About the battle
Based on the success of the past three battles, EPA is once again hosting a national competition among commercial buildings to save energy and fight climate change. Competitors will work off the waste through improvements in energy efficiency with help from EPA's ENERGY STAR program.
How does it work?
All buildings and tenants that submit complete energy use data for calendar year 2013 (January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013) using EPA’s custom report are invited to compete. Participants will measure, track, and report their monthly energy consumption using EPA's online energy tracking tool, Portfolio Manager.
Throughout the competition, participants will cut energy waste through energy-saving activities such as making improvements to the building, optimizing operations and maintenance, and engaging occupants to save. The building that demonstrates the greatest percentage-based reduction in energy use intensity during the competition will be recognized as the winner.
How did you spice it up this year?
While the ENERGY STAR National Building Competition is always a competition to find out which building can reduce its energy use the most, every year features a new twist. 2013 is no different.
Tenants can compete
This year, for the first time ever, commercial tenants occupying part of a building can also compete, provided they have energy data for the full 2013 calendar year. That means that stores in an enclosed mall, offices occupying a floor or portion of a commercial building, or any other tenant occupying part of a commercial building can join in the fun!
New recognition categories
This year, ENERGY STAR has added some new recognition categories. Competitors are eligible to earn the following types of recognition:
- Overall winner - This is the building or space that reduces its energy use the most on a percentage basis over the course of the competition.
- Most Valuable Participant (MVP) - Teams competing for MVP fill out a short communications scorecard during midpoint and final weigh-ins. The building with the highest combined score of energy use reductions and communications activities wins MVP! Teams competing for MVP will complete a communications scorecard (provided by EPA via a survey at www.energystar.gov/BattleOfTheBuildings) at the mid-point and at the end-point.
- Top tenant - This is the tenant that reduces its energy use the most on a percentage basis over the course of the competition.
- 20% reduction - And finally, back by popular demand, any building or space that reduces its energy use by at least a 20% will have the opportunity to get EPA recognition.