Enertiv Energy Benchmarking Fine Calculator
We know you’re walking a fine line between your sustainability goals and dollars & cents.
Frequently Asked Questions
While we update the tool regularly, we recommend checking with local authorities for any recent changes to your city's or state’s energy benchmarking requirements.
This calculator uses publicly available data on energy benchmarking fines and policies across U.S. cities and states. We sourced information from official government sites and groups like the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), updating it to reflect the most current data as of Q3 2024. It accounts for local ordinances, accrual types, enforcement timelines, exemptions, and applicable building types.
Fines are calculated using these key factors:
- Building Type: Classification such as commercial, multifamily, or both.
- Building Size: Minimum size thresholds (in square feet or units) determine if fines apply.
- Accrual Type: Fines can accumulate daily, quarterly, or annually based on local regulations.
- Number of Buildings: The total fine is calculated by multiplying the fine per building by the number of buildings entered into the calculator.
If your city or county has benchmarking requirements, you generally don’t need to report the same building to both state and local authorities. For example, a building in San Francisco should only be entered under San Francisco, not both San Francisco and California. This avoids duplicate entries and ensures accurate calculations.
Many cities and states offer exemptions based on specific building criteria. Common exemptions include:
- New Construction: Buildings without a full year of utility data.
- Low Occupancy: Properties with less than 50% occupancy during the reporting year.
- Renovations/Demolition: Buildings under renovation or scheduled for demolition.
- Industrial/Manufacturing Use: Properties used for scientific research, heavy manufacturing, or industrial processes (e.g., factories, plants). Warehouses and distribution centers are generally not exempt unless explicitly stated by local regulations.
- Data Access Issues: Exemptions may apply if utility data is unavailable from tenants.
- Financial Hardship: Properties in foreclosure or financial distress.
These exemptions are based on official government sources and are reflected in the calculator when applicable to your building.
Industrial properties used for heavy energy consumption, such as manufacturing or scientific research, may be exempt from benchmarking requirements in some cities or states. However, warehouses and distribution centers are typically not exempt and must comply with local energy benchmarking laws. For example, in California and Colorado, industrial exemptions apply to manufacturing facilities but specifically exclude warehouses. Be sure to check the specific rules in your area to understand how industrial properties are treated.
The calculator provides estimates based on official fine structures. It considers:
- Annual fines: Applied directly per violation where specified.
- Daily fines: Extrapolated to annual totals unless a cap is enforced.
These estimates reflect the latest available data, but actual fine amounts may vary depending on your building’s specific conditions, exemptions, or local adjustments.
Yes, many cities and states cap fine amounts. For example, some cities impose daily fines, which are capped annually (e.g., $500 per day up to $2,000 per year). Others have specific annual limits, like $1,000 or $2,000. However, in some jurisdictions, fines are uncapped and can continue to accrue daily without a limit. The calculator takes into account both capped and uncapped fine structures, adjusting based on each city’s or state’s specific regulations.
The calculator assumes that, in cases where penalties escalate after an initial period (e.g., 90 days), fines will be based on the first violation. We assume that non-compliance will be resolved before fines escalate further. Please consult your local jurisdiction for more detailed enforcement timelines.
No, this calculator only covers energy benchmarking fines and exemptions. It does not include Building Performance Standards (BPS) fines, which focus on meeting energy efficiency targets. For example, laws like New York City's Local Law 97 have separate penalties for failing to meet emissions goals, which are not calculated here.