There are plenty of resources available for large buildings and institutions in Boston that are interested in finding ways to reduce their energy use. The best place for any property or business to start is with your utilities. They will work with you to identify the best opportunities for savings and help connect you with special rebates. Below are additional opportunities and resources.
Resources and Rebates
Mass Save
Utility Programs
Eversource offers tools for energy efficiency. To learn more, click here. To learn about National Grid’s programs for natural gas efficiency click here.
Virtual Energy Assessments
Virtual Energy Assessments are an emerging technology that provides building owners with a greater understanding of their building’s energy use and operations using inputs from utility meters and computer modeling. A Better City recently conducted a study that evaluates Virtual Energy Assessments. The technology was piloted with nine properties within Boston to investigate how useful the results of virtual energy assessments were to building operations and management staff; if actionable improvements and opportunities were identified; the limitations of the technology, and if the technology was a viable alternative to more expensive walk-through audit requirements. See the new report from A Better City: Virtual Energy Assessments: An Emerging Technology to Understand Building Energy Use and Opportunities.
Peer Learning and Support Groups
A Better City Challenge for Sustainability
A voluntary program challenging members to increase their sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program challenges and recognizes businesses, institutions, and building owners to meet a borad range of sustainability standards and practices. Contact ABC here.
Boston Green Tourism
Boston Green Tourism helps hotels reduce energy, water, waste and toxins through workshops, newsletters, and onsite training sessions. Learn more and contact BGT here.
EPA Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Manager is an online tool used to measure and track energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. It is also the reporting mechanism for the City’s Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance. Learn more.
USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
A green building certification program. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for their project.
Sustainable Business Network
A nonprofit organization based with the mission to build a Massachusetts economy that is local, green and fair. Currently, SBN has over 1000 affiliates participating in programs.
Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance
The Building Energy Reporting Disclosure and Ordinance (BERDO), requires Boston’s large and medium-sized buildings to report their annual energy and water use to the City of Boston. Explore the most recent results here.
Recognition
Greenovate Boston Awards
The Greenovate Boston Awards are annual awards recognizing outstanding achievement in sustainability among the Boston community.
Mayor’s Carbon Cup
A voluntary recognition program for large hospitals, universities and commercial building portfolios committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.
Better Buildings Challenge
A US Department of Energy Challenge that supports commercial and industrial building owners by providing technical assistance and proven solutions to energy efficiency.
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