ENERGY STAR · Step by step
The ENERGY STAR certification process for commercial buildings
How an ENERGY STAR commercial building goes from utility bills to a certificate on the wall — benchmarking, the 75 score threshold, Professional Engineer verification, and annual recertification.
ENERGY STAR certification is the EPA's recognition for buildings that perform in the top 25 percent of comparable properties nationwide. The process is well defined, but it runs on accurate data and a licensed Professional Engineer's verification — and that is where most submissions stall. Here is the process, end to end.
Step 1
Benchmark the building in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
Certification starts in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, the EPA's free benchmarking tool. Twelve months of utility data, building characteristics, and operating schedules are entered and updated, and Portfolio Manager calculates the building's energy performance score from 1 to 100 against similar buildings nationwide.
Step 2
Reach an energy performance score of 75 or higher
An ENERGY STAR commercial building must earn a score of 75 or better to qualify for certification — meaning it performs better than at least 75 percent of comparable properties. If the score falls short, the fastest gains usually come from operational fixes: schedules, setpoints, lighting controls, and obvious equipment waste before any capital project.
Step 3
Meet the indoor environmental quality requirements
Certification also requires documentation of indoor environmental quality — ventilation, thermal comfort, and lighting conditions — so efficiency gains do not come at the expense of the people inside the building.
Step 4
Professional Engineer verification
Before submission, a licensed Professional Engineer (or registered architect) reviews the application, confirms the accuracy of the energy data and building characteristics, and signs the statement of energy performance. If anything in the record is incomplete or inconsistent, the PE identifies it before the EPA does.
Step 5
Apply and receive certification
The verified application is submitted through Portfolio Manager to the EPA for review. Once accepted, the building receives its ENERGY STAR certificate and can display the mark.
Step 6
Recertify every year
Certification is valid for one year. To maintain it, the building's energy data must be updated and a professional re-verification completed annually — which is why most owners fold recertification into a recurring annual service rather than a one-time project.
Need a PE to complete the verification?
We specialize in ENERGY STAR building certification services.
Academy Engineering helps commercial clients certify and re-certify their buildings at competitive prices. A Professional Engineer reviews your Portfolio Manager record, resolves data issues before submission, completes the PE verification, and manages the annual recertification so the certificate never lapses. We also reserve a limited number of free certification reviews each year for non-profit organizations.
Common questions
- How long does the ENERGY STAR certification process take?
- Once a building is already benchmarked and performing at a score of 75 or higher, verification and application are typically a matter of weeks. Buildings that need to improve their score first should plan for the operational changes to show up in the data before applying.
- Does a Professional Engineer have to verify the application?
- Yes. EPA rules require the application to be verified and signed by a licensed Professional Engineer or registered architect before submission.
- What does certification cost?
- Costs depend on the building's size, the completeness of its Portfolio Manager record, and how much data cleanup is needed. Academy Engineering provides fixed, competitive pricing once we have seen the property record — contact us with the number of buildings and square footage for a quote.
- How often must a building be recertified?
- Annually. Certification is valid for one year, and maintaining it requires updated energy data and professional re-verification each year.
ENERGY STAR building certification services