As of October 2020, tenants can now benchmark and apply for ENERGY STAR Certification for their leased office spaces. This new Tenant Space certification recognizes tenants who implement sustainability upgrades and empowers them to adopt best practices in energy efficiency for the spaces they lease.
Unlike Whole Building ENERGY STAR recognition, tenant spaces do not need to meet an energy use target to qualify. However, they must meter and record their own electric and gas usage in the building. The major difference between ENERGY STAR Tenant Space recognition and Whole Building recognition comes down to improvements in lighting efficiency. Lighting is a major source of energy use in an office space, yet can also be the most cost-effective to upgrade with a short payback period. To qualify for recognition, the leased space must have lighting systems that are 25% more efficient than standard office spaces.
There is value for both tenants and building owners in achieving ENERGY STAR Tenant Space recognition. Upgrades in leased spaces and energy efficient practices not only improve energy performance and lower utility costs, but they also support the goal of whole building energy efficiency. As tenant spaces become more efficient, the overall building energy performance also improves. This in turn helps the building itself move one step closer to achieving Whole Building Energy Star recognition or maintaining it year to year.
To learn more about eligibility requirements and for assistance on applying for ENERGY STAR Certification – either for Tenant or Whole Building – please contact Moe Fakih below.
Contributing Writer: Yvonne Lo, Project Coordinator
Moe Fakih, Principal
mfakih@vca-green.com
714-363-4700