For more than two decades, the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager has been the go-to platform for tracking and improving building energy performance. According to the EPA’s Portfolio Manager Data Explorer, it now contains performance data from over 150,000 U.S. commercial, multifamily, and institutional properties – from office towers to university campuses.
Owners and operators use the platform to:
- Benchmark energy and water use across portfolios
- Compare performance to peers nationally
- Identify underperforming sites and efficiency opportunities
- Generate compliance reports for local and state ordinances
- Support ENERGY STAR certifications and ESG disclosures
Why Portfolio Manager still matters in 2025
While policy discussions occasionally cast uncertainty on federal program budgets, Portfolio Manager remains fully operational and actively supported by the EPA. For building professionals, its value goes far beyond regulatory compliance, it’s a proven driver of operational savings and portfolio insight.
- Consistent savings: Buildings that benchmark regularly in Portfolio Manager have reduced energy use by an average of 2.4% per year, according to an EPA analysis of 35,000 properties (DataTrends Report, EPA 2012). That improvement translates into lower utility bills and higher net operating income.
- Policy alignment: Cities such as New York City, Chicago, and San Franciso require annual benchmarking reports using Portfolio Manager as the data platform of record. These programs improve market transparency and encourage reinvestment in efficient assets.
- Operational efficiency: Portfolio Manager integrates directly with utility data services, reducing manual data entry and providing visibility into usage spikes and system issues.
- Market credibility: ENERGY STAR certification remains one of the most recognized indicators of high-performing buildings, enhancing asset value and tenant appeal.
What building owners and operators should do now
Even with stable operations today, smart portfolio managers plan ahead. Follow these steps to keep your benchmarking program resilient and valuable.
- Back up your data.
Export Portfolio Manager records, monthly energy data, GHG metrics, and certifications and store them securely in your internal systems or on a secondary platform.
- Verify your ordinance requirements.
Many Building Performance Standards (BPS) require annual ENERGY STAR benchmarking. Confirm your city’s current rules, see local pages for NYC Benchmarking, Chicago Energy Benchmarking, or San Francisco Existing Buildings Ordinance.
- Evaluate backup tools.
Platforms such as Cambio, Measurabl, and EnergyPrint can archive or mirror Portfolio Manager data, adding redundancy and analysis features.
- Keep your stakeholders informed.
Share benchmarking updates with tenants, investors, and sustainability teams. Transparency builds trust and supports ESG reporting.
- Stay current on updates.
Follow the EPA ENERGY STAR Buildings newsletter and industry organizations such as IMT, NASEO, and BOMA for program and policy developments.
The Bottom Line
Portfolio Manager has become the standard language of building performance in the United States. Benchmarking not only fulfills compliance obligations, it consistently, helps owners uncover cost savings, strengthen ESG reporting, and enhance property value.
By protecting your data, aligning with local requirements, and maintaining your benchmarking routine, you ensure our assets remain efficient, compliant, and market ready, whatever the policy climate brings.
Need help reviewing your benchmarking program or creating a data backup plan? EEI can assist with system setup, data continuity, and ordinance compliance support.