15 Nov Introduction to the Atlanta Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Ordinance
Key Ordinance Requirements
- ASHRAE Level II Energy Audits: Property owners must perform an energy audit according to ASHRAE Standard 211. These audits should be carried out by a qualified professional every 10 years. While the recommendations from these audits are not currently mandatory, they can lead to significant long-term utility savings for building owners. Check out our blogpost on Energy Audits to learn more about the process and how we identified over $230,500 in potential annual savings for a client.
Exemptions:
- Individual tenant spaces (residential and commercial) where the owner or tenant is responsible for utilities are excluded.
- Industrial buildings and components are also exempt.
- Benchmarking: Building owners must track energy and water use and submit these reports annually to the city, no later than June 1. This process, called benchmarking, can be handled internally or outsourced to independent consultants if the property management team lacks the resources.
Exemptions
- Buildings that cannot obtain aggregated utility data are exempt. However, Georgia Power provides aggregated data for such buildings.
Energy Audit Exemptions
- Buildings with ENERGY STAR or LEED EBOM (LEED for Existing Building Operations & Maintenance) certification.
- Buildings that show a 15% improvement in their ENERGY STAR score over a five-year period.
- Buildings constructed or renovated in the last 10 years that meet current energy codes.
- Properties that can demonstrate financial hardship.
Reporting and Compliance Deadlines
Each building is assigned a 6-digit ABID number. The final digit of this number determines the year when the building must submit its audit and benchmarking data. For example, a building with the ABID number 666134 must submit its audit by December 31, 2024.
For a complete list of buildings required to comply with these audit and benchmarking regulations, visit the city’s official website here.
How SK Collaborative Can Assist
At SK Collaborative, we provide comprehensive energy audits that meet the requirements of the Atlanta Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Ordinance. Our team can help you navigate the ordinance, ensure timely compliance, and identify opportunities for energy savings.
For more information on the program and FAQs, you can visit this page.
Visit the Atlanta Building Efficiency website here for further details on the Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Ordinance’s throughout the last few years.
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