Tag: Energy Star

Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking Process and Information

Are you a business owner in Los Angeles looking to gain an advantage over your competition? EBEWE – the acronym for “Efficient Business Evaluation and Web-Enabled Functionality” – is a benchmarking program encouraging local businesses to evaluate their operations and leverage web technology for better performance. Energy benchmarking provides insights into areas of improvement, giving companies in Los Angeles the key competitive edge they need in today’s increasingly global marketplace. Read on for more information about this influential benchmarking system and how it could benefit you!
What Is Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking?
Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking is a performance management system many local authorities use. It assesses strategies and processes used to manage services in the area and enables councils to compare their performance against other areas. This helps them identify best practices, weaknesses, and how they can improve efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service delivery. It allows councils to measure their progress over time, so they have an accurate record of improvement or regression. Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking provides reliable insights that local authorities can use when making decisions that affect the lives of their citizens.
Who Should Comply With Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking?
Complying with the Los Angeles existing buildings’ energy and water efficiency (EBEWE) benchmarking requirements is a great way for existing buildings to increase their energy and water efficiency. Enacting the Los Angeles municipal code, existing building owners must measure their energy and water usage annually, estimate the emissions from those sources, and report these results publicly. All multifamily and commercial buildings greater than 20,000 sq. ft. are required to comply, developing an accurate picture of existing building performance and setting future targets for building sustainability standards. Those who meet the requirements can proudly showcase their commitment to helping reduce harmful building emissions and build a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow!
Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking Process And Information
The Los Angeles Department of Energy and Environment is leading the way in benchmarking energy efficiency. As part of this process, they’ve implemented a comprehensive enterprise-wide benchmarking system that strengthens their capacity for data collection, quality checkers, and analytics. This system helps them achieve Energy Star certifications in their buildings, which educates the public on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ultimately, their work will help build healthier and more sustainable cities for generations to come.
Requirements For Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking
If you’re looking to benchmark your facility’s energy performance in Los Angeles, there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet. To get started, you’ll need to create a portfolio manager account and have your facility go through a data quality checker. From there, your facility will be eligible for an Energy Star certification necessary for the formal benchmarking process. By fulfilling these requirements, your facility will be well on its way to lowering energy costs and ultimately reducing its impact on the environment in LA.
Deadline For Los Angeles EBEWE Energy Benchmark Report
Have you taken the time to fill out your Los Angeles EBEWE Energy Benchmark Report? Don’t wait too long – the deadline for submission is quickly approaching! Make sure you have all of the necessary information to complete your report accurately, as it will help inform relevant energy initiatives in the City of Los Angeles. Benchmarking reports must be submitted by June 1st, so don’t delay. Taking a few moments today to fill out the report can pay off greatly in the future— not only will you do your part to make a difference in fighting climate change, but you could also save money on utility costs and improve working and living conditions.
Penalty For Los Angeles EBEWE Energy Benchmarking Report
Los Angeles has become the first city in the United States to impose a financial penalty on property owners whose buildings fail to meet minimum energy efficiency standards, as outlined in their EBEWE Energy Benchmarking Report. In order to comply with this new policy, property owners have to complete an annual energy benchmarking report to calculate any disparity against the average usage range of similar properties throughout the city. If they fail to achieve 80% efficiency or higher, they face a $200 fine each month. Taking such steps helps leaders underscore the importance of making building operations more environmentally friendly by using efficient advanced technologies while reducing emissions and pollution levels. It is Los Angeles’ firm intention that all stakeholders focus on reducing their carbon footprint, ultimately leading to a healthier environment for everyone.
Benefits Of Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking
Let’s have a look at the benefits of energy benchmarking:
1. Improved operational efficiency: Benchmarking can help identify areas for improvement in building energy use and operations. By comparing buildings to one another, facility managers can recognize where their building is performing well and where adjustments might be needed to improve overall performance. This comparison allows managers to make informed decisions on optimizing the building’s energy efficiency and reducing wasted energy.
2. Cost savings: Benchmarking can help identify areas of potential cost savings. By comparing buildings to one another, facility managers can recognize where their building is performing well and where adjustments might be needed to improve overall performance. This comparison allows them to make informed decisions on ways to optimize energy use and reduce energy costs.
3. Better performance tracking: Los Angeles EBEWE Program provides information about energy use, enabling facility managers to track the performance of their building over time and respond quickly to changes in the market or their operations. By looking at how a building performs relative to similar buildings, they can adjust their strategies to increase energy efficiency.
4. Opportunities for improvement: Benchmarking can illustrate areas requiring improvement so building owners can implement new energy-saving measures, such as installing more efficient equipment or technology and improving building maintenance practices. This helps to ensure that buildings are running at optimal levels and providing the best possible performance for occupants.
5. Compliance with energy regulations: Benchmarking helps ensure that a building complies with local and state energy codes. By providing a comprehensive picture of the building’s energy use, it can help facility managers to make sure they are meeting all regulatory requirements.
In conclusion, Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking provides an invaluable tool for building owners and property managers to track and improve their energy use performance. By comparing buildings to one another, managers can identify areas for improvement in energy efficiency and cost savings and help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Things To Consider When Complying With Los Angeles Benchmarking
Here is what you should consider when complying with EBEWE Benchmarking:
1. Understand the legal requirements: Ensure you are well-versed in all applicable rules, regulations, and laws regarding energy benchmarking for buildings in Los Angeles. This includes knowing what records need to be maintained and submitted and any penalties or fines associated with non-compliance.
2. Educate yourself on the EBEWE benchmarking process: Become familiar with the terminology and process of energy benchmarking. Understand how to properly measure, track, and analyze building performance over time. Additionally, understand which data points are required by EBEWE for reporting and filing purposes.
3. Get the right tools for tracking your progress: Develop a comprehensive plan for keeping track of your energy use. Invest in software, such as Portfolio Manager, or VertPro® to help you easily track and monitor your building’s energy performance. Energy benchmarking can be a time-consuming and confusing process. VertPro® helps simplify energy benchmarking for your entire portfolio! It’s as easy as 1,2,3! Sign up for free today at VertPro®.
4. Develop strategies for improving efficiency: Assess areas where improvements can be made to increase the building’s overall efficiency. Work with a consultant to develop an action plan for implementing energy efficiency retrofits.
5. Regularly inspect your building’s performance: Maintain a close eye on any changes in energy usage as you implement new efficiency measures. Regularly review results with staff to ensure that the strategies are being properly implemented and have the desired effect.
6. Stay informed of updates to the EBEWE benchmarking program: Changes in the benchmarking process, rules, and regulations may occur over time. Keep up with any updates to ensure that your building is always in compliance and optimized for performance.
Following these tips will help you stay compliant with EBEWE Benchmarking while also improving the overall efficiency of your building. With the right resources and strategies in place, you can be sure that your building meets all legal requirements while also taking advantage of available energy savings.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles EBEWE benchmarking process is essential for businesses to ensure they are ahead of the competition. With so many businesses in the area, staying on top of trends and developments is important. This process allows business owners to see where they stand in relation to other companies and make necessary changes to remain competitive. Information gathered through this process can also attract new customers and grow the business.

February 14, 2023

Energy Benchmarking Deadlines are Almost Here

Building owners and property managers may be wondering whether they need to comply with the latest round of EPA regulations – Energy Benchmarking. The answer is: most likely, yes. Entities must submit their buildings’ energy performance using EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool or face possible fines from the city or state agency. As a reminder, the following is a list of the recently passed and upcoming deadlines:

Passed Deadlines
City	Deadline
Washington Clean & Affordable Energy Act of 2008 (Washington, DC)	April 1, 2022
Washington State Senate Bill 5854 (SB5854)	April 1, 2022
May Deadlines
City	Deadline
Cambridge Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance	May 1, 2022
Kansas City Energy Empowerment Ordinance	May 1, 2022
New York City Local Law 84 (NYC LL84)	May 1, 2022
Orlando Building Energy & Water Efficiency Strategy (Ordinance 2016-64)	May 1, 2022
Portland Energy & Water Use Performance Benchmarking Ordinance (Maine)	May 1, 2022
Saint Louis Building Energy Awareness Bill	May 1, 2022
Salt Lake City Elevate Buildings	May 1, 2022
San Jose Energy & Water Building Performance Ordinance (SJ BPO)	May 1, 2022
Boston Energy Reporting & Disclosure Ordinance	May 15, 2022
San Francisco Existing Buildings Energy Ordinance (SF EBO)	May 16, 2022*
Chula Vista Building Energy Saving Ordinance	May 20, 2022
June Deadlines
City	Deadline
Atlanta Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance	June 1, 2022
Austin Energy Conservation Audit & Disclosure Ordinance (ECAD)	June 1, 2022
Boulder Building Performance Efficiency Ordinance	June 1, 2022
California Assembly Bill 802 (CA AB802)	June 1, 2022
Chicago Building Energy Use Benchmarking Ordinance	June 1, 2022
Denver Commercial & Multifamily Building Benchmarking	June 1, 2022
Los Angeles Energy & Water Efficiency (LA EBEWE)	June 1, 2022
Minneapolis Commercial Building Rating & Disclosure Ordinance	June 1, 2022
Montgomery County Building Energy Benchmarking Law	June 1, 2022
Pittsburgh Building Benchmarking Ordinance	June 1, 2022
San Diego Building Energy Benchmark Ordinance	June 1, 2022
Evanston Building Energy & Water Use Benchmarking Ordinance	June 30, 2022
Philadelphia Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance	June 30, 2022

*The San Francisco Existing Buildings Energy Ordinance (EBO) is originally due every May 1^st. The city announced that the 2022 deadline has been pushed to May 16, 2022.

For buildings specifically under the Washington DC and Washington state programs, notices containing compliance status will be arriving soon. The notice will either state that your report has been accepted, that no report has been filed, or that there are issues with your report. Any reporting issues or lack of a report, will need to be addressed immediately. It is pertinent that accurate Energy Benchmark reports are filed regardless of missed deadlines to avoid additional violations or penalties from accruing.

All entities with upcoming May and June deadlines still have 1-2 months left to file. Failure to file can result in written and/or monetary violations ranging from daily ($20-300/day) to one-time violations ($50-2,250). The entire filing process can take a minimum of 4-8 weeks to complete from start to finish. Of that time, 30 days alone can be spent working to obtain a building’s aggregate energy usage from its respective utility companies. With hefty fines in place, it’s highly encouraged that entities file early when possible. The longer you wait to file, the higher your chances of missing the deadline and receiving a violation becomes.

Vert Energy Group can help you avoid further and/or potential Benchmark violations when you register on our platform VertPro®. All it takes is 30 minutes – or less – to get started on your 2022 Energy Benchmark report. You’ll want to have the following information to get started: building address, building details (i.e., year built, gross floor area, property type), and a current copy of your utility statements. With that information on hand, log in to an existing VertPro® account or create a new one. Once in, you’ll add your property and complete the necessary authorizations using the utility statements. After that, our team of experts will take on the rest of the work to get your building into compliance. Head on over to VertPro.com to start filing and avoid violations. To speak to a representative, call us Monday-Friday 7 am-5 pm PST at (415) 912-1523 or email us at support@vertpro.com.

“The easiest way to save money is to waste less energy” – Barack Obama

Energy Audits and Retro-Commissioning (RCx)

Did you know that most commercial buildings lose 20-30% of their energy due to inefficiencies in the way they’re operated and maintained? A building Energy Audit is a great way to find out where your building is losing the most energy and can help identify ways to save. Retro-Commissioning (RCx) can also be an effective way to reduce energy consumption in existing buildings, by optimizing systems and controls. Some cities and states require entities to perform Energy Audits and RCx reports in addition to their annual Energy Benchmarks. This is to help building owners and managers gain a full understanding of the building’s energy performance.

While the typical timeframe to complete annual Benchmarks is 4-8 weeks, an Audit and RCx can take substantially longer as more work is involved. Part of the Audit and RCx process entails on-site inspections to be conducted by licensed professionals (LP). A minimum of one on-site inspection is required to gather information on the building. Depending on the complexity and size of the building, additional on-site visits will be needed to get a full scope of the building and its systems and equipment. Any missing information can cause inaccurate reporting and delay the process of filing.

With the ongoing pandemic, many buildings have undergone operational/staffing changes which can make scheduling the necessary site visits difficult. To ensure accurate and timely filing, we highly encourage all entities to begin the Audit and RCx process sooner rather than later. Not only will early filing ensure compliance and prevent potential penalties, but it will also help entities start seeing energy costs savings. For buildings in NYC that are required to comply with Local Law 33 (LL33), these energy savings can help bring your building’s LL33 grade up sooner than if you were to hold off on conducting an Energy Audit. Visit VertPro.com/Audits to get immediate help for your building’s Energy Audit and RCx project.

For buildings in NYC that are required to comply with Local Law 33 (LL33), these energy savings can help bring your building’s LL33 grade up sooner than if you were to hold off on conducting an Energy Audit. To get your bids now visit VertPro.com/NYC-LL97/

“The first thing we can do as individuals and as communities, like a school or a university or a church, is cut our energy use. Do an energy audit or measure our carbon footprint.” – Katharine Hayhoe

VertPro® Subscription Services Available Now

When it comes to saving money on your building operations, subscribing to services can be one of the best decisions you make. With the implementation of city and state Energy requirements, companies are looking at new additional costs to budget for. At Vert Energy Group, we understand that the costs can quickly add up if you’re not properly prepared. That’s why we offer two different Energy subscription plans: Energy Audit Subscription and 3-year Energy Benchmark Partnership. Through our Energy Audit Subscription, you’ll be able to split up your Energy Audit payment up into smaller payments to be paid over the course of 5-years instead of paying it all upfront. You even have the option to include your annual Benchmark payment to your Audit Subscription plan. Don’t have an Energy Audit coming up, but need to complete your annual Benchmark? Our 3-year Benchmark Partnership will lock your portfolio in at a discounted rate compared to our 1-year Benchmark users who are subject to year-to-year price increases. As of this writing, our current rates are: $295/year under the 3-year Benchmark Partnership and $375 under the 1-Year Benchmark plan. Go to VertPro.com/Audits to enroll in in Audit Subscription and VertPro.com to begin a 3-year Benchmark Partnership. For further information, contact us at (415) 912-1523 or support@vertpro.com.

Fun Fact: When April Fools began in France, paper fish are stuck to people’s backs symbolizing a person being gullible like fish who gets caught easily.

April Fools

Ready to be pranked? Whether you’re pranking or being pranked, there’s no shortage of tricks to be found every April Fools – especially with big companies joining in the fun. From a company standpoint, April Fools is a great way to get your target audience involved and at your door in a fun way. One example would be the 1998 Burger King ad for the “Left-Handed Whopper.” Though diners couldn’t purchase the “Left-Handed Whopper” it nonetheless got them to Burger King where they most likely purchased another meal instead. Like any prank though, companies should be careful about their execution of it. Google is notorious for its participation in April Fools – a throwback to when they let us play Ms. Pac-Man on Google Maps in 2017 – not all have landed well. In 2016, Google’s prank left many users unhappy. The prank involved a new Gmail button – “Send + Mic Drop” – that when clicked sent a gif of the minion character from Despicable Me to the recipient. Many users accidentally clicked this button when replying to work-related emails subsequently unintentionally sending their bosses, colleagues, clients, etc. the minion gif when not appropriate. Google ended up having to pull the feature early and issue a mass apology. This failed prank served as a good learning experience for all companies looking to join in on the April Fools fun. It can also serve as a good reminder for everyone to run a test run before fully launching an idea. But that’s just our opinion.

Danielle’s Corner

National Brunch Month All my brunch lovers rejoice – April is National Brunch Month! I feel like anything can be a “National something Month” these days, but as a brunch lover, I’m not complaining. Don’t let the April showers dampen your vibe. Hit up your favorite indoor brunch spot or do your own little fun brunch spread at home. Nothing says you need to spend $15 on avocado toast at that cute café down the road – but if that’s what you want don’t let me stop you. Below is a link to some of my favorite treats recipes – courtesy of Good Housekeeping – to whip up for my family and friends when I want to host an impromptu brunch:

For those with a sweet tooth: PB Chocolate Sheet Pan Pancake and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Something savory: Breakfast Tacos and Green Eggs and Ham ‘Wiches
Coffee Lovers: Hazelnut Mocha Frappé

Whether you feel like cooking at home or going out, be sure to treat yourself to a much-deserved brunch! I know I will.

Search by Zip to Find Applicable Energy Laws

There are over 30 cities/states with Energy Benchmark requirements – 16 have Energy Audit requirements as well! Use this free tool to check if your building has an upcoming Energy Benchmark or Energy Audit deadline.

April 6, 2022

2022 Energy Benchmarking Best Practices & Evolving Requirements

Navigating the Energy Benchmarking World

As of the start of 2022, ENERGY STAR’s website reflects over 40 different existing Energy Benchmark programs in the United States. With 40+ Energy programs nationwide, it can feel like you’re in a maze trying to identify and meet your building’s specific requirements. When it comes to determining your exact Energy Benchmark program there are three common details you’ll need to know: location, property type, and size. Once you’ve taken those three factors into account, you’ll know if you’re required to file, to whom, and by when.

First up, location. It is important to note that in a single state, there can be both local and statewide Energy Benchmark programs. In most cases where there is a city and state program, the city’s program will take priority over the state’s program. Only in some cases will the state’s Benchmark precede over the cities. Two common reasons this can occur is either the city has not yet added the property to their program, or the building meets the state’s requirements but not the city’s. The following is a list of all existing state programs and whether there is also a local Energy Benchmark programs as well*:

State	City and State Benchmark?
Alabama	No
California	Yes
Colorado	Yes
Connecticut	Yes
Delaware	No
Michigan	No
New Jersey	No
New Mexico	No
New York	Yes
Ohio	Yes
Oregon	Yes
Pennsylvania	Yes
Texas	Yes
Virginia	No
Washington	Yes
West Virginia	Yes

*Note: Again, the above list is not a comprehensive list of all existing Energy Benchmark programs in the U.S. It is just a list of programs where both state and local programs exist. There are local programs that do not have programs at the state level.

As each Benchmark program is different, knowing the gross floor area (GFA sq. ft.) and property type will further narrow down your requirements. Some Benchmark programs apply to all properties over a certain GFA, while others are only applicable to certain property types such as commercial and/or multifamily. Once you’ve determined your local and/or state program, you’ll want to see if those programs apply to your property type. If it does, then you will use your building’s GFA as the deciding factor. Typically, the local and state programs will have slightly different GFA requirements with local programs having lower GFA (sq. ft.) requirements. This helps make differentiating between the two programs easier for building owners. This doesn’t mean that all local and state programs will have different minimum GFA requirements – there are some with the same size requirements. As previously mentioned, when this occurs your property will most likely file to its local Energy Benchmark program unless the local level does not pertain to your property type (i.e., manufacturing) or has not yet added your building to their list.

Knowing your deadline requirements doesn’t necessarily mean filing will be straightforward. With over 10 years of experience filing, our experts have seen our fair share of common mistakes by building owners trying to file on their own. This is especially the case when there is no prior knowledge of Energy Benchmarks and in new and upcoming programs. Let Vert Energy Group help you. On March 15^th at 10 am PST, we are offering a group webinar session for building owners and property managers to learn more about the various nationwide Energy Benchmark requirements. During the session, you’ll get a crash course on Benchmarking requirements and pitfalls, get answers to all your pressing questions, and see just how easy filing can be when working with us. Spots are limited so you’ll want to act fast. Click here to claim a spot before they’re all gone.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing” – Walt Disney

Upcoming 2022 Energy Benchmark Deadlines

Spring is right around the corner and so are the spring Energy Benchmark deadlines. From April 1^st through May 20^th, there are 13 different Energy Benchmarks programs due. Three out of those 13 programs are due on April 1^st – that’s just a month away. Below is a chart of the fast-approaching spring deadlines:

April Deadlines
City	Deadline
San Francisco Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance (SF EBO)	April 1, 2022
Washington Clean & Affordable Energy Act of 2008 (Washington, DC)	April 1, 2022
Washington State Senate Bill 5854 (SB5854)	April 1, 2022
May Deadlines
City	Deadline
Cambridge Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance	May 1, 2022
Kansas City Energy Empowerment Ordinance	May 1, 2022
New York City Local Law 84 (NYC LL84)	May 1, 2022
Orlando Building Energy & Water Efficiency Strategy (Ordinance 2016-64)	May 1, 2022
Portland Energy & Water Use Performance Benchmarking Ordinance (Maine)	May 1, 2022
Saint Louis Building Energy Awareness Bill	May 1, 2022
Salt Lake City Elevate Buildings	May 1, 2022
San Jose Energy & Water Building Performance Ordinance (SJ BPO)	May 1, 2022
Boston Energy Reporting & Disclosure Ordinance	May 15, 2022
Chula Vista Building Energy Saving Ordinance	May 20, 2022

If you have properties in San Francisco, Washington DC, and Washington State and have not yet begun your reports by now, you’re cutting it extremely close to the April 1st deadline. Even for all other programs with late April through May deadlines, you don’t want to wait till the last minute to start. Much of the filing process is reliant on the cooperation of the utility companies’ ability to process data requests. It can take approximately utility companies anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to complete a single data request. The closer the deadline gets we expect that the utilities will see an influx of requests that can potentially back up their processing times. The longer you wait to file, the higher your chances of receiving potential violations for noncompliance gets.

Avoid noncompliance by signing up with VertPro® today. Simply register on VertPro.com and add your property to get started. Our experts recommend having copies of your utility bills on hand to help complete your VertPro® registration. All returning clients can login to continue to your 2022 VertPro dashboard. For any questions or help getting started, call us Monday-Friday 7 am-5 pm PST at (415) 912-1523 or email us at support@vertpro.com. Our team of experts is ready to help you file.

“Getting the right people in the right jobs is a lot more important than developing a strategy.” – Jack Welch

Finding the Right Contractor

It’s not news that upgrades and improvements are beneficial to a property. Upgrading a building’s features helps with a multitude of things depending on the project. Common benefits seen from upgrades include occupant safety and satisfaction, long-term savings, increased market value, compliance with city and state laws, etc. It’s one thing to plan a building improvement, but it’s another thing to execute it. Finding the right contractor is key to ensuring your vision is carried out. Whether you’re looking to start a new building upgrade or continue an already ongoing project, Vert Energy Group can help. From roofing, plumbing, asphalt, balconies, upgrades, turnkey projects, new construction, interior fit-outs, site improvements, renovations, and everything in between we’ll find you the right general contractor. All you need to do is post your project on VertPro® Upgrades and then sit back and relax while we do the rest. Our team of experts will research and compile a list of bids from eligible and suitable contractors to take on your project. From there you’ll have your pick of the lot and be one step closer to seeing your project come to fruition. Post your upcoming general project on VertPro® Upgrades today and start getting bids.

Fun Fact: Leprechauns may be associated with Saint Patrick’s Day, but they have their own holiday – Leprechaun Day – which falls on May 13^th each year.

Luck of the Irish

Saint Patrick’s Day was once a celebration honoring Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick, and has since become a day to celebrate the Irish culture. Since the popularization of Saint Patrick’s Day, there has been less focus on Saint Patrick and more on the mythical creatures from Irish folklore, leprechauns. In Irish folklore, leprechauns are depicted as little people the fairies would pay in gold coins to fix their shoes. Leprechauns would keep these coins in hidden large pots so that no one could find them. Legends state that the reason no one can find a leprechaun’s pot of gold is that it is at the end of a rainbow and since rainbows never end it will never be found. Some say that if you’re able to catch a leprechaun, you can try to coerce it into revealing the hiding spot. Tread lightly though as leprechauns are notorious tricksters that you don’t want to be on the wrong side of should they decide to use their magic for evil intentions.

Danielle’s Corner

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

In 1987, President Ronald Regan proclaimed that March would be Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month. According to the CDC, developmental disabilities include – but are not limited to – ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, hearing loss and/or vision impairment, intellectual and/or learning disability, and other developmental delays. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that “one in six, or about 17%, of children” between 3-17 years old have developmental disabilities. To help raise awareness surrounding the American developmental disabilities community the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) spearhead a joint social media campaign each March. Through the campaign, the organizations work to highlight the communities needs and potential contributions. The imagery for 2022’s campaign features artwork from individuals in the developmental disabilities community while the actual campaign shares stories from those with and without disabilities and their experiences. While it’s already the end of the month, it’s not too late to view this year’s submissions. Head on over to NACDD’s Facebook or twitter – both @NACDD – or search the following #DDawareness2022, #DDAM2022, or #WorldsImagined to see all the amazing stories.

Search by Zip to Find Applicable Energy Laws

March 2, 2022

Kick Starting 2022

The Sooner the Better

Happy New Year! I know the year has only just begun and we’re all still winding down from the holiday festivities, but in the world of Energy, Benchmarking doesn’t wait for anyone. Whether you’re still milking that holiday vacation time or back at work, it doesn’t hurt to review your city and state deadlines. Most Benchmark deadlines don’t hit till summer, however, there are a select few programs with due dates as early as March. Here’s a quick breakdown of all the 2022 Benchmark deadlines:

March Deadlines
City	2022 Deadline
Building Energy & Water Scoring (Fort Collins, CO)	March 1st
April Deadlines
City	2022 Deadline
Reno Energy & Water Efficiency Program (Ordinance 7068)	April 1st
Saint Louis Building Energy Awareness Bill	April 1st
San Francisco Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance (SF EBO)	April 1st
Washington Clean & Affordable Energy Act of 2008 (Washington, DC)	April 1st
Washington State Senate Bill 5854 (SB5854)	April 1st
Portland Commercial Building Energy Reporting (Oregon)	April 22nd
May Deadlines
City	2022 Deadline
Cambridge Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance	May 1st
Des Moines Energy & Water Benchmarking Ordinance	May 1st
Kansas City Energy Empowerment Ordinance	May 1st
New York City Local Law 84 (NYC LL84)	May 1st
Orlando Building Energy & Water Efficiency Strategy (Ordinance 2016-64)	May 1st
Portland Energy & Water Use Performance Benchmarking Ordinance (Maine)	May 1st
Salt Lake City Elevate Buildings	May 1st
San Jose Energy & Water Building Performance Ordinance (SJ BPO)	May 1st
Boston Energy Reporting & Disclosure Ordinance	May 15th
Chula Vista Building Energy Saving Ordinance	May 20th
June Deadlines
City	2022 Deadline
Atlanta Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance	June 1st
Austin Energy Conservation Audit & Disclosure (ECAD) Ordinance	June 1st
Boulder Building Performance Efficiency Ordinance	June 1st
California Assembly Bill 802 (CA AB802)	June 1st
Chicago Building Energy Use Benchmarking Ordinance	June 1st
Denver Commercial & Multifamily Building Benchmarking	June 1st
Los Angeles Energy & Water Efficiency (LA EBEWE)	June 1st
Minneapolis Commercial Building Rating & Disclosure Ordinance	June 1st
Montgomery County Building Energy Benchmarking Law	June 1st
Pittsburgh Building Benchmarking Ordinance	June 1st
San Diego Building Energy Benchmark Ordinance	June 1st
Evanston Building Energy & Water Use Benchmarking Ordinance	June 30th
Philadelphia Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance	June 30th
July Deadlines
City	2022 Deadline
Berkeley Building Energy Saving Ordinance	July 1st
Ontario Reporting of Energy Consumption & Water Use	July 1st
Seattle Council Bill 116731 (CB116731)	July 1st
Voluntary/TBD
City	2022 Deadline
Miami Dade Building Efficiency 305 (BE305)	TBD
Cincinnati Kilowatt Crackdown	Voluntary
Columbus Energy Challenge	Voluntary
Houston Green Office Challenge	Voluntary
New Jersey State Law A3723	Voluntary
New Orleans Building Energy Benchmarking	Voluntary
Sustainable Providence (Providence, RI)	Voluntary
Energize Saint Paul (Saint Paul, MN)	Voluntary

If you have a property in any of the cities/states with spring deadlines, it’s important to begin the Benchmark process ASAP. Pre-pandemic, the Benchmark process could take anywhere from 4-7 weeks to complete. That time has increased due to two main factors:

1. Work from home policies: many companies still have WFH policies which can prolong the process of getting the necessary forms completed. This especially impacts property management that leases spaces out to multiple tenants who pay their own utilities.
2. Utility companies: some utility companies have used the past two years of the pandemic trying to update their systems. Things like authorization forms, verifications, and online portals have been slightly altered thus resulting in either long request times and/or the need to submit updated requests to push the data through existing requests.

With that information in mind, the sooner you begin working on your Benchmarks, the higher chance you have of meeting the deadline no matter how soon or late in the year yours is. If you haven’t yet begun your 2022 Benchmark report, our Benchmark team is happy and ready to help. To get started today, head on over to VertPro.com. For returning customers, you will want to log in to your existing VertPro account, review your 2022 dashboard and make any necessary changes/updates (i.e., add/remove properties and update authorization forms). New customers will need to register and set up their portfolios (adding properties and completing necessary authorizations). For any questions or immediate assistance, you can contact our team at (415) 912-1523 or support@vertpro.com.

Fun Fact: ENERGY STAR Certified buildings contribute 35% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to non-ENERGY STAR Certified buildings. – ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR Certification (ESC) – The Little Blue Label

When you go shopping for appliances it’s not uncommon to see a little blue label indicating the product is “ENERGY STAR Certified” and therefore more energy efficient. Now that same little blue label can be applied to buildings via ENERGY STAR Certification (ESC). Benchmarking a property is the steppingstone towards applying for an ESC, but there’s a lot more work involved (i.e., paperwork and site inspections). If qualified, the work involved in the application alone can be enough to deter you from applying. However, the financial benefits of being an ENERGY STAR Certified building alone is hard to beat. From a financial perspective, being ENERGY STAR Certified can help you save and earn money in the long run. According to ENERGY STAR, ESC buildings use an average of 35% less energy compared to similar non-ESC buildings. That means an ESC office building alone could “cost $0.50 less per square foot to operate” in comparison to non-ESC offices. In conjunction with lower operational costs, ESC buildings also see a higher net operating income and therefore a higher building valuation. This is important should you ever decide to sell your building as “numerous studies demonstrate a sale price premium of 1%-31% among energy-efficient buildings.” Even if you have no plans to sell your building, there are additional financial benefits as ENERGY STAR Certified buildings are noted as having higher occupancy – up to 10% – and rental rates – 3%-16% more. With lower operational costs and increased occupancy and rental numbers, you’re building could be saving and earning more money in the long run by simply being ENERGY STAR Certified. To view the full list of benefits of being an ENERGY STAR Certified building, I highly recommend checking out ENERGY STAR’s article here. To schedule a meeting to learn how Vert Energy Group can help you apply for the ESC, contact us at 800-585-2690 or email us.

Fun Fact: The construction industry contributes 4.1% – or approximately $790 billion – to the Unites States GDP. – Ain Sham Engineering Journal, Volume 12 Issue 1

Inflation and Your Building

When the pandemic first broke out, many countries closed their borders or took extra measures to ensure safety. We all saw in the news how exchange students had to quickly pack up and return home and we all felt the impact of our online orders now being back ordered and/or delayed. What many of us may not have realized, is the drastic impact these backorders and delays were having on the construction industry. A large portion of the U.S. construction materials (i.e., steel and stone) are imported. Basic supply and demand chains show that low supply and high demand will result in increased pricing. In a survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors (AGC), “bid prices and input costs have increased by 0.5% and 12.8% respectively since the onset of the pandemic.” Whenever you hire a contractor, you get a bid and then sign. The bids are based on the pricing of the materials. With the sudden increase in costs due to COVID-19, many contractors had to use part of their profits to cover the cost of the materials. Andy Choi from Marcum LLP states that “contractors (will need) to evaluate the existing costs and (consider) the possibility of a cost increase when bidding for a project” as the market is still facing shortages, delays, and high-priced materials. The more it costs the contractor to get your materials, the more it will cost you to hire. If you have any upcoming building projects and/or upgrades, Vert Energy Group can help you get bids. Get a free Energy Upgrade consultation with one of our Building Upgrades representatives here or post a project on VertPro.com/Bids.

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend” – Martin Luther King Jr

I Have a Dream…

Monday, January 17^thmarks the 39^th year since legislation officially made the third Monday of January a federal holiday to honor Martin Luther King Jr and all his achievements and influence during the Civil Rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr helped America to see that there were ways to discuss civil rights injustices and racism without resorting to violence. One of Martin Luther King Jr’s most notable demonstrations of nonviolent protest was the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. NobelPrize.org records that over the course of 382 days, Martin Luther King Jr and the African American community boycotted the Montgomery bus system until their demands for the abolition of segregation on buses were met. In the years following the 1955 bus boycott and until his assassination in 1968, Martin Luther King Jr traveled all over to speak on injustices that the African American community faced. During this time, he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the march on Washington D.C. in 1963. Between all the monumental work that Martin Luther King Jr did during his time and his inspirational “I Have a Dream” speech reminds us to practice love and compassion in our everyday lives. It reminds us to seek and strive for equality for all and peace no matter our differences. As Martin Luther King Jr said, “it takes empathy, patience, and compassion to overcome anger, hatred, and resentment” – a testament that is applicable not just on the third Monday each January, but to every day.

Danielle’s Corner

New Year’s Resolutions Happy New Year! Time to get those New Year’s resolutions and yearly goals made. I personally find setting goals helps me stick to my resolutions. This year I have three main resolutions: read more, reduce my impact on the environment, and be more energy-efficient. To keep me accountable I’m setting goals for each “category.” Every year I try to up my book read quota so that’s nothing new. I think the more challenging resolutions are to reduce my environmental impact and become energy efficient. I’m apartment hunting and one of the things I’ve added to my “wish list” is a place with Energy Star Certified (ESC) appliances. According to SoCal Gas, washers alone use roughly 25% less energy and 33% less water than normal appliances so that’s about $370 I could be saving on utilities while being energy efficient. It’s a win-win in my book. On the off chance that I can’t find ESC apartments, I’ll be sure to switch out all the lighting that I can for LED options if they’re not already in place. To help lower my environmental impact, I’m planning on having plant-based or vegan meals at least once a week. According to the University of Oxford, you can reduce your carbon footprint from food by 73% just by cutting meat and dairy from your diet and by extension will help lower greenhouse gas emissions. I’m not ready to go 100% vegan just yet, but I’m more than willing to give up meat once or twice a week. It may not be a huge change, but it will be a good start. I’d love to know if you have any energy efficiency tips and/or good vegan recipes! Whatever your resolutions and goals are this years, I hope you’re able to reach them! You got this!

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January 5, 2022

Tag: Energy Star

Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking Process and Information

What Is Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking?

Who Should Comply With Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking?

Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking Process And Information

Requirements For Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking

Deadline For Los Angeles EBEWE Energy Benchmark Report

Penalty For Los Angeles EBEWE Energy Benchmarking Report

Benefits Of Los Angeles EBEWE Benchmarking

Things To Consider When Complying With Los Angeles Benchmarking

Conclusion

Energy Benchmarking Deadlines are Almost Here

“The easiest way to save money is to waste less energy” – Barack Obama

Energy Audits and Retro-Commissioning (RCx)

“The first thing we can do as individuals and as communities, like a school or a university or a church, is cut our energy use. Do an energy audit or measure our carbon footprint.” – Katharine Hayhoe

VertPro® Subscription Services Available Now

Fun Fact: When April Fools began in France, paper fish are stuck to people’s backs symbolizing a person being gullible like fish who gets caught easily.

April Fools

Danielle’s Corner

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2022 Energy Benchmarking Best Practices & Evolving Requirements

Navigating the Energy Benchmarking World

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing” – Walt Disney

Upcoming 2022 Energy Benchmark Deadlines

“Getting the right people in the right jobs is a lot more important than developing a strategy.” – Jack Welch

Finding the Right Contractor

Fun Fact: Leprechauns may be associated with Saint Patrick’s Day, but they have their own holiday – Leprechaun Day – which falls on May 13th each year.

Luck of the Irish

Danielle’s Corner

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Kick Starting 2022

The Sooner the Better

Fun Fact: ENERGY STAR Certified buildings contribute 35% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to non-ENERGY STAR Certified buildings. – ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR Certification (ESC) – The Little Blue Label

Fun Fact: The construction industry contributes 4.1% – or approximately $790 billion – to the Unites States GDP. – Ain Sham Engineering Journal, Volume 12 Issue 1

Inflation and Your Building

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend” – Martin Luther King Jr

I Have a Dream…

Danielle’s Corner

Search by Zip to Find Applicable Energy Laws

Fun Fact: Leprechauns may be associated with Saint Patrick’s Day, but they have their own holiday – Leprechaun Day – which falls on May 13^th each year.