San Francisco Existing Buildings Energy Ordinance
What is San Francisco Existing Buildings Energy Ordinance?
San Francisco Existing Buildings Ordinance was introduced with the goal of Saving Energy & Reducing Emissions. This ordinance tackles climate change by targeting large buildings. Here’s how:
- Benchmarking: Buildings over a certain size track energy use annually.
- Energy Audits: Regular audits identify areas for improvement.
- Renewable Energy: The largest buildings must use 100% renewable sources.
This transparency empowers building owners to save money and make informed decisions. It also allows potential buyers to choose energy-efficient properties.
What buildings are required per San Francisco Existing benchmarking ordinance?
- Multifamily buildings over 50,000 square feet.
- Commercial buildings over 10,000 square feet.
Your building may qualify for an exemption from reporting if:
New buildings with a Certificate of Occupancy dated 2 years prior to the benchmarking deadline.
Buildings with less than one full-time occupant.
What is the penalty for non-compliance?
Non-compliant buildings face daily fines: $100 for those exceeding 50,000 sq. ft., $50 for smaller buildings. Both are capped at 25 days per year.
What is the compliance process?
San Francisco’s Building Energy Ordinance requires annual reporting via Energy Star Portfolio Manager, a free online tool. Here, you’ll submit your building’s energy consumption data and compare its efficiency to similar ones. Include your Assessor Parcel Number (APN) – like a block/lot number – for easy identification. This reporting and benchmarking fosters transparency and empowers informed decisions on your building’s energy use.
What is the deadline for San Francisco energy benchmarking ordinance?
San Francisco Environment Department requires that building owners annually submit their energy usage data using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool by May 1st.
What utilities are required for benchmarking reporting?
- Electricity
- Natural Gas
- District Energy
- Any other purchased fuel
What is the purpose for San Francisco Existing Buildings Energy Ordinance?
The San Francisco Existing Buildings Energy Ordinance has a two-pronged purpose aimed at combating climate change:
Reduce Energy Consumption: By requiring benchmarking and energy audits, the ordinance identifies areas where buildings can become more energy-efficient. This translates to lower overall energy use, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production.
Promote Transparency: Public access to building energy data allows for informed decision-making. Here’s how:
- Building Owners: Benchmarking data helps owners identify opportunities to save money on energy bills and potentially increase the value of their property by improving its efficiency.
- Potential Buyers & Tenants: Public access to energy data allows them to choose buildings that are more environmentally friendly and operate more efficiently, potentially leading to lower utility costs.
Overall, the San Francisco Existing Buildings Energy Ordinance aims to create a more sustainable built environment by encouraging energy efficiency and transparency in large commercial and multifamily residential buildings.
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: [email protected]