Columbus's Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance requires commercial and multifamily buildings 50,000 square feet or larger to report energy and water use annually. This guide explains compliance deadlines and how benchmarking, audits, and electrification improve efficiency and cut costs.
Columbus has implemented the Energy And Water Benchmarking Ordinance as part of its broader climate and sustainability efforts. This policy requires large commercial and multifamily buildings to track and report their annual energy and water usage, allowing the city to monitor performance trends and encourage efficiency improvements.
For businesses and property owners, compliance with this ordinance is both a regulatory requirement and an opportunity to lower energy costs, improve building performance, and contribute to Columbus’s climate goals.
The ordinance applies to:
Smaller buildings are currently exempt, but owners should stay informed about potential policy updates.
Building owners must track and report annual energy and water consumption using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a widely used tool for benchmarking energy performance.
The benchmarking process includes:
Columbus makes a subset of the collected benchmarking data publicly available, encouraging market-driven improvements in energy efficiency. Public access to this data helps:
The city encourages property owners to periodically verify data accuracy to ensure compliance and identify opportunities for energy and water savings.
The annual benchmarking report is due June 1 of each year.
Building owners who fail to comply with the ordinance may face fines or increased oversight by the city.
First, confirm if your building meets the 50,000 square foot threshold for commercial and multifamily buildings or the 25,000 square foot threshold for city-owned buildings.
Collect energy and water usage data for the previous 12 months from your utility providers. Ensure data includes all energy sources, such as electricity, natural gas, and steam.
Log into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and enter:
Ensure your data is accurate and submit your annual report before the June 1 deadline.
Complying with Columbus’s ordinance provides benefits beyond avoiding penalties. It helps building owners and managers:
Energy audits help identify areas for improvement, such as:
As cities move toward phasing out fossil fuels, building owners should consider:
Columbus offers several programs to support building owners in compliance and energy efficiency efforts, including:
Taking advantage of these programs can help offset compliance costs and accelerate return on investment.
Meeting the requirements of the Columbus Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance is more than just a regulatory obligation it is a strategic investment in building performance.
If your building falls under Columbus’s Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance, take these immediate steps:
By acting now, you can ensure compliance, reduce costs, and enhance your building’s sustainability.
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