix A).

3. The building must have been designed according to recognized energy efficiency design principles and practices, including use of renewable energy technologies (e.g., solar hot water or photovoltaic systems).

4. The building must be equipped with a Building Automation System (BAS) that is set up for remote monitoring and control of the building’s energy systems to enable continuous and/or periodic monitoring of energy performance.

5. The building must have been designed with energy efficiency measures that are not dependent on the BAS, such as occupancy sensors and automatic lighting controls.

6. The building must be equipped with a comprehensive system of meters that accurately monitor energy consumption and provide data for comparison of energy performance before and after the retro-commissioning process.

7. The building must have been designed with systems that allow easy access to make any necessary adjustments or repairs to the building’s energy systems.

8. The building must be equipped with an ongoing training program for staff and/or occupants, so they can become familiar with the systems and use them efficiently.

9. The building must be certified as meeting current energy efficiency standards by an approved third-party auditor or commissioning authority. This certification must be renewed on a regular basis to ensure ongoing compliance with the EBEWE Exemption Guidelines.

10. An application for the exemption must include a detailed description of the energy efficiency measures implemented in the building, along with supporting documentation. This must include copies of all applicable building permits and a complete list of equipment and materials used in the cooling process.

Penalty For EBEWE Energy Benchmarking Report

Recent energy benchmarking regulations require local governments to track and report their buildings’ energy usage in EBEWE Energy Benchmarking Reports. Those who do not comply may face hefty fines. Businesses and corporate entities have not been exempt from this, ensuring everyone can quickly submit the necessary documentation or deal with the consequences. The only exception is residential properties, which are far from getting away with anything, since they still need to adhere to all local municipal requirements. Anyone avoiding compliance will surely face the penalty for their non-compliance, so it’s essential for everyone to take these regulations seriously.

The Final Word

You can save energy and money by following these simple tips to qualify for an EBEWE exemption from the audit and retro-commissioning. The first step is to find a reputable company like Vert Energy Group to help you with the process. Once you have found a reputable company, they will take care of the rest!

April 4, 2023
Los Angeles energy benchmarking program

Residents of Los Angeles have the opportunity to gain insight into their energy consumption—and their role in climate change—through energy benchmarking. A tool developed by cities like Los Angeles, it allows users to compare the performance of buildings and businesses when it comes to energy efforts and emissions tracking. This makes it easier for everyone involved to understand opportunities for improved efficiency, as well as changes that could be made on a smaller scale that drastically impacts larger-scale success. In this blog post, we take an in-depth look at how Los Angeles’s energy benchmarking program prospers and why city residents should take advantage of its offerings.
Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking
Los Angeles is leading the charge in revolutionizing a sustainable future through the Energy Benchmarking and Disclosure for Existing Commercial Buildings (EBEWE) program. Requiring all existing large multiple buildings to be benchmarked annually and reported to the City, EBEWE provides homeowners of these properties with full disclosure of their respective energy usage, helping them make responsible decisions toward reducing emissions.
For example, owners can access actionable steps for lowering their building’s carbon footprint. Not only does EBEWE assist in analyzing energy trends over time and contribute to emissions reduction targets chosen by the local government, but it also serves to encourage an environmental consciousness within residential communities.
By making energy efficiency more accessible and tangible, Los Angeles is laying down an inspiring path other cities can follow toward improving the planet’s future.
Requirements For Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking
Owning a commercial building in Los Angeles is a one-of-a-kind opportunity, and with that comes a unique responsibility – to comply with the city’s energy benchmarking law. This law requires detailed energy consumption data to be reported by property owners directly to the Department of Water & Power (LADWP).
As a result, property owners have access to the Energy Star Portfolio Manager – an online database designed for convenient and efficient benchmarking. This system will generate scores for each property based on how much energy it uses compared to an associated building.
All relevant information must be entered and properly documented by June 1st of every year, so officials can review and evaluate current usage data. By complying with this program, property owners are helping reduce energy consumption for a more sustainable future for us all!
What Is Los Angeles Energy Benchmark Compliance?
Los Angeles Energy Benchmark Compliance is a citywide initiative to improve the sustainability and energy efficiency of buildings. Through innovative energy management and reporting practices, this program helps reduce the consumption of electricity, natural gas, energy, and water in buildings, helping them meet their energy savings goals and save money. From small apartment buildings to large office towers, all commercial properties are required to comply with LA’s requirements for benchmark compliance.
This data-driven approach ensures that building owners have accurate information on their total energy usage so they can make well-informed decisions about how best to conserve. By increasing our knowledge of how our built environment performs under real operating conditions, Los Angeles Energy Benchmark Compliance is working to ensure a more sustainable future for us all.
How Does Los Angeles Benchmarking Work?
Benchmarking in Los Angeles is designed to help improve the performance of companies in the region. The process involves collecting and analyzing data on key indicators, such as capabilities, procedures, processes, and costs associated with a company’s operations.
Companies then compare their results against others within their own industry or compare them to a group of peers. These comparisons are used to create goals that lead to improvements through better practices and more efficient practices over time.
As part of the benchmarking process, Los Angeles businesses use cost-benefit analysis to identify how changes can be implemented quickly and profitably. In other words, benchmarking provides businesses with an opportunity to imitate proven practices from peer companies in order to achieve greater success.
Who Is Required To Comply With The LA Energy Benchmarking Law?
Since the enactment of the LA Energy Benchmarking Law, numerous organizations have been required to abide by its regulations. Any non-residential building exceeding 20,000 square feet must comply, as well as any multifamily space that has five or more units and meets certain criteria.
Furthermore, any residential building with over 20 units must follow the law. All participants must regularly report their energy data so that their progress can be tracked over time as a measure of efficiency and improvement. Adherence to the LA Energy Benchmarking Law is not just a civic duty, but an important step toward environmental sustainability and preservation.
Benefits Of LA Energy Benchmarking
Here are the benefits of LA energy benchmarking:
Improved Sustainability
Energy benchmarking helps identify areas for improvement in energy efficiency, enabling organizations to better understand their environmental impact and reduce their carbon footprint. Benchmarking also allows companies to track progress against established sustainability goals.
Cost Savings
By understanding where energy is being used or wasted, benchmarking can help organizations identify cost-saving opportunities. This information can be used to develop more efficient systems and practices, resulting in greater savings on energy bills.
Improved Compliance
LA’s benchmarking program requires the tracking and reporting of energy use data, which helps companies stay compliant with local ordinances and regulations.
Increased Awareness
Energy benchmarking helps foster a culture of energy efficiency within organizations. By understanding and tracking their energy use, employees can become more aware of how their practices affect greenhouse gas emissions. This awareness can help them to make better decisions and take ownership in reducing the environmental impact of their workplace.
Increased Transparency
Energy performance data collected through LA’s benchmarking program is available publicly, providing transparency to stakeholders and customers. This information gives customers greater insight into the sustainability of an organization, which can improve customer loyalty and trust.
Overall, LA energy benchmarking helps organizations reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, save money on energy bills, stay compliant with local regulations and increase transparency to customers. With the benefits of LA energy benchmarking, it is easy to understand why so many organizations are becoming more committed to sustainability.
Step-To-Step Guide On How Los Energy Benchmarking Performs
Los energy benchmarking is a process that provides energy performance ratings for commercial and multifamily buildings based on energy consumption. This energy performance rating system helps building owners and managers track the building’s energy efficiency, compare the energy use of similar buildings, identify potential areas of improvement, and develop strategies for energy consumption reduction. The following guide outlines the steps involved in energy benchmarking for commercial and multifamily residential buildings.
Data Collection
The first step of energy benchmarking is to collect energy consumption data from the building’s energy utility bill, energy audit, or energy management system (EMS). This energy data can be used to determine a baseline energy performance rating.
Benchmark Analysis
The energy data is then analyzed to gain insights into energy use patterns and energy consumption by different building systems. This analysis helps identify energy-saving opportunities.
Energy Performance Rating
After analyzing the energy data, a performance rating is assigned to the building based on how efficiently it manages energy use compared with similar existing buildings.
Develop Strategies and Action Plans
Once energy performance ratings are established, the next step is to develop energy-saving strategies and action plans. This includes assessing energy efficiency retrofit opportunities, energy management systems upgrades, and energy policy development.
Monitor Progress
The energy benchmarking process should also include a periodic review of energy consumption data to ensure that energy savings goals are met. This helps identify any energy management issues that need to be addressed.
Energy benchmarking not only provides energy performance ratings, but it also helps building owners and managers develop energy-saving strategies, track energy use patterns, and reduce energy consumption over time. By following these steps, commercial and multifamily buildings can achieve improved energy efficiency and lower energy bills.
By utilizing energy benchmarking, commercial and multifamily buildings can not only reduce energy consumption but also save money. By making energy efficiency improvements and developing energy-saving strategies, building owners and managers can significantly reduce energy costs while providing a more comfortable living or working environment. This is why energy benchmarking is becoming increasingly popular in the commercial and multifamily building sector.
When Is The Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking Report Due?
The Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking Report is a yearly commitment for property owners of commercial and multifamily buildings larger than 50,000 square feet and municipal buildings over 10,000 square feet of gross floor area in the city.
Completing this report by June 1st each year provides invaluable insight into the effectiveness of energy usage, helps the Earth Engineering Center develop actionable plans towards sustainability, and gives local owners an opportunity to become part of the solution to climate change.
Owners are therefore encouraged to submit their reports early so that more collective progress can be made in energy efficiency.
What Are The Penalties For Non-Compliance With The Los Angeles Energy Benchmarking Law?
The Los Angeles building Energy Benchmarking Law is an important legislation set at the city level to reduce energy use in commercial and residential buildings. What many may not know is that failure to comply or not submitting reports can result in serious consequences.
In cases of non-compliance, the first step taken by the City of Los Angeles is a warning letter demanding corrective action – if it goes ignored, misdemeanor charges may follow along with fines up to $2,500; an amount that can easily add up with additional community service hours depending on the judge’s ruling.
For this reason, those affected should be sure to meet all obligations outlined in the law and stay informed on any changes or notices from local authorities to avoid facing penalties for non-compliance.
How To Submit Los Angeles Benchmarking Report?
Submitting the Benchmarking Report for Los Angeles is simple, efficient, and green! All you need to do is create an online profile with the City of Los Angeles Performance Reporting website. Then you can easily find and submit your report in a standard online form. For easy access, you can also start the Benchmarking survey process by calling toll-free from anywhere in Southern California. Finally, if the paper is more your style, you can request a paper version of your report from their customer service department. Once your report is completed, simply mail it to their address for review and submission. Submitting the Benchmarking Report has never been easier!

December 23, 2022