NJ Building Benchmarking Program

The State of New Jersey has established a benchmarking program to measure the energy and water performance of buildings. The program aims to increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase sustainability in commercial and multi-family buildings. 

Complying with the Building Benchmarking Law offers several additional benefits. By providing owners and operators with data on their energy and water usage patterns, and comparing it to similar buildings, they can identify areas for potential improvement which can reduce their environmental footprint while cutting operational costs. Annual benchmarking will help owners and operators see efficiency improvements and track changes in energy consumption over time. 

Commercial properties (class 4A) or apartments intended for five or more families (class 4C) over 25,000 square feet are required to benchmark their energy and water usage through the EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool by July 1, 2024 using data from the 2023 calendar year. There is a 90-day grace period for all building owners to complete benchmarking. Buildings that may meet these criteria but are operated as a Condominium or Co-op are not covered under this law. While it is not mandatory on condominium and co-op buildings, all buildings are welcome to participate in the program voluntarily. If you are unsure if your building is covered by this law, the state has compiled a list of covered buildings where you can search for your building. 

Navigating the ever-changing world of regulatory requirements can be a daunting task. We're here to help! Our team of Certified Building Benchmarkers are here to simplify the process for you and can provide guidance on data collection and reporting procedures. 

Our full-service team of engineers can design energy efficient upgrades to mechanical systems to help optimize energy and water efficiency in your buildings to help create healthier, more efficient buildings and communities, and a more sustainable New Jersey. 

If you have any questions or need assistance with compliance, please contact Becht today at 800.772.7991 or information@bechtbt.com to learn how we can assist you with your building’s benchmarking needs.