January 2025 Portfolio Manager Update:

How Changes in ENERGY STAR® Weather Data May Affect Your Building’s Score

Starting this January, the EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager is getting a major upgrade, making it even sharper at gauging energy performance in commercial and industrial buildings. The highlight? A big boost in the weather data used to calculate ENERGY STAR scores and metrics, bringing in more localized insights and a fresh approach to weather normalization. This shift means your building’s energy performance score could see some movement. Here’s a closer look at what’s new, why these changes are rolling out, and how you can sneak a peek at your updated scores before they go live.

The update rolls out on January 14, 2025, when Portfolio Manager will start using updated weather data, which includes:

1. Expanded Weather Station Access: The system will now use data from over 2,300 weather stations—up from around 800. This expansion will allow buildings to be mapped to weather stations closer to their actual locations, enhancing the accuracy of weather data and providing a truer picture of the conditions each building faces.
2. New 15-Year Weather Average: Rather than the traditional 30-year average, Portfolio Manager will now rely on a 15-year average (2006-2020), based on the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This update is designed to capture more recent climate trends, offering a more accurate view of today’s “normal” weather conditions.

Why These Changes Are Necessary

The EPA is on a mission to sharpen the picture of energy performance. By embracing a more recent weather average and tapping into data from a wider network of weather stations, the updated metrics will deliver a clearer, more precise view of energy efficiency. The aim? Empower organizations to make smarter, more impactful choices that cut emissions and save on costs.

Impact on Your Building(s)

For many users, the score changes will be barely noticeable, with slight shifts of one or two points and minor adjustments of one to two percent in weather-normalized energy metrics. However, buildings perched in areas with distinct elevation factors or newly mapped to weather stations with noticeably different climate data might experience more noticeable swings.

Previewing Your ENERGY STAR Score Change

To help you prepare, Portfolio Manager allows you to preview your building’s updated ENERGY STAR score. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to Portfolio Manager.
2. Click on your property for which you’d like to see the updated score.
3. Go to “Change Metrics” in the Metrics Summary chart.
4. Under the Energy Performance Metrics tab, select both:
   • ENERGY STAR Score
   • ENERGY STAR Score Preview for Model Updates

1. Click “Apply Selection” to view and compare your current and future scores.

If you manage multiple buildings, you can also create a custom dashboard to view all updated scores at once. Keep in mind, though, that future weather-normalized energy metrics aren’t yet available for preview.

If you have further questions, consult www.energystar.gov/buildingshelp.

Takeaway: As we approach January 2025, the upcoming changes to the ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager signify a crucial step towards enhancing the accuracy and relevance of energy performance metrics for commercial and industrial buildings. These updates refine ENERGY STAR’s ability to reflect real-world energy use more accurately by integrating more localized weather data and adopting a 15-year average. Taking the time to preview your scores will give you a head start on strategizing for continued energy efficiency improvements in 2025 and beyond. Embracing these updates not only supports compliance with evolving standards but also aligns with broader sustainability goals.

• Contact MEP today for assistance with your ENERGY STAR, LEED, Energy Audit and M-E-P Engineering Design needs! We are EPA-awarded ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year and Sustained Excellence Partner of the Year for 9 consecutive years and counting. www.mep-llc.com