1. Building Performance with Benchmarking
November 29, 2016

2. Viridiant and EarthCraft

3. Presentation Overview
What is benchmarking?
Why do we benchmark buildings?
Benchmarking case studies

4. What is Benchmarking? What you need: Energy data, water data
Basic building characteristics
Standardized metric
Building(s) to compare to
EUI
energy use/sq ft/year

5. Why do we benchmark buildings?
Resident Benefits:
Product Transparency - knowledge to make informed decisions
Close the energy bill “information gap”
Source:

6. Why do we benchmark buildings?
Owner Benefits:
Managing Operating Costs ($)
Budget planning/tracking ($)
Retrofit m&v ($)
Marketing ($)
Future Utility Incentive Alignment ($)

7. Why do we benchmark buildings?
Designer/Builder/Owner Benefits:
Quality control mechanism to calibrate their “Program”
Hold contractors accountable
Marketing/Case Studies
Solid numbers to seek additional funding

8. Why do we benchmark buildings?
Designer/Builder Benefits:
Quality control mechanism

9. Quantitative Benefits: Utility Savings for Residents
The Impact of Energy Efficient Design and Construction on LIHTC Housing in Virginia1
Policy Efficacy
Quantitative Benefits: Utility Savings for Residents
Qualitative Benefits: Thermal Comfort, Education, etc.
1Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR), Virginia Tech, The Impact of Energy Efficient Design and Construction on LIHTC Housing in Virginia, Contract Report submitted to Housing Virginia, Richmond, VA. Retrieved January 15, 2016, from

10. Project Sample
Source:

11. Executive Takeaways
VHDA’s goal of promoting affordability via green building is working.
Energy usage for developments in the study is 16.6% less than estimated and approximately 30% less than new standard construction. Based on an energy rate of $.1167/ kWh for the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2014 ( savings equal $54 per month on average, $648/year.
Variability in predicted vs. observed energy consumption.
Apartments are (generally) more affordable, comfortable and residents are more satisfied and have lower utility bills (compared to previous housing).
Value in 3rd party verification.
Disconnect between resident education and owners.
1Virginia Center for Housing Research (VCHR), Virginia Tech, The Impact of Energy Efficient Design and Construction on LIHTC Housing in Virginia, Contract Report submitted to Housing Virginia, Richmond, VA. Retrieved January 15, 2016, from

12. U.S. Building Benchmarking and Transparency Policies
State vs. local efforts
Mandatory vs. Incentive-based efforts
Source: The Benefits of Benchmarking Building Performance (2015)