Federal agencies

As a federal agency, you have a clear opportunity to lead by example and cut energy use, cost, and greenhouse emissions. After all, the federal government is the largest energy consumer in the nation.

And you’re under increasing pressure to demonstrate that you’re using taxpayer funds responsibly. At least three different acts and executive orders[1] spell out goals and expectations for energy efficiency in federal buildings. 

Federal agencies are required to:

• Benchmark building energy use with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager[2]
• Reduce energy and water use[3]
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy used to run buildings[4]
• Assess and report on compliance with the Guidelines for Federal High Performance Sustainable Buildings[5]
• Lease only in ENERGY STAR certified buildings[6]
• Set design targets for the energy efficiency of new buildings[7]
• Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products[8]

The good news? You can use ENERGY STAR tools and resources to meet each of these requirements — and demonstrate your environmental leadership.

Benchmark, reduce energy and water use, and assess compliance

First, if you’re working to save energy and water within your portfolio of federal buildings, start by checking out our section for existing buildings. Whether you manage one building or 100 buildings, you’ll find guidance on how to structure an effective energy management program, ways to save energy and water, and how to communicate your success as you go.  

And of course, you’ll also find all the details you need to know about ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, the national platform for benchmarking energy use. Use it to measure and track energy and water use, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

It also has the Guidelines for Federal High Performance Sustainable Buildings built right into the tool, so you can determine and report your compliance using Portfolio Manager as a one-stop shop.

• Learn how to use Portfolio Manager to benchmark energy and water use, track progress, and measure your compliance with the Guidelines for Federal High Performance Sustainable Buildings.
• Find comprehensive guidance on establishing an organization-wide energy management program to save energy, water, and associated greenhouse gas emissions in your existing buildings.

Lease in an ENERGY STAR certified building

Looking to lease in a new building or find out if your existing lease is in an ENERGY STAR certified building? Check the registry of ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants to find out. ENERGY STAR certified buildings are also included on many other online listings, such as Honest Buildings and Co-Star. And when you’re looking for new space, don’t forget to ask whether the listings are in ENERGY STAR certified buildings.

• See the registry of ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants.

Set design targets for new buildings

ENERGY STAR is for commercial new construction, too. Using EPA’s online tool, Target Finder, you can set design targets and assess the intended energy performance of commercial building designs.

• Visit our section on commercial new construction to learn how to ensure your new building is designed to be energy-efficient.

Purchase ENERGY STAR qualified products

ENERGY STAR qualified products are independently certified to save energy without compromising quality. Learn how to find and specify energy-efficient products in your purchasing policies and contracts.

• Get guidance on purchasing energy-saving products.

Additional resources

• Find additional guidance from the Federal Energy Management Program.