L.A.’s new ordinance requires energy and water efficiency benchmarking

The City of Los Angeles recently passed an ordinance requiring buildings of 20,000 sf or more to take steps to improve energy and water efficiency.

Structures of that size must:

• Benchmark their use of energy and water consumption
• Provide this information to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety
• Demonstrate steps being taken to reduce energy and water consumption

In L.A., 4% of the city's buildings are responsible for half of the total energy used in the city, so this ordinance could have a significant impact on consumption. Building owners must benchmark their energy and water use using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.

Facilities will be able to compare their use of energy and water to comparably sized buildings. The ordinance also lets building owners know about and take advantage of tax incentives that help reduce consumption.

“The program will be phased in over the next two years and while it is somewhat involved, there are many benefits to building owners,” says Klaus Reichardt, Founder, and CEO of Waterless Co., a manufacturer of no-water urinals and other restroom products.