Atlanta Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance

What is Atlanta Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance ?

Atlanta Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance requires municipal and commercial buildings to report their whole-building energy consumption to the city on annual basis. Atlanta Energy Benchmarking ordinance started in late 2014.

What buildings are required per Atlanta Energy Benchmarking ordinance?

  • Municipal buildings above 10,000 square feet
  • Commercial and residential buildings above 25,000 square feet

Also, once every 10 years, your building will be required to undergo an energy audit.

Your building may qualify for an exemption from reporting if:

  • The building did not have a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy for the given year

  • A demolition permit was issued and demolition of the building has commenced

  • For multifamily housing only, if electricity data aggregation isn’t available and there is no master meter

  • For commercial buildings only, if electricity data aggregation isn’t available, there is no master meter, and the owner isn’t responsible for operating or maintaining equipment

  • Financial hardship

  • No utility services

What is the penalty for non-compliance?

If violators are more than 30 days late, they will receive a written warning. If the building remains noncompliant for another 30 days, it will be required to pay a fine of $1,000, with additional fines of $1,000 for subsequent noncompliant years.

What is the benchmarking compliance process?

Building owners must report their energy usage data to Energy Star Portfolio Manager, a reporting tool that allows building owners to compare their building’s energy efficiency with similar buildings.

What is the deadline for Atlanta Commercial Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance Compliance?

Commercial and residential buildings greater than 25,000 square feet must submit their report by June 1st.

What utilities are required for benchmarking reporting?

  • Water
  • Electricity
  • Natural Gas
  • District Energy
  • Any other purchased fuel

What is the purpose for Atlanta benchmarking ordinance?

The ordinance is a component of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability initiative aimed at diminishing the city’s carbon footprint and fostering job creation. Its objective is to drive a 20% decrease in energy consumption from commercial buildings by 2030, generating over 1000 jobs in the initial years, and achieving a 50% reduction in emissions compared to 2013 levels by 2030.

Interested in benchmarking help?

    If you are interested to learn more how Energy Fave can help with Energy benchmarking for your building or if you have more questions about the whole reporting process, feel free to email us: Info@energyfave.com