ENERGY STAR Certification

ENERGY STAR Certification is available to commercial properties whose energy use intensity (EUI) is better than 75% of similar properties, after accounting for property type, climate, and several other factors. This means that the building should receive an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher.

What is the benefit of ENERGY STAR Certification?

• Exemption form audit requirements: In many cities, regular energy audits are required for commercial buildings, however the audit requirement is waived for ENERGY STAR Certified buildings. For instance, in San Francisco the energy audit requirement is waived for buildings that have been ENERGY STAR certified in 3 of the past 5 years or achieved LEED for Existing Buildings certification in the past 5 years.

• Reduced operating cost: Energy STAR Certified buildings on average have 35% lower energy usage and energy cost compared to similar buildings.

• Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Due to the reduced energy use, ENERGY STAR Certified buildings have lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to similar non-certified properties.

• Higher rent and property value: ENERGY STAR Certified buildings can command higher rents and sale prices in the real estate market. The benchmarking laws that require transparency regarding energy usage and expenses help buildings with higher energy efficiency in the real estate market. (source)

• Eligibility for Federal Lease Contracts: Federal agencies are not to enter into a contract to lease space in a building that has not earned the ENERGY STAR label in the most recent year. (source)

What is Application Procedure for ENERGY STAR Certification? 

The first step is submitting an energy use report in Portfolio Manager. Buildings with an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher are eligible to apply for ENERGY STAR Certification. The application for buildings that meet the minimum score requirement needs to be verified and stamped by a Licensed Professional. At Dena Energy, we can guide you through the application process, and perform the necessary verifications to have your application finalized in a timely manner.