Benchmarking Tools Identify Energy-Saving Opportunities

HUD's Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) was recently presented with an Energy Star Special Recognition Award for its dedication to furthering the Energy Star program. To promote energy efficiency in public housing, PIH has instituted guidelines, policies, and practices to encourage energy conservation.

PIH's Energy Improvements Checklist (available at http://www.hud.gov) lists 15 measures that provide a solid to high return on investment, such as investing in Energy Star lighting and appliances, programmable thermostats, ductwork improvements, water conservation measures, and HVAC maintenance.

Sites can also use PIH's utility benchmarking tools to target buildings with high energy and water consumption, identify energy- and water-savings opportunities, and help with an overall asset management strategy. Energy and water are benchmarked separately, and each tool requires a few inputs to provide a building's energy or water consumption benchmark.

The data used to develop the tool was obtained by 349 public housing authorities and represents 9,100 buildings of all types and sizes. The tools are applicable for all types of residential buildings.