Benchmarking
Benchmark Smarter. Manage Better.
Energy benchmarking gives building owners and managers the information they need to understand building performance, identify opportunities, and meet applicable reporting requirements.
Turn Building Data Into Better Decisions.
Benchmarking is the process of measuring and comparing your building's energy performance against a baseline, similar buildings, or other performance targets.
ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® is the industry-standard tool for commercial building benchmarking. It allows building owners and managers to track energy use and compare performance over time and across properties.
More importantly, benchmarking helps identify underperforming buildings, prioritize investments, and measure the results of energy-efficiency improvements.
Square Feet
In Marion County, buildings at or above this size are required to participate in energy benchmarking under the Thriving Buildings requirements.
Understanding the Thriving Buildings Requirement
As in 2024, all buildings 50,000 square feet and larger in Marion County must participate in energy benchmarking.
Benchmarking Is an Ongoing Building Management Tool
The City of Indianapolis uses energy benchmarking to better understand building performance and support efforts to improve energy efficiency throughout the community.
BOMA Indiana encourages members to understand the requirements, maintain accurate utility data, and use benchmarking as part of their broader building management strategy.
Thriving BuildingsHow to Benchmark Your Building
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager provides the tools needed to establish your building's energy baseline, track performance, and share information when required.
Set Up Portfolio Manager
Create your ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account and add your property using the information required for your building type.
Get Started →Enter Utility Data
Add your property's utility information and maintain a complete record of energy consumption. Accurate data is essential for meaningful benchmarking.
Data Checklist →Share Your Data
When required, use Portfolio Manager to share your benchmarking information with the City and meet applicable reporting requirements.
Reporting Guide →Get Hands-On Help at a Data Jam.
The City of Indianapolis Office of Sustainability hosts Data Jam sessions to help building owners and managers navigate the energy benchmarking process and comply with Thriving Buildings requirements.
- Learn how to set up your ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account.
- Get assistance entering and managing utility data.
- Learn how to share your data with the City.
- Understand the background and goals of Thriving Buildings.
- Network with other participants and share insights and strategies.
Tools to Help You Get Started.
Whether you're new to benchmarking or looking to improve your building's performance, these resources can help.
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
Benchmark energy performance, track building data, compare properties, and monitor performance over time.
Visit Portfolio Manager Resources →ENERGY STAR Training
Learn the basics of using Portfolio Manager to meet state and local benchmarking and reporting requirements.
View Training →Building Upgrade Manual
Explore guidance and strategies for improving energy performance and building efficiency.
Explore Resources →Energy-Saving Measures
Use benchmarking results as a starting point for identifying practical opportunities to improve building performance.
Explore ENERGY STAR →Certain Manufacturing Buildings Are Exempt.
Certain manufacturing buildings fall into exempt categories. If your property is used for manufacturing, review the applicable industry classifications to determine whether your building falls within an exempt category.
The categories below are based on the manufacturing classifications currently identified by BOMA Indiana.
Know Your Building. Improve Its Performance.
Benchmarking gives you the information to understand where your building stands and where opportunities exist. Start with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and make your building data work for you.
Start Benchmarking Thriving Buildings