New Jersey Certified Energy Benchmarkers

Energy benchmarking is one of the regulations that make New Jersey a national leader in energy efficiency programming and outcomes. With state regulations constantly evolving and improving, certified benchmarkers are your ally for compliance success.

The Falcon Group is an engineering and architectural consulting firm that offers integral solutions for property owners looking to comply with local energy regulations. We provide certified energy benchmarking services, helping clients navigate the complexities of relevant standards and delivering insights to enhance their buildings' energy efficiency.

What Is Energy Benchmarking?

Benchmarking is key to assessing the energy performance of buildings in New Jersey. The process involves comparing a building's energy utilities against similar properties. This study is helpful beyond compliance. It helps you save on operational costs, increase property value and identify opportunities to enhance your building's overall efficiency and market competitiveness.

The benchmarking process includes submitting your monthly bills and relevant information to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA database. After analyzing your information, the EPA assigns a benchmark efficiency score of one to 100.

Why Is Energy Benchmarking Important for New Jersey Property Owners?

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) released a new version of the Clean Energy Act (CEA) in 2022, which included a benchmarking program for commercial buildings. The objective is to promote sustainability in urban environments by analyzing benchmarking information for energy consumption and cost reduction.

The state of New Jersey works with these benchmarking programs:

• NJ Energy and Water Benchmarking: It is mandatory for commercial buildings or apartments intended for five or more families with areas bigger than 25,000 square feet.
• NJCEP Benchmarking: This free program is voluntary for all other buildings.

When Do Buildings in New Jersey Need Benchmarking?

According to CEA regulations, building owners must submit benchmarking information once a year through the EPA's Portfolio Manager tool. Data includes all energy metrics useful for performance comparisons with similar buildings.

The deadline for submitting the previous year's data is July 1st each year. New buildings are required to benchmark after operating for a full calendar year.

Potential Penalties for Noncompliance

The New Jersey benchmarking law does not clearly state the authorization to impose fines for noncompliance. However, submitting benchmarking information is a prerequisite to participating in the NJBPU's other programs.

If you fail to comply or send inaccurate data, the NJBPU will send a warning letter with a deadline for submitting your information. If you fail to do so, your property will have a noncompliance status on a building-level database.

Choose The Falcon Group as Your Certified Energy Benchmarkers

The Falcon Group has served property owners across the state of New Jersey since 1997. We offer a complete range of certified energy benchmarking and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) services in New Jersey. Our firm is committed to helping clients comply with local energy laws and improve energy efficiency.

We offer customized solutions and help you interpret your data and the specific requirements that apply to your property. Our certified benchmarkers are up to date with changing regulations and conduct comprehensive commercial energy audits in New Jersey to evaluate existing systems. These detailed reports ensure an accurate NJ Energy Benchmarking filing and help identify opportunities for energy savings.

Ensure Compliance With The Falcon Group

Adhering to the CEA regulations will help you improve your building's energy efficiency and prevent penalties. The Falcon Group offers complete engineering and architectural consulting across all New Jersey cities. Contact our expert team online for energy benchmarking services near you that meet your compliance needs.