Unlocking Energy Efficiency: The Path to Energy Star Certification
The blue ENERGY STAR symbol is easily one of the most recognizable and trusted symbols of energy efficiency. It’s also a certification program headed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which aims to transform how commercial buildings use energy and deliver environmental benefits.
While it’s most often seen on electronics and home appliances, commercial buildings can also seek ENERGY STAR certification. Unlike the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) certification, which focuses on sustainable and energy-efficient property design, the ENERGY STAR certification showcases a property owner’s commitment to energy-efficient utilities and infrastructure.
Eligibility Criteria
Before you can even apply for an ENERGY STAR rating, you need to get your building verified by either a Registered Architect (RA) or a Licensed Professional Engineer (LPE). This is to ensure that all energy use and sources in the building are accounted for, allowing for a more precise estimate of energy efficiency.
ENERGY STAR uses a flexible 1 - 100 rating system, where a score of 50 is the national median for commercial buildings. In order to qualify for certification, you’ll need to achieve an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher.
Steps to Achieve ENERGY STAR Certification
To avoid issues or delays, it’s important that you take the time to properly fill in your ENERGY STAR certification application using the resources available on the official website as needed.
Benchmark for the Desired Score
Sign up for ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to benchmark the energy use in your building. It uses the data available through your utilities to compare your energy performance to other buildings in the same category and gives you a 1 - 100 rating.
If you don’t obtain a score of 75 or higher, this is your chance to implement the necessary changes. You can take advantage of the software’s detailed reporting to identify the most energy-intensive part and implement the necessary changes.
Apply for Certification
Check our webinar The Value and the Future of ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager
Once you’re sure your building meets the criteria for an ENERGY STAR certification, you can proceed using the Portfolio Manager to submit your application for consideration. You’ll need to fill in categorical details about your building, including commercial activity type, occupant information, size, and location, in addition to 12 consecutive months of utility bills.
Once all relevant information is filled in, you can click on "Generate & Download Current Application for Professional Signatures" to obtain a complete copy of your application.
Get Verification
An in-person visit by an RA or LPE is needed to officially verify your report. They’ll make sure all energy consumption has been accounted for in the report, verify property details, and check that the infoor environmental quality is up to industry standards for air quality and illumination.
Exploring NextGen Certification
The ENERGY STAR NextGen certification holds commercial buildings to higher energy performance standards. To qualify for NextGen certification, you must first meet all the standard ENERGY STAR criteria, achieving a score of 75 or higher. In addition, your building’s on-site greenhouse gas emissions intensity (GHGi) needs to be equal to or less than 0.10 kg CO2e/ft2 (carbon dioxide equivalent emitted per square foot).
Furthermore, a minimum of 30% of the building’s total energy usage must come from renewable sources, like wind or solar energy. The NextGen certification is best combined with a BREEAM certification (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) to get the most out of environmentally conscious building design.
Benefits for Commercial Buildings
While the process for obtaining and maintaining ENERGY STAR certification can be long and tedious, there are many benefits to reap for commercial buildings, in particular.
Financial Benefits: Reducing the building’s energy consumption results in lower utility bills and energy costs. That’s because certified buildings use upwards of 35% less energy than the national median, with more savings the higher the score.
Environmental Benefits: Even with the standard ENERGY STAR certification, commercial buildings generate at least 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other buildings in the same range, resulting in a smaller environmental impact in the long run.
Market Benefits: Certified commercial buildings benefit from an increased property value. Not to mention, you can charge higher rents from tenants as cleaner environments boost employee productivity and reduce liability for the owner. This is particularly the case when combined with a Fitwel certification, which prioritizes wellness in design.
Continuous Improvement and Recertification
The ENERGY STAR certification for buildings is valid for one year, and you’d need to maintain or improve your score to renew your certification. However, note that the recertification process for certified buildings isn’t automatic, and you’ll need to resubmit your application and get it verified.
This approach to certification ensures businesses continue to improve their energy management and prioritize commercial sustainability as the ENERGY STAR certification requirements continue to evolve.
You can keep track of energy consumption in your building using the Internet of Things (IoT) devices. At Attune, we can help you integrate all tracking data into one easy-to-use platform, providing real-time monitoring for energy and air quality, which you can use when obtaining various certifications. Learn more about how we can help you embrace digital transformation.
ENERGY STAR Certification FAQ:
How to get a building ENERGY STAR certified?
Using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager software, start by benchmarking your building’s energy consumption, aiming for a score of 75 or higher. Then, you’ll need to get your data verified by a Licensed Professional Engineer (LPE) or Registered Architect (RA) before submitting it for consideration.
What is the minimum score for a building to qualify for ENERGY STAR certification?
A commercial building must earn a score of 75 or higher on the ENERGY STAR scale, meaning it performs better than 75% of similar buildings nationwide.
What buildings can be awarded with ENERGY STAR certification?
Most commercial buildings are eligible for ENERGY STAR certification. This includes office spaces, schools, warehouses, medical buildings, and retail stores, as long as there’s sufficient data on the building’s energy use to allow for accurate benchmarking.
