Expect no costs for in-house calculations or tracking and minimal costs when using a consultant to complete calculations using provided data.

Track any changes in occupancy or space uses, if any, to adjust Portfolio Manager inputs accordingly.

Closely monitor energy consumption and correct any conditions contributing to energy waste.

Continue entering monthly metering data into Portfolio Manager to update the building data.

Many state and federal agencies offer rebates or other financial incentives to companies that undertake energy-efficiency initiatives.

Pursuing commissioning through EAc2 will help identify energy-efficiency improvements, and will pay off particularly well in inefficient buildings.

Building owners can reduce overall operating costs by optimizing energy performance; many operational energy-efficiency improvements will provide instant or short-term paybacks.

If you initially get a low Energy Star score, start your process by identifying no- and low-cost operational changes to reduce energy consumption. If your building is an energy hog, it’s more likely that these opportunities will exist, and focusing on them to start with will help you go the distance. For instance, simply changing heating and cooling set points by one or two degrees and getting into the practice of turning off lights and office equipment when not in use will have dramatic effects on overall building energy use.

LEED defers to Energy Star practices and standards to generate a Portfolio Manager rating or score. Where questions arise regarding this score, review Energy Star technical guidance documents and contact Energy Star customer service to facilitate the process.

Energy metering data may be excluded for up to 10% of the building’s gross floor area if that space is sub-metered and used for an independent purpose unrelated to typical business operations, such as a cafeteria; or used as a computer data center.