Katie Jones, GreenCorps Member with the Minnesota Clean Energy Resource Teams, provides an introduction to the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking system for buildings to help local governments and schools get started.

1. CERTs
Energy
Benchmarking
Using B3
Katie Jones
CERTs GreenCorps Member

2. Contents
1. Why care about energy?
2. Managing energy
3. Benchmarking in B3: Step-by-
Step
4. Implementing best
management practices: Step-
by-Step
7
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

3. Why care about energy?
Energy Costs
Accidental spills
Serving as a model
Ocean acidification
for the community Habitat disturbance
Mountain top Step toward self-sufficiency
removal
Why do you care about energy
National security consumption? Mercury deposition
Acid rain
Acid mine drainage Air quality
Groundwater
Money
contamination Responsible use of
tax dollars
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

4. Why care about energy?
Energy Cost Trends
($/ft^3)
Natural Gas ($/CFU) Electricity (Cents/kwh)
12.00
10.00
Cost / unit
8.00
Heating/AC – 55%
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00 Lights, electronics– 20%
1989 1994 1999 2004 2009
Year
Average Retail Commercial Price of Electricity and Natural Gas in MN:
Appliances – 15%
Overall increase in energy price over the last two decades. Data from the
US Energy Information Administration.1
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

5. Managing energy
Managing Energy
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”
-unknown-
Student’s knowledge Thermal comfort Building performance
measured by a report measured by a measured by energy usage by
card thermostat benchmarking
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

6. Managing energy
Energy Management Strategy
1. Develop an energy 3. Determine if an energy
management team. policy already exists and
investigate it.
Stakeholders?
Building managers
Accounts payable staff
Administrators
Maintenance workers
City officials
Principals 2. Schedule regular
Teachers meetings
Community members (monthly/bimonthly).
Students
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

7. Managing energy
Accountability
4. Set goals. Hold one another accountable.
Make goals concrete, easily
understandable, and comparable
(kBTU/ft^2/yr)
Make goals public
• Newsletters
• Signage
• TV and radio
• Website
5. Provide fun rewards
• Limbo by a principal, mayor, students
etc. for each met goal
• Host tour of building improvements
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

8. Managing energy
Energy Management Strategy
Quick review:
1. Develop energy management team
2. Schedule regular meetings
3. Investigate energy policy
4. Set goals.
5. Provide fun rewards Questions?
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

9. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Basics
B3 = Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond
Uses engineering algorithms to model how much energy
buildings should be using based on current building code.
2000 – B3 Sustainability Guidelines
developed
2002 – Law c398-H.F. No.2972
enacted
2004 – MNBenchmarking.com
launched6
2011 – Coming soon, redesign!
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

10. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Poll
How confident are you in your ability to utilize B3?
A. Very – I can input building and utility data and use the reporting tab.
B. Fairly – I can input building and utility data.
C. Somewhat – I can input utility data, but not much else.
D. Not at all – I’ve never used B3.
B3 Link : http://www.mnbenchmarking.com/
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

11. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Organization Overview
2
3
1
4
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

12. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Site Overview
1
2
3 4
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

13. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Step 1 - Profile
1. Create complete profiles for all buildings
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

14. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Step 2 – Utility data
2. Update utility data going back at least 3 years if the data
is available
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

15. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Step 3 – Focus Building
3. Prioritize buildings with greatest potential for improvement
Energy Use Intensity Use ratio of actual Visual view of ratio
to “expected” use meter/benchmark
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

16. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Step 4: Energy sectors
4. Get a sense of the sector with the greatest share of energy use/cost
Electricity = 73% of energy cost Natural Gas = 27% of energy costs
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

17. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Step 5: Track energy
5. Track energy use over time
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

18. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Step 6: Utilize B3 Extras
• “Versioning” – when adding space/renovating create a new version so that
energy use is comparable across time
• “Energy Star” – the EPA’s energy rating system, provides a score based on
“statistically representative models that are used to compare your building
against similar buildings from a national survey conducted by the
Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration.”
EPA Energy Star Portfolio Manager
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

19. B3: Step-by-step
B3 Review
1. Profile – Enter complete building profile data.
2. Utility data – Enter complete utility data.
3. Focus building - Determine the focus building.
4. Energy type – Understand the energy make-up of the
building.
5. Track energy – Evaluate building performance over time
6. Utilize B3 extras
Questions?
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

20. Implementing Best
Management Practices
Best Management Practices (BMPs) : specific methods which
have been proven effective and practical for reducing
energy use
1. MN Electricity Use Pie
2. Immediate & easy
1. Building performance evaluation
2. No/low cost energy efficiency
*Major
3. Longer term & more effort
1. Building performance evaluation investment is
2. Capital improvements ALWAYS the LAST
4. Review
step*
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

21. Implementing Best
Management Practices
Best Management Practices (BMPs) : specific methods which
have been proven effective and practical for reducing
energy use
1. MN Electricity Use Pie
2. Immediate & easy
1. Building performance evaluation
2. No/low cost energy efficiency
*Major
3. Longer term & more effort
1. Building performance evaluation investment is
2. Capital improvements ALWAYS the LAST
4. Review
step*
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

22. MN Electricty Poll
What sectors consumes the most energy in MN?
A. Industry
B. Transportation
C. Buildings
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

23. Minnesota Electricity Pie
Residential
Which has the highest energy Other 4
Heating 32
consumption in MN, industry, Water Heat 13
transportation, or buildings? Lights 12
Cooling 10
Refrigeration 9
Washing 5
Electronics 5
Cooking 5
Industry Computers 1
28%
39% 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Transportation % of total electric use
Commercial
Other 10
Buildings 33% Lights 28
Heating 16
Cooling 13
Water Heat
Commercial and residential buildings - Ventilation
7
7
Do they consume energy in the same Office Equipment 7
way? Refrigeration 4
Computer 3
Cooking 2
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
% of total electric use
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

24. Implementing Best
Management Practices
Best Management Practices (BMPs) : specific methods which
have been proven effective and practical for reducing
energy use
1. MN Electricity Use Pie
2. Immediate & easy
1. Building performance evaluation
2. No/low cost energy efficiency
*Major
3. Longer term & more effort
1. Building performance evaluation investment is
2. Capital improvements ALWAYS the LAST
4. Review
step*
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

25. BMPs: Immediate and Easy
Building Evaluation
Walk-through:
A tour of the building during different operational periods (i.e.
during business hours, after hours, during major events).
• Take note of the following:
– Lighting
– Electronic equipment
– Temperature/humidity
– Noticeable building damage
– Staff expertise and knowledge
• Pros and cons:
– Pros: self-guided, low cost, many low cost opportunities
– Cons: technical opportunities will likely be missed
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

26. BMPs: Immediate and Easy
No/Low Cost Practices
Lighting – No Cost
• Turn off when not in use!
• Daylight – Use sunlight when available and arrange furniture so
that sunlight does not cause glares.
• Delamping - Evaluate how much lighting individuals need to
work and remove unnecessary lamps.
U of M light switch Daylight-lit room Delamped lamp
sticker reminder
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

27. BMPs: Immediate and Easy
No/Low Cost Practices
Lighting – Low Cost
• Automatic lighting controls - Use occupancy sensors,
especially in bathrooms, closets, hallways, or other occasionally
used areas.
• LEDs – Use especially in “Exit” signs and security lights that
must always be on.
LED exit sign Occupancy sensor
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

28. BMPs: Immediate and Easy
No/Low Cost Practices
Lighting - Resources:
• Visit the One Stop Efficiency Shop for rebates
http://www.mncee.org/programs_bldgs_facilities/commercial_lighting/index.php
• Xcel Efficiency Library
http://www.xcelenergy.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/docs/frameset-ca-office-buildings.html
• Department of Energy - Energy Savers- Lighting
http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/lighting_daylighting/index.cfm/mytopic=11980
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

29. BMPs: Immediate and Easy
No/Low Cost Practices
Building Envelope – Low Cost
• Don’t forget your storm windows
• Seal windows and doors
• Rope caulk weatherstripping
• Door sweeps
• Caulking cracks
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

30. No/Low Cost Practices
Computer – No cost
• Signs and reminders to do the following:
•Unplug when you leave
• Use powerstrips for easy reach
• Use sleep mode when you step away Phantom Load=
Using power when your
• Unplug/switch off powerstrips for printers/fax
electronics are turned off
machines/scanners
Computer Display, CRT Computer Display, LCD Computer, desktop
$700.00
$600.00 $572
$504
$500.00
Cost /year
$400.00
$300.00 $213
$200.00 $163
$94
$100.00
$- $6 $8 $21 $10
Off Sleep On
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/

31. No/Low Cost Practices
Computer – Resources
• Energy Star Low Carbon IT Campaign:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_mgt_low_carbon
• Climate Savers Computing:
•http://www.climatesaverscomputing.org/learn/saving-energy-at-home/
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – Energy Savings Case Study
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/living-green/living-green-government/state-agency-sustainability-action-
plans/energy-savings-mpca-sustainability-action-plan.html
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

32. No/Low Cost Practices
Appliances – No cost
• Put little-used appliances on powerstrips
• Down-size number of appliances
Appliances - Low(ish) cost
• When purchasing new appliances, buy EnergyStar
• Utilize low flow faucet aerators and pre-rinse spray valves to
reduce hot water use
Pre-rinse spray valve Faucet aerator
$30-40 ea. $1-5 ea.
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

33. No/Low Cost Practices
Effective Scheduling – No cost
• Are buildings occupied during the evening, over weekends and/or
holidays?
•Check if heating and lighting are necessary
• What is the cleaning schedule like?
•Dedicate specific days to specific zones for cleaning and only heat/light
those zones
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/

34. No/Low Cost Practices
Example
Schedule:
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/

35. BMPs: Immediate and Easy
No/Low Cost Practices
Other behavior – no cost
• Add a delay to the elevator door to
encourage stair use
• Use automatic openers on doors only
when absolutely necessary
• Think twice before clicking the PRINT, &
use both sides of the paper
• Get rid of the nice-to-have but
unnecessary personal, energy-consuming
luxuries like fish tanks, decorative
lighting, coffee cup warmers, miniature
water falls, etc.
• Be creative!
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/

36. BMPs: Immediate and Easy
No/Low Cost Practices
Other behavior – No cost
1. Provide an supportive atmosphere
• Point out at meetings who has fewest
extra electronics
• Caught “Green Handed” awards/prizes
• Report on the reduction of paper/energy
2. Use norms to further your cause
• Mention that other cities and buildings
are working towards sustainability
targets
Other behavior – Resources
Everyone’s doing it.
• Community Based Social Marketing
http://www.cbsm.com/public/world.las
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org/

37. Implementing Best
Management Practices
Best Management Practices (BMPs) : specific methods which
have been proven effective and practical for reducing
energy use
1. MN Electricity Use Pie
2. Immediate & easy
1. Building performance evaluation
2. No/low cost energy efficiency
*Major
3. Longer term & more effort
1. Building performance evaluation investment is
2. Capital improvements ALWAYS the LAST
4. Review
step*
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

38. BMPs: Longer term & more effort
Building Evaluation
• Recommissioning:
“A systematic process to improve the operation of your
building systems so that they:
• Actually meet your needs (for ventilation, comfort, air
quality control)
• Use only as much energy as is really necessary to do
so.”
Center for Energy and the Environment4
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

39. BMPs: Longer term & more effort
Building Evaluation
Recommissioning - So how does it work?
• “Calibration: ensure control sensors and devices are calibrated
• Scheduling and Enabling: Turn equipment off or down when unneeded
• Air and Water Flows: Don’t run equipment at higher air or water flows
than needed
• Ventilation: Make sure the right amount of ventilation air gets in, and that
it gets to where the people are.
• Setpoints and Resets: Don’t run equipment at higher heating or lower
cooling temperatures or higher air or water pressures than needed
• Condition and Function Checks: Make sure key equipment is working
the way it should (actuators, dampers, valves, VFDs, etc.)”
Center for Energy and the Environment4
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

40. BMPs: Longer term & more effort
Building Evaluation
Recommissioning – In-house experts
• Use talents and knowledge of current maintenance staff
• Capacity building - consider investing in building management
training courses for staff
– Practices in the building industry are constantly evolving
– Extra training helps provide and ensure proper energy
management over the long term
– Utilities might help with training costs – just ask!
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

41. BMPs: Longer term & more effort
Building Evaluation
Recommissioning – Resources
• Xcel Commissioning Buildings 101
– http://www.xcelenergy.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/docs/CSS-1865.pdf
• EPA Energy Star: Building Upgrade Manual- Retrocommissioning
– http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=business.EPA_BUM_CH5_RetroComm
• Xcel Rebates and help finding a recommissioning consultant:
– http://www.xcelenergy.com/Minnesota/Business/Programs_Resources/ConservationRebates_Incentiv
es_Business/Pages/Recommissioning.aspx
• Ask your local utility about recommissioning information and
rebates
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

42. BMPs: Longer term & more effort
Building Evaluation
Energy audit:
• Inspection, analysis, and survey from professional engineers (PE)
and/or registered architects (RA) of building energy flows and
building “tightness”
• Provides recommendations for capital improvements
Energy audit - Resources
• Find PE/RAs in your area:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=expert_help.find_exp_help
Infrared image of thermal energy losses at
the German Reichstag (capital building).
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

43. BMPs: Longer term & more effort
Capital Improvement
• EPA – Energy Star
• Financials provides webinars, information, and support
www.energystar.gov
• Federal Energy Management Program
• Energy Cost Calculators for Energy-Efficient Products
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/technologies/eep_eccalculators.html
• GreenStep Cities Public Buildings
• List of resources for rebates, funding sources
http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/bestPracticesDetail.cfm?bpid=1
• DSIRE
• Database for State Incentives for Renewables and
Efficiency
http://www.dsireusa.org/
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

44. Implementing Best
Management Practices
Best Management Practices (BMPs) : specific methods which
have been proven effective and practical for reducing
energy use
1. MN Electricity Use Pie
2. Immediate & easy
1. Building performance evaluation
2. No/low cost energy efficiency
*Major
3. Longer term & more effort
1. Building performance evaluation investment is
2. Capital improvements ALWAYS the LAST
4. Review
step*
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

45. Review
Entire Process Review
1. Develop/update energy management strategy
• Remember team regular meetings!
2. Enter/update all utility data and building profile information in
B3
3. Use B3 to determine your spaces with greatest saving
potential
4. Focus on the chosen buildings, examine, and implement
Best Management Practices
5. Track usage and evaluate effectiveness of BMPs
6. Repeat Steps 1-5
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

46. Review
Questions?
And then…a quick poll!
Contact me with other questions:
Katie Jones
katie@cleanenergyresourceteams.org
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org

47. Works Cited
1. "Electric Power Monthly - Average Retail Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers: Total by End-Use Sector." U.S.
Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis. 15 Nov. 2010. Web. 02 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_3.html>.
2. Watson, Rob. Green Building Market and Impact Report 2009. Rep. Greener World Media, 2009. Web. 2 Dec.
2010. <http://www.greenbiz.com/sites/default/files/GreenBuildlingImpactReport2009.pdf>.
3. "Design and Archetecture." Willkommen to Das BioHaus! Concordia Language Villages. Web. 02 Dec. 2010.
<http://waldseebiohaus.typepad.com/biohaus/design.html>.
4. Hewett, Martha J. "Recommissioning for Improved Building Performance." Lecture. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.mncee.org>.
5. “Natural Gas Prices.” U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis. 29 Nov.
2010. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. http://www.eia.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_sum_dcu_SMN_m.htm
6. "Minnesota B3 Benchmarking & PBEEEP Webinar." State of Minnesota B3 Benchmarking. 13 Jul. 2010. Web. 04
Jan. 2011. <
http://www.mnbenchmarking.com/Documents/B3%20Webinar%20Presentation%20%28Rev%2007_13_10%29.pd
f >.
7. State of Minnesota B3 Benchmarking. Weidt Group. Web. 05 Jan. 2011.
<http://www.mnbenchmarking.com/Default.aspx>.
8. Merrigan, Michael, Paul A. Nau, and Ron Van Houten. "Reducing Elevator Energy Use: A Comparison of Posted
Feedback and Reduced Elevator Convenience." Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 14.4 (1981): 377-87. Web.
05 Jan. 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1308228/>.
9. Jogwuia, Venbing, and Nancy Kelly. Detailed Cost Savings and Rebates. 23 Nov. 2010. Raw data. Green Institute,
Minneapolis.
www.CleanEnergyResourceTeams.org