Updates to ENERGY STAR Scores

This page includes information about upcoming updates to 1–100 ENERGY STAR scores for U.S. property types, models being explored or developed, and past updates. Please check back regularly for the latest updates.

Note: For information about updates to Canadian score models, please visit Natural Resources Canada (NRCan’s) ENERGY STAR for Buildings page or contact nrcan.buildings-batiments.nrcan@canada.ca.

Schedule of Future Updates 

Property Type Score New or Update? Estimated Launch
Multifamily* Energy Update 2025
Multifamily* Water Update 2025
Multiple (CBECS Models) Energy Update 2025
Convenience Store* Water New TBD
Medical Office* Water New TBD
Hospital* Water New TBD

*An asterisk indicates an update that we hope to do, but that is dependent on the collection and analysis of sufficient data.

Updates in Progress

Updates to 1–100 ENERGY STAR Score and 1–100 Water Score for Multifamily Buildings

We are working with Fannie Mae and Bright Power to collect data on current energy and water use among U.S. multifamily buildings. We will then analyze this data and use it to update our current scoring models. This update is expected to occur in 2025.

Past Updates

New 1–100 ENERGY STAR Score for U.S. Vehicle Dealerships 

EPA developed a new 1–100 ENERGY STAR score and certification for U.S. vehicle dealerships, based on energy use data collected by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). EPA issued a proposal and requested comments from the public prior to finalizing and releasing the score in November 2023. 

New 1–100 ENERGY STAR Score for U.S. Convenience Stores

EPA developed a new 1–100 ENERGY STAR score and certification for U.S. convenience stores, based on energy use data collected by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). EPA issued a proposal and requested comments from the public prior to finalizing and releasing the score in March 2023. 

New 1–100 ENERGY STAR Score for Single Family Homes

EPA had historically provided an energy efficiency score for homes through its Home Energy Yardstick tool, but in 2022 we took the underlying model and incorporated it into Portfolio Manager as a new 1–100 ENERGY STAR score for single family homes. The Home Energy Yardstick remains as a standalone tool with the option to save data in Portfolio Manager. While homeowners may prefer to continue using this tool, the new score in Portfolio Manager is most useful to owners and managers of large residential portfolios. Single family homes are not eligible to earn ENERGY STAR certification. 

For details, see our technical reference document on the 1-100 ENERGY STAR score for single family homes.

Updated 1–100 ENERGY STAR Score for U.S. Medical Office Buildings 

EPA rolled out an updated 1–100 ENERGY STAR score for U.S. medical office buildings on February 7, 2022. In addition, after an eight-year hiatus, U.S. medical office buildings once again became eligible to earn EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification for superior energy performance. The updated ENERGY STAR score is based on 2015 data collected by the American Society for Health Care Engineering, reflecting the most recent data available—both in terms of energy performance, but also in terms of modern equipment and operations. For example, the new score adjusts for MRI machines and surgical operating beds—equipment that was not factored into the old score.

For full details, watch our informational webinar, recorded in early January 2022.

Updated 1–100 ENERGY STAR Score for U.S. Hospitals

In February 2021, EPA updated the 1–100 ENERGY STAR score for U.S. hospitals to reflect new market data from 2015 collected by the American Society for Health Care Engineering (replacing the prior data from 2008). This update also included the addition of heating degree days (HDD) to the scoring model.  While the score change for each hospital will depend on a number of factors unique to that property, the average score change for U.S. hospitals in Portfolio Manager was an increase of 1.4 points, and ~95% of hospitals experienced score changes ranging from -2 to +5 points.

For full details, download the webinar slides.

2018 Updates to ENERGY STAR Metrics

In August 2018, EPA updated performance metrics for U.S. buildings in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® based on the most recent market data available. This update is part of EPA’s standard process to keep ENERGY STAR metrics as current as possible, and reflective of current market performance. At this time, the 1–100 ENERGY STAR scores and other source energy metrics were updated for U.S. buildings benchmarking in Portfolio Manager across all time periods to reflect the latest performance metrics.

This update was followed by a score review period for U.S. K–12 schools, worship facilities, warehouse properties, hotels, offices, retail stores, and supermarkets, during which EPA engaged industry to get feedback, conduct additional analysis, and ensure the score models deliver metrics that support organizations' energy efficiency goals. Certification was temporarily suspended and resumed on a rolling basis as EPA finalized its analysis for each score model. In July 2019, EPA concluded the score review period and certification resumed for all eligible U.S. building types.

Note that none of these changes impacted Canadian buildings.

Details about EPA’s analysis and key findings for each of the models are available for download:

Details about this round of updates are available in the following slide decks that EPA shared between 2014 and 2018:

List of 1–100 ENERGY STAR scores and technical details

The table below provides a quick overview of 1–100 ENERGY STAR scores that were updated, a link to the technical reference, a link to the technical webinar slides, if available, and data source summary.

Property Type EPA Release Date: Current and Past Score Models Data Source: Current and Past Score Models More Details
U.S. Convenience Store
  • March 2023
  • 2019 National Association of Convenience Stores survey

Data Center
  • June 2010
  • 2009 EPA-led data collection effort
Hospital
  • Feb. 2021
  • 2011
  • 2001
  • 2015 ASHE Survey
  • 2008 ASHE Survey
  • 1999 CBECS
Jan. 2021: ENERGY STAR Hospital Model Update 
Hotel
  • Aug. 2018
  • 2009
  • 2002
  • 2012 CBECS
  • 2003 CBECS
  • 1999 Industry Survey
August 2017: Updated 1-100 ENERGY STAR Score for Hotels (PDF, 5.6 MB)
K-12 School
  • Aug. 2018
  • 2009
  • 2004
  • 2000
  • 2012 CBECS
  • 2003 CBECS
  • 1999 CBECS
  • 1995 CBECS
April 2017: K-12 School: Progress of ENERGY STAR Score Update (PDF, 1.0 MB)
Medical Office 
  • Feb. 2022
  • 2015 ASHE Survey
Jan. 2022: ENERGY STAR Medical Office Building Model Update
Multifamily Housing (Water Score for Multifamily Housing)
  • Sept. 2014 (Water Score: Oct. 2017)
  • Fannie Mae’s 2011 Multifamily Energy and Water Market Research Survey
Office (including financial office, bank branch, and courthouse)
  • July 2019
  • Aug. 2018
  • 2007
  • 2004
  • 1999
  • 2012 CBECS
  • 2012 CBECS
  • 2003 CBECS
  • 1999 CBECS
  • 1995 CBECS
May 2016: Office ENERGY STAR Score Update Plans (PDF, 253 KB) 
Residence Hall/Dormitory (Not eligible for certification
  • 2004
  • 1999 CBECS
Retail (including retail store and wholesale club/ supercenter)
  • Aug. 2018
  • 2007
  • 2012 CBECS
  • 2003 CBECS
May 2016: Retail ENERGY STAR Score Update Plans (PDF, 222 KB)
Senior Living Communities
  • Mar. 2011
  • 2009 ALFA, AAHSA, AHCA, and NCAL Survey
Single Family Homes
  • Sept. 2022
  • ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick
Supermarket
  • Aug. 2018
  • 2008
  • 2001
  • 2012 CBECS
  • 1999 & 2003 CBECS
  • 1992 & 1995 CBECS
May 2016: Retail ENERGY STAR Score Update Plans (PDF, 222 KB)
U.S. Vehicle Dealership
  • Nov. 2023
  • 2019 National Automobile Dealers Association survey
Recording of August 28 Informational Webinar
Warehouse (including refrigerated, non-refrigerated, and distribution centers)
  • Aug. 2018
  • 2009
  • 2004
  • 2012 CBECS
  • 2003 CBECS
  • 1999 CBECS
January 2018: Updated 1-100 ENERGY STAR Score for Warehouses (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Wastewater Treatment Plants (Not eligible for certification
  • 2007
  • American Waterworks Association Research
    Foundation 2005-2006
Worship Facility
  • Aug. 2018
  • 2009
  • 2012 CBECS
  • 2003 CBECS
January 2018: Updated 1-100 ENERGY STAR Score for Worship Facilities (PDF, 1.3 MB)