ENERGY STAR remains one of the most widely used tools for benchmarking building performance—but it is often misunderstood as a static score rather than a dynamic system.
For real estate owners and operators, ENERGY STAR is not just about certification. It is a framework for understanding how buildings perform, how they compare to peers, and where improvement opportunities exist. But the details behind that framework—how scores are calculated, why they change, and how the platform is evolving—matter more than most teams realize.
ENERGY STAR is a benchmarking system, not just a certification
For commercial buildings, ENERGY STAR is built around benchmarking.
Using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, organizations track energy, water, emissions, and other performance metrics across buildings. The platform provides more than 100 different metrics to help evaluate performance, including energy use intensity (EUI), emissions, and cost indicators.
For certain property types, Portfolio Manager also generates a 1–100 ENERGY STAR score, which compares a building’s energy performance against similar buildings nationwide.
- A score of 50 represents median performance
- A score of 75 or higher indicates top performance and eligibility for certification
That score is often what gets the most attention—but it is only one part of the platform’s value.
Portfolio Manager is the backbone of ENERGY STAR for buildings
Portfolio Manager is where benchmarking actually happens. It allows organizations to:
- track utility consumption across buildings
- normalize energy use for weather and building characteristics
- compare performance across assets and time periods
- generate ENERGY STAR scores where applicable
- support compliance with local benchmarking ordinances
For many portfolios, it also becomes the system of record for energy data—especially in cities and jurisdictions where benchmarking is required.
What the ENERGY STAR score really tells you
The 1–100 score is designed to answer a specific question: How does this building perform compared to similar buildings?
It does not measure absolute efficiency in isolation. Instead, it evaluates performance relative to peer buildings, accounting for factors like:
- building size
- operating hours
- occupancy
- climate
That is why the score is useful for benchmarking—but also why it can change even when a building’s operations have not.
Why ENERGY STAR scores change (even if nothing changes on your end)
One of the most common frustrations with ENERGY STAR is unexpected score movement. In most cases, score changes are not random (although they may feel that way to you). They are driven by updates to the underlying models and data.
ENERGY STAR periodically updates its scoring models to reflect more recent building performance data. This is part of a standard process to ensure scores remain relevant and aligned with current market conditions.
More recently, updates have also been made to how buildings are normalized for weather. In 2025, Portfolio Manager:
- expanded the number of weather stations used
- shifted to a 15-year weather average instead of 30 years
- remapped many buildings to different weather stations
These types of updates can cause scores to increase or decrease—even if the building itself has not changed. This is exactly why ENERGY STAR scores should always be interpreted with context and alongside other data sources.
What’s changing in ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is always evolving. It’s important to keep an eye on their site, where they post major release dates and notes as they happen. Here’s a summary of recent changes:
Ongoing score model updates
EPA continues to update score models for different property types as new data becomes available. For example, updates are in progress for multifamily buildings, with expected changes based on more recent energy and water use data.
These updates can shift how buildings are evaluated relative to the market.
Portfolio Manager modernization
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is undergoing one of its largest upgrades in years, with planned improvements including:
- a modernized user interface
- expanded emissions tracking
- support for building performance standards (BPS)
- enhanced tracking for RECs and refrigerants
This reflects a broader shift: benchmarking is becoming more integrated with emissions tracking and regulatory compliance.
More frequent platform updates
Portfolio Manager now receives regular updates and fixes throughout the year, reflecting an increasingly active development cycle.
For users, this means the tool is evolving continuously—not just during major releases.
Why benchmarking still matters
Despite changes and updates, the core purpose of ENERGY STAR has not shifted.
Benchmarking remains one of the most effective ways to:
- understand building performance
- identify underperforming assets
- prioritize efficiency investments
- track improvement over time
- support reporting and compliance
In many cases, benchmarking is also a requirement. Cities and jurisdictions across the U.S. rely on ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager as the standard platform for energy disclosure.
How organizations improve ENERGY STAR scores
Improving an ENERGY STAR score is not about “gaming” the system. It is about improving how buildings perform.
In practice, that usually involves:
Improving operational efficiency
- optimizing HVAC schedules
- reducing unnecessary runtime
- aligning systems with occupancy
- fixing control issues
Reducing energy waste
- identifying abnormal usage patterns
- addressing equipment inefficiencies
- improving maintenance practices
Managing peak demand and load shape
- reducing spikes in energy use
- smoothing demand patterns
- improving overall building performance consistency
Improving data quality
- ensuring complete utility coverage
- correcting meter gaps or errors
- maintaining consistent reporting boundaries
Often, the biggest improvements come from a combination of operational fixes and better visibility into how buildings actually use energy.
Why ENERGY STAR is still relevant in a broader strategy
While ENERGY STAR is not a full sustainability framework, it plays a critical role in a strong energy and sustainability management plan. ENERGY STAR connects directly to:
- utility data and energy performance
- Scope 2 emissions
- benchmarking compliance requirements
- building-level efficiency strategies
It also feeds into broader efforts like:
- GRESB reporting
- net zero planning
- energy risk management
- portfolio optimization
In that sense, ENERGY STAR is often the perfect starting point for understanding building performance.
How Tango helps
Tango Energy & Sustainability helps organizations get more value out of ENERGY STAR by strengthening the data and workflows behind it.
That includes:
- centralized utility data management
- improved data completeness and accuracy
- alignment between Portfolio Manager and internal systems
- better visibility into performance across portfolios
With stronger data and clearer insight, ENERGY STAR becomes more than a compliance tool, but a way to understand performance and act on it.
