The culmination of a three-year project led by the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), Putting Data to Work examines how, exactly, building performance data can and is being deployed to reap an array of benefits for cities, energy efficiency service providers, utilities, and building owners. This project summary outlines the resources compiled in a larger project toolkit, identifying key takeaways and linking to individual components.
For decades, mortgage loans have been the primary means of financing residential and commercial building ownership.The lending community’s use of traditional, multi-year loans for both commercial and multifamily properties alike spread costs over a long period to lessen financial burden for buyers, but until recently, building owners who sought a more energy-efficient building needed to … Continued
The Standard Bearers Award was a national recognition program developed by IMT with support from the International Code Council (ICC). Standard Bearers distinguished state and local code programs and building officials who were setting a precedent for energy code compliance in the U.S. These Standard Bearers assure the many benefits of adopted modern energy codes are … Continued
What is energy benchmarking and why is it important? The core energy efficiency policy that IMT supports is the benchmarking and transparency of buildings’ energy use. Benchmarking means measuring a building’s energy use and then comparing it to the average for similar buildings. It allows owners and occupants to understand their building’s relative energy performance, … Continued
The SAVE Act, introduced by Senators Isakson (R-Ga.) and Bennet (D-Co.) on June 6, 2013, is proposed legislation that would instruct federal loan agencies to assess a borrower’s expected energy costs when financing a house. Better information about a homeowner’s monthly expenses will, at no cost to taxpayers or the current deficit: Enable better mortgage … Continued
Buildings account for more than 40% of the total energy consumption in the U.S., and addressing their energy use is key to reaching a city’s carbon reduction targets. IMT helps cities engage their building owners, managers, tenants and finance stakeholders in all areas of building efficiency to reduce carbon emissions and bolster local economic development. … Continued
Green leasing (also known as energy-aligned, high-performance, or energy-efficient leasing) aligns the financial and environmental goals of landlords and tenants to work together to save money, conserve resources, and ensure the efficient operation of buildings. IMT helps engage leasing stakeholders on best practices, provides useful resources through GreenLeaseLibrary.com, and offers brokers and tenants in the … Continued
Now in its third year, the Standard Bearers Award program is presented by IMT and the International Code Council (ICC). The award seeks to recognize a state, local jurisdiction, and individual who are using cost-effective strategies to achieve energy code compliance and energy use reductions. Energy code compliance refers to whether a building meets the … Continued
IMT provides several brochures explaining how the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) applies to additions, alterations, renovations, and repairs to buildings. Both commercial and residential buildings are covered, as are special focus areas: Commercial Lighting, Residential HVAC, and Residential Insulation & Air Leakage, and Commercial Roofing. We encourage builders and building officials to download and … Continued
Building energy efficiency is widely recognized as the most cost-effective way to reduce reliance on non-renewable fuel sources and avoid the costly development of more power plants. Two key policy mechanisms available to assist with reducing building energy consumption are energy codes and benchmarking and disclosure policies. While building energy codes have been around since … Continued