The initial Chicago Energy Benchmarking ordinance, adopted in 2013, raises awareness of energy performance through information and transparency, with the goal of unlocking energy and cost savings opportunities for businesses and residents. Building owners or managers of properties 50,000 square feet or greater are required to measure and report whole-building energy use once a year, and have the data verified once every three years. All work can be done in-house and there is not a requirement to hire a third party.
In November 2017, the Chicago City Council voted to update the existing benchmarking ordinance. The 2017 updates created a new Chicago Energy Rating System that makes energy use information for large buildings easily accessible to residents while encouraging energy savings. The new system is a zero to four star scale rating and is based on existing and publicly available energy data, alongside recent energy improvements to buildings.
In November 2017, the Chicago City Council voted to update the existing benchmarking ordinance. The 2017 updates created a new Chicago Energy Rating System that makes energy use information for large buildings easily accessible to residents while encouraging energy savings. The new system is a zero to four star scale rating and is based on existing and publicly available energy data, alongside recent energy improvements to buildings.