How to Get ENERGY STAR Certified for Buildings Step by Step
Building owners across the country want to prove their properties use less energy than competitors. ENERGY STAR certification gives you that proof. It shows your building performs in the top 25% for energy efficiency nationwide. This matters when you're trying to attract tenants who care about sustainability, reduce operating costs, or qualify for tax incentives. The certification also helps you market your property and potentially increase its value.
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This guide walks you through each step. You'll learn how to set up your Portfolio Manager account, benchmark your building's energy use, improve your score if needed, submit your application, and complete the verification process. We'll also cover what it costs, who can help, and how to maintain your certification year after year.
What ENERGY STAR certification requires
ENERGY STAR certification demands your building meet three core requirements. First, your property must score 75 or higher on EPA's 1 to 100 energy performance scale. This score compares your building's energy use to similar properties across the nation. Second, you need to track all energy consumption in Portfolio Manager, EPA's free online tool. Third, a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) must verify your application data before EPA approves your certification.
Score and eligibility basics
Your building must fall into one of the eligible property types to qualify. These include office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, hospitals, retail stores, warehouses, and several dozen other categories. Mixed-use properties can also qualify if the eligible portion meets size requirements. You can check the complete list in Portfolio Manager when you create your account. Properties must be at least 75% occupied during the performance period you're measuring.
Buildings need consistent energy data for 12 consecutive months to generate a valid score.
Verification requirements
The verification step costs between $500 and $2,000 for most buildings. Your verifier reviews your property details, confirms your square footage matches reality, and checks that your energy bills reflect actual consumption. They also verify you meet indoor environment criteria related to temperature, humidity, and ventilation. This verification happens every year because certification expires after 12 months.
Step 1. Set up Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Manager serves as EPA's free web-based tool for tracking your building's energy and water consumption. You need this account before you can generate an ENERGY STAR score or apply for certification. The platform stores all your property data, utility bills, and performance metrics in one location. Setting up takes about 15 to 30 minutes if you have your building information ready.
Create your account
Visit the Portfolio Manager website and click "Create Account" in the upper right corner. You'll need to provide your email address, create a password, and verify your account through a confirmation link. EPA doesn't charge any fees for this service. Once you verify your email, log in and complete your profile with your contact information and organization name. Your account gives you lifetime access to track multiple properties and apply for certifications as needed.
Add your property details
Click "Add Property" from your dashboard to start entering building information. You'll select your property type from the dropdown menu, then input your building's address, gross floor area in square feet, and year built. Portfolio Manager also asks for operational characteristics like number of workers, operating hours, and number of computers. These details help EPA compare your building to similar facilities when calculating your score. Make sure you measure floor area wall to wall, including all conditioned and unconditioned spaces, because incorrect square footage will affect your final score.
Accurate property data forms the foundation for understanding how to get energy star certified.
Step 2. Benchmark and improve your score
Benchmarking reveals how your building performs compared to similar properties nationwide. You enter 12 months of utility bills into Portfolio Manager, and the system calculates your score. Buildings that score 75 or higher can apply for certification. Most properties start below this threshold and need targeted improvements before qualifying for how to get energy star certified status.
Enter your utility data
Portfolio Manager requires you to add meters for each energy source your building uses. Click "Add Meter" under your property, then select your utility type (electricity, natural gas, district steam, or others). Enter your monthly consumption and cost from your utility bills for 12 consecutive months. You can type data manually or upload spreadsheets using their template. Make sure your dates align correctly because gaps in data prevent score calculation. The system converts all energy types to a common unit (kBtu) for comparison.
Review your score
Portfolio Manager generates your score automatically after you enter 12 months of complete utility data and property details. The score appears on your property's overview page. Scores below 75 mean you need to reduce energy consumption before applying. Your score updates monthly as you add new utility bills, so you can track progress over time.
Buildings scoring below 75 typically need 3 to 12 months of efficiency improvements before qualifying.
Make targeted improvements
Focus on HVAC system optimization first because heating and cooling account for 40% of building energy use. Replace old equipment with ENERGY STAR certified units, fix duct leaks, and install programmable thermostats. Upgrade to LED lighting throughout your facility. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and the building envelope. Add insulation where needed. Each improvement raises your score incrementally until you reach the 75-point threshold required for certification.
Step 3. Apply for certification online
Portfolio Manager displays an "Apply for ENERGY STAR Certification" link at the top of your property page once you achieve a score of 75 or higher. This link only appears for eligible properties that meet all requirements. You complete the entire application online through your existing Portfolio Manager account. The application itself takes 15 to 20 minutes to fill out when you have all your information ready.
Navigate to the application page
Log into Portfolio Manager and select the property you want to certify from your dashboard. The certification link appears in a blue banner at the top of your property overview page. Click this link to start your application. Portfolio Manager automatically pulls your property details, utility data, and ENERGY STAR score into the application form. You can save your progress and return later if you need to gather additional information before submitting.
Complete the application form
The application requires you to confirm your property use details, including square footage, occupancy levels, and operational hours. You'll answer questions about your building's indoor environment criteria, such as whether you maintain adequate temperature and ventilation. Portfolio Manager asks you to certify that all data is accurate and complete. After you review everything, click submit. The system sends your application to the verification queue where it waits for a licensed professional to review and approve it.
Applications remain active for 90 days from submission before they expire and require resubmission.
Step 4. Complete verification and renew yearly
Your application sits in a pending state until a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) reviews and verifies your data. This verification confirms your property details are accurate, your energy bills match actual consumption, and your building meets indoor environment standards. Verification typically costs $500 to $2,000 depending on your building size and complexity. You can hire someone from EPA's online directory or use a qualified professional from your own network.
Find a licensed verifier
Search EPA's online directory of licensed professionals who have completed ENERGY STAR verifications before. Contact several verifiers to compare rates and availability. Some offer remote verification that reduces costs by reviewing documents electronically instead of conducting on-site visits. Your verifier logs into Portfolio Manager using special credentials you grant them, reviews your application, and digitally stamps it when everything checks out. Most verifications take one to two weeks once you provide all requested documentation.
Properties that maintain their performance can renew certification annually without major additional improvements.
Plan for annual renewal
ENERGY STAR certification expires after 12 months from your approval date. You must reapply each year to maintain your certified status. The process mirrors how to get energy star certified the first time. Update your utility data in Portfolio Manager, verify your score stays at 75 or higher, submit a new application, and arrange verification. Buildings that continue using efficient practices typically maintain qualifying scores year after year.
Keep your building performing
Maintaining your certification requires consistent attention to energy consumption throughout the year. Track your utility bills monthly in Portfolio Manager to catch any performance drops early. Schedule regular HVAC maintenance, replace filters on time, and fix equipment issues immediately. Your building needs continuous monitoring to stay above the 75-point threshold when renewal time arrives.
Buildings that install whole house ventilation systems often see sustained energy savings because these systems reduce air conditioning loads during mild weather. Whole house fans can lower cooling costs by 50 to 90 percent, helping you maintain the efficient performance needed for how to get energy star certified status year after year.