Columbus Energy And Water Benchmarking Ordinance: A Guide For Building Owners
Understanding Columbus’s energy and water benchmarking requirements for commercial and multifamily buildings.
Understanding Columbus’s Building Performance Standards
Columbus has implemented the Energy And Water Benchmarking Ordinance as part of its broader climate and sustainability efforts. This policy requires large commercial and multifamily buildings to track and report their annual energy and water usage, allowing the city to monitor performance trends and encourage efficiency improvements.
For businesses and property owners, compliance with this ordinance is both a regulatory requirement and an opportunity to lower energy costs, improve building performance, and contribute to Columbus’s climate goals.
Who Must Comply With Columbus’s Benchmarking Ordinance?
The ordinance applies to:
- Commercial and multifamily buildings that are 50,000 square feet or larger.
- City-owned buildings that are 25,000 square feet or larger.
Smaller buildings are currently exempt, but owners should stay informed about potential policy updates.
Key Compliance Requirements For Columbus’s Benchmarking Ordinance
1. Annual Energy & Water Benchmarking and Reporting
Building owners must track and report annual energy and water consumption using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a widely used tool for benchmarking energy performance.
The benchmarking process includes:
- Collecting 12 months of energy and water usage data from utility providers.
- Entering the data into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to generate a performance score.
- Submitting the benchmarking report to the City of Columbus by June 1 each year.
2. Public Disclosure of Energy & Water Use
Columbus makes a subset of the collected benchmarking data publicly available, encouraging market-driven improvements in energy efficiency. Public access to this data helps:
- Property owners and tenants make informed decisions about building energy performance.
- The city track progress toward its climate action goals.
3. Data Verification (Recommended But Not Mandatory)
The city encourages property owners to periodically verify data accuracy to ensure compliance and identify opportunities for energy and water savings.
Compliance Deadlines & Reporting Schedule
The annual benchmarking report is due June 1 of each year.
Building owners who fail to comply with the ordinance may face fines or increased oversight by the city.
How To Achieve Compliance
1. Determine If Your Building Is Covered
First, confirm if your building meets the 50,000 square foot threshold for commercial and multifamily buildings or the 25,000 square foot threshold for city-owned buildings.
2. Gather Energy & Water Data
Collect energy and water usage data for the previous 12 months from your utility providers. Ensure data includes all energy sources, such as electricity, natural gas, and steam.
3. Input Data Into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
Log into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and enter:
- Building information (square footage, occupancy, use type).
- Monthly energy and water consumption data.
- Any renewable energy generation (such as on-site solar).
4. Submit The Benchmarking Report
Ensure your data is accurate and submit your annual report before the June 1 deadline.
How Benchmarking Improves Building Performance
Complying with Columbus’s ordinance provides benefits beyond avoiding penalties. It helps building owners and managers:
- Identify inefficiencies: Benchmarking provides a data-driven view of energy and water use, helping owners target high-cost areas for improvement.
- Reduce operating costs: Lowering energy and water use can lead to substantial savings on utility bills.
- Improve asset value: Energy-efficient buildings attract tenants and increase property value.
- Enhance sustainability: Reducing energy and water consumption lowers greenhouse gas emissions and aligns with Columbus’s climate goals.
Strategies For Energy Efficiency and Compliance
1. Conduct An Energy & Water Audit
Energy audits help identify areas for improvement, such as:
- HVAC system upgrades for better efficiency.
- LED lighting retrofits to reduce electricity consumption.
- Water-saving fixtures to lower water use.
2. Optimize Building Operations
- Use smart thermostats and automated HVAC controls to reduce energy waste.
- Schedule equipment maintenance to ensure systems are running efficiently.
- Train staff and tenants on energy and water conservation practices.
3. Transition To Renewable Energy
- Install solar panels to generate on-site renewable energy.
- Purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset electricity use.
- Explore battery storage solutions to manage energy demand.
4. Implement Electrification Strategies
As cities move toward phasing out fossil fuels, building owners should consider:
- Replacing gas-powered heating and water systems with electric alternatives.
- Using heat pumps for heating and cooling.
- Exploring all-electric kitchens in commercial and multifamily properties.
Financial Incentives & Assistance Programs
Columbus offers several programs to support building owners in compliance and energy efficiency efforts, including:
- Utility Rebates: AEP Ohio and Columbia Gas offer rebates for lighting, HVAC, and building retrofits.
- PACE Financing: The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program provides low-interest financing for energy efficiency upgrades.
- Water Conservation Incentives: Rebates for low-flow plumbing fixtures and leak detection systems.
Taking advantage of these programs can help offset compliance costs and accelerate return on investment.
Why Compliance Matters For Building Owners
Meeting the requirements of the Columbus Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance is more than just a regulatory obligation it is a strategic investment in building performance.
- Lower Energy Costs: Data from benchmarking can uncover waste and inefficiencies, leading to cost savings.
- Increased Property Value: Energy-efficient buildings command higher rents and attract sustainability-minded tenants.
- Regulatory Risk Reduction: Avoiding fines ensures smooth building operations.
- Sustainability Leadership: Businesses that comply demonstrate corporate responsibility and contribute to Columbus’s climate goals.
What Should Building Owners Do Next?
If your building falls under Columbus’s Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance, take these immediate steps:
- Verify if your property is required to comply.
- Collect and track your energy and water data.
- Benchmark your performance using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
- Submit your annual benchmarking report before June 1.
- Implement energy efficiency measures to improve performance.
- Explore available incentives for energy and water conservation.
By acting now, you can ensure compliance, reduce costs, and enhance your building’s sustainability.
