CIMI Energy uses Energy Star Portfolio Manager as a benchmarking and assessment tool. Energy Star Portfolio Manager uses energy data, building size, weather data, building use information and more to determine the energy use intensity (EUI) of the building. It also benchmarks each building or campus of buildings against similar buildings (e.g. other churches, health clubs, banks, etc.). Energy Star Portfolio Manager has been used to rate tens of thousands of buildings, which gives it the critical mass necessary for useful benchmarks.
Energy Star Portfolio Manager provides a score between 1 and 100 based on how a building’s EUI compares with similar buildings. If your building is in the top 25% of its class, it qualifies for special recognition by Energy Star. This recognition is desirable for building owners and managers, as well as users or inhabitants. A good Energy Star score can also increase the value of the building.
In addition to energy use, the tool can also used to benchmark water use.
No matter what the score, CIMI Energy can identify and facilitate improvements. Improvements that reduce energy consumption will update the score. Many gas and power utilities are set up to automatically update consumption data directly into Energy Star Portfolio Manager. So you can monitor progress from your web browser anytime you log in.