Maryland Energy Benchmarking Compliance
Benchmarking is the reporting of energy and water data to the city, county, or state government. The purpose is to give them a tool for diagnosing inefficient buildings. This will allow them to better tailor local policies to improve building performance like Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). This is a critical step in creating a clean energy economy.
As required by the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, commercial and multifamily buildings in Maryland that are 35,000 square feet or larger must submit benchmarking reports to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The first benchmarking report, covering data from January 1 to December 31, 2024, is due by June 1, 2025. Reports must be submitted annually thereafter, with the goal of tracking energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to support Maryland’s long-term environmental targets.
Annual Deadline:
June 1st
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
$100 per day, from the deadline up until the report is submitted to MDE.
Ensure Compliance with Ease
Don’t let the complexities of mandated energy benchmarking stress you out. Reach out to us at Honeydew Energy Advisors, and let our experienced team handle everything for you. We’re currently benchmarking hundreds of buildings in different municipalities in the DMV region, and we take our work seriously because we understand how crucial it is to have an accurate depiction of your building’s efficiency.
We’ll ensure your building is in compliance well before the deadline, saving you time and avoiding costly penalties. Contact us today to get started!
Why Choose Us?
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Certified
- Energy Star Partner
- Locally Based in Maryland
- Currently benchmarking hundreds of buildings in different municipalities
- Close collaboration with Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) staff
- Proven track record of submitting energy benchmarking and verification reports to the City/County/State ahead of deadlines
- Competitive energy benchmarking fees
Energy Benchmarking Reporting
All data must be entered through Energy Star’s Portfolio Manager, which is facilitated through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This software requires you to identify various aspects of your property, including:
- Property type
- Gross floor area
- Number of workers/residents
- Appliance Information
- Hours of Operation
- Other attributes depending on the property type.
It then requires you to enter usage data for electric, natural gas, and water. Once this information is entered, the platform rates your property based on all other similar properties in the database – adjusting for climate zone. This rating is called an Energy Star Score and is scored 1 to 100, with 100 meaning your property is in the top percentile of efficiency compared to similar building types, sizes, etc. As such, your score can go down even if your building remains the same, if the average building in the data set becomes more efficient.
What Come After Benchmarking?
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The benchmarking scores and energy metrics are critical, as Maryland will use them to target inefficient buildings under its Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022.
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Starting in 2025, Maryland’s BEPS will apply to commercial, multifamily, and some government buildings 35,000 square feet or larger, requiring incremental reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to reach net-zero by 2040. Note that schools, manufacturing, and agricultural building are exempt from BEPS for the first compliance cycle.
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The legislation is still under development, and Honeydew Energy Advisors will provide updates as soon as the final regulations are finalized.
Buildings that do not meet the required standards will enter a compliance cycle, giving owners up to five years to make improvements. Annual benchmarking reports will track progress and ensure compliance, with penalties imposed for non-compliance.
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Stay informed about Maryland’s BEPS through Honeydew’s updates by signing up for our blog here.
Required Benchmarking Verifications Every 5 Years
Building owners are required to engage third-party verification companies to confirm the accuracy of their benchmarking reports for the following calendar years:
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- 2025 (benchmarking report due in 2026)
- 2030 (benchmarking report due in 2031)
- 2035 (benchmarking report due in 2036)
- 2040 (benchmarking report due in 2041)
- Every 5 years thereafter
Work with Us!
If you are a property manager, building owner, or association member who could use a hand with benchmarking requirements, Honeydew Energy Advisors is here to help by offering assistance with clear, competitive fees. Our experienced team has a great working relationship with MDE’s staff, can manage all necessary reporting and communication with MDE, and guide you through each stage of the process.
Testimonials
What Our Energy Benchmarking Clients Are Saying
“The Honeydew team deals with something on a daily basis that everyone wishes they had time to learn and understand: navigating the complex world of energy regulation and helping make properties more energy efficient. Benchmarking lies at the foundation of this process and they have streamlined these once daunting tasks greatly for the 50+ properties we manage that are subject to these requirements.”
“When it comes to energy and utility issues for our property management company, Honeydew are our go to guys. They currently provide benchmarking services for more than a hundred of the communities we manage. Despite some challenging cases, we have had no issues filing the reports in on time with 100% accuracy.”
“It is a pleasure working with the Honeydew Energy Advisors Team. They are excellent at all things benchmarking and very quick to respond to any concerns.”
“It is a pleasure working with the Honeydew Energy Advisors Team. They are excellent at all things benchmarking and very quick to respond to any concerns.”
“Easy to work with and always professional. They make the benchmarking process a walk in the park. Highly recommend them!”