Core Definitions

What Are Energy Benchmarking Services?

Energy benchmarking is the process of measuring your building's energy and water consumption, then comparing it against similar buildings using the EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. It gives building owners and property managers a clear, data-backed picture of where their building stands — and what it takes to improve.

As cities and states across the U.S. continue to strengthen their building performance standards, professional energy benchmarking services are no longer optional — they're a regulatory requirement for thousands of commercial, multifamily, and institutional buildings.

With 16 years of experience and over 3,000 buildings benchmarked across New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, and beyond, The Cotocon Group handles the entire process — from data collection to final submission — so you don't have to.

Strategic Value

Why Your Building Needs a Trusted Energy Benchmarking Service

Most building owners know they need to benchmark — but many underestimate how much is at risk by missing deadlines, submitting inaccurate data, or leaving performance improvements unaddressed. Here's what a professional energy benchmarking service actually delivers:

Regulatory Compliance — Without the Fines

Dozens of U.S. cities now mandate annual energy benchmarking under local ordinances. Non-compliance can result in thousands of dollars in penalties. Our team tracks every deadline across every jurisdiction we serve, so nothing slips through.

Improved ENERGY STAR Score

Benchmarking isn't just a checkbox — it positions your property for ENERGY STAR Certification, which has been shown to increase occupancy rates, property value, and tenant satisfaction.

Lower Operating Costs

Benchmarking data reveals where your building is underperforming. We translate that data into clear, actionable recommendations that reduce utility bills and operational waste.

Stronger Asset Performance

Investors, lenders, and tenants increasingly evaluate energy performance metrics. A strong benchmark score signals a well-managed, future-ready asset.

Process & Workflow

How Our Building Energy Benchmarking Compliance Services Work

We've streamlined the benchmarking process into a clear, hands-on workflow — so you always know what's happening and what's next.

01 Building Assessment & Data Collection

We gather all relevant utility data — electricity, gas, steam, oil, and water — directly from your utility providers or bills. We verify square footage, occupancy types, and operating hours to ensure accurate inputs from the start.

02 ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Entry & Verification

Our certified energy professionals enter your building data into the EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, cross-check for errors, and ensure every metric is accurately represented before submission.

03 Compliance Filing

We submit your benchmarking report to the appropriate local authority — whether that's NYC's LL84, Chicago's EUBO, Boston's BERDO, or any other city-specific mandate — and provide written confirmation of submission.

04 Performance Analysis & Path Forward

Compliance is the starting point. We analyze your results, benchmark you against peer buildings, and provide a clear roadmap for improving your ENERGY STAR score — whether through energy audits, retro-commissioning, or our full LL97 and decarbonization services.

Why Choose Us

Why Building Owners Across the U.S. Choose The Cotocon Group

Since 2008, The Cotocon Group has been one of the most trusted names in building energy compliance in the United States. We serve commercial, multifamily, healthcare, education, and mixed-use properties with an integrated approach to audits, compliance, and decarbonization.

16 years of benchmarking and energy compliance experience
3,000+ buildings benchmarked across the U.S.
Certified energy professionals with deep knowledge of ENERGY STAR protocols
End-to-end service — from data collection to filing to performance improvement
Multi-city expertise covering NYC LL84, LL97, BERDO, EUBO, and more
Serving commercial, multifamily, healthcare, education, and mixed-use properties
Integrated with our broader energy audit, decarbonization, and LEED/ENERGY STAR certification services

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between benchmarking and an energy audit?

Benchmarking measures your building's overall energy use and generates an ENERGY STAR score. An energy audit goes deeper — identifying the specific systems and equipment responsible for inefficiencies. Benchmarking is the starting point; an audit is the next step toward meaningful savings.

Is energy benchmarking required for my building?

It depends on your building's size and location. Most U.S. cities require annual benchmarking for buildings over 25,000–50,000 sq ft. Our team can determine your compliance obligations quickly, at no cost.

What cities do you serve?

We work with building owners across New York City, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and other jurisdictions with active benchmarking mandates. If your city has a benchmarking requirement, we can help.

How long does the benchmarking process take?

For most buildings, we complete data collection, Portfolio Manager entry, and compliance filing within 2–3 weeks. Expedited services are available for buildings approaching deadlines.

What is a good ENERGY STAR score?

ENERGY STAR scores range from 1–100. A score of 50 represents average performance; 75 or above qualifies a building for ENERGY STAR Certification. We help every client understand their score and build a clear path toward improvement.

Can you help us improve our score after filing?

Yes — post-benchmarking performance improvement is one of our core strengths. Through energy audits, retro-commissioning, and our full decarbonization services, we help buildings raise their scores and reduce energy intensity year over year.

Data-Driven Energy Insights

Benchmarking Compliance Services

New York City

NYC Local Law 84 and Local Law 133

Benchmarking Compliance

Find out where your building energy use stands with our expert benchmarking services.

Professional Energy Benchmarking Services for USA Commercial Buildings