Businesses

Businesses have many factors to consider when working toward energy decarbonization, which can be broadly approached using energy management: a sequential process that involves measuring an organization's energy consumption, reducing any energy waste, and supplying all energy needs from renewable sources.

Benchmark and Track Energy Usage
Identify facility energy use and track it over time, both noting achievements and areas for improvement. Benchmarking allows entities to track their buildings energy use and compare them to similar buildings in the community and nationwide.

Resources:
- Energy Star Portfolio Manager
- Building Energy Use Benchmarking
Conduct an Energy Audit
An energy audit should be conducted to better understand how to improve a building's energy use. Energy audits are used to identify and recommend energy conservation measures to reduce the amount of energy input without negatively affecting performance.

Resources:
- A Guide to Energy Audits
- The Difference Between ASHRAE Level 1, 2, & 3 Energy Audits
Improve Energy Efficiency
Reduce energy use intensity for private buildings. Energy efficiency improvements reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions, while creating a more sustainable building stock in a community. An energy audit should be used to guide energy efficiency upgrades.

Resources:
Transition to Renewable Energy
Increase the use of renewable energy in commercial buildings or offset building emissions through the use of clean power purchase agreements. Renewable energy solutions may include solar photovoltaics, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, and geothermal.

Resources: