Building energy benchmarking and transparency by NRCan

This resource discusses building energy benchmarking and transparency in Canada. Benchmarking involves measuring and comparing a building's energy use to understand and improve its performance. The resource explains the value of benchmarking and disclosure policies for various stakeholders, including building owners, the public, tenants, and governments, emphasizing potential cost savings, improved air quality, and progress towards decarbonization targets. Finally, it provides key considerations for provincial, territorial, and municipal governments when designing successful benchmarking policies, such as learning from other jurisdictions, ensuring data access, establishing reporting mechanisms, and seeking support from organizations like NRCan.

In February 2017, the Ontario government introduced the Reporting of Energy Consumption and Water Use Regulation 20/17. This new regulation requires owners of commercial, multi-unit residential, institutional or industrial buildings over 50,000 square feet in size to report their property's water and energy usage on an annual basis. A guide is available to help with submitting energy and water reports to the Ministry of Energy and Mines by the July 1 deadline.

Effective 2024, the City of Toronto requires owners of buildings in Toronto that are 50,000 square feet and larger to report their energy and water use to the city. There are plans to phase in smaller buildings in future years.