Benchmarking Protocol

Benchmarking is the annual reporting of whole-building energy consumption using automated utility data collection. As of February 2016, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) require building owners, with 5+ units, receiving HPD/HDC financing to submit building-level energy usage data as a condition of financing.

Building owners must engage a pre-qualified Benchmarking Service Provider to share utility data with HPD through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager platform. Annual submission of this data aligns with and satisfies the requirements of New York City Local Law 84, where applicable.

Benchmarking enables owners to improve building performance, allows HPD/HDC to underwrite potential energy savings, and supports New York City’s greenhouse gas reduction goal of 80 percent by 2050.

Note: HPD/HDC will open the Benchmarking RFQ biennially for new providers to become Pre-Qualified Providers. The RFQ will open again in 2027.

Requirements:

HPD Project Managers must also review the Benchmarking Project Manager Checklist as early in the development process as possible for all required documentation and a step-by-step guide on when and how to engage Owners about the Benchmarking Protocol.

After completing the Benchmarking Account Set-up Form and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager as outlined in instructions on the Account Set-up Form, Benchmarking Providers must use the Annual Reporting Link to submit their benchmarking report to HPD by August 15^th.

Calendar Year 2026/ Reporting Year 2025 Benchmarking Reporting Link

Owners must review the Benchmarking Guidance: Transfer of Properties to New Providers at the end of your Benchmarking contract if you do not plan on renewing with the same Provider.

Contact: benchmarking@hpd.nyc.gov

Benchmarking Process

Benchmarking process summary graphic, details in text below.