Why Energy Benchmarking Matters
California law requires large commercial and multifamily buildings to annually measure and report their energy and water consumption. This data is publicly disclosed — meaning buyers, tenants, and lenders can see your building's efficiency score before they sign anything.
Missing the June 1st deadline isn't just a fine — it creates a compliance gap in the public record that affects your property's perceived value and its ability to pass due diligence in transactions. Datum manages the entire process so you never miss a deadline.
What We Handle End-to-End
- ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account setup
- Utility authorization letters & data requests
- 12-month consumption data entry and verification
- CEC submission (AB 802) and confirmation
- LADBS submission (EBEWE) and tracking
- PE-stamped energy audit coordination (EBEWE, every 5 years)
Does Your Building Qualify?
Commercial 50,000+ SF (statewide)
Office, retail, industrial, hotel, healthcare — if it's 50,000 SF or larger anywhere in California, AB 802 applies.
Multifamily 17+ units (statewide)
Apartment buildings with 17 or more units must benchmark under AB 802 regardless of square footage.
Any building 20,000+ SF in LA City
Los Angeles City's EBEWE ordinance covers ALL buildings — residential, commercial, mixed-use — at just 20,000 SF. Most owners don't know LA's threshold is lower.
From Data to Submission
A five-step process to gather, verify, and submit your benchmarking data before the deadline — every year.
Property Assessment
Verify building size, type, and applicable ordinance (AB 802 and/or EBEWE)
Utility Data Collection
Gather 12 months of energy and water data from utilities or sub-metering
Portfolio Manager Entry
Input all data into ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and verify accuracy
Benchmarking Report
Generate the official benchmarking report with Energy Use Intensity (EUI) score
Agency Submission
Submit to CEC (AB 802) and/or LADBS (EBEWE) before the June 1st deadline
AB 802 vs. EBEWE — Know the Difference
Two separate programs with overlapping jurisdiction in Los Angeles. Many owners unknowingly only comply with one.
| Requirement | AB 802 | EBEWE (LA City) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Building Size | 50,000 SF (commercial) / 17+ units (multifamily) | 20,000 SF — ALL building types in LA City |
| Jurisdiction | Statewide (California) | LA City limits only |
| What's Tracked | Energy only | Energy + Water |
| Files With | California Energy Commission (CEC) | LA Dept of Building & Safety (LADBS) |
| Annual Deadline | June 1st | June 1st |
| Energy Audit Required? | No | Yes — every 5 years (PE-stamped) |
| Penalty (non-compliance) | $500–$2,000/day | $202 + 250% late fee surcharge |
| Public Disclosure | Yes — published on CEC website | Yes — affects property transactions |
What We Measure & Report
Every energy and water data point your compliance requires — collected, verified, and submitted.
What You Receive
Every benchmarking engagement includes a complete compliance package — not just a submission number.
- ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account setup and data entry
- 12-month utility data collection and normalization
- Official benchmarking report with Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
- Water Use Intensity (WUI) report for EBEWE properties
- CEC disclosure submission confirmation (AB 802)
- LADBS submission and tracking number (EBEWE)
- Compliance certificate and documentation for your records
- Year-over-year comparison if prior data is available
Transparent, Fixed-Fee Pricing
AB 802 or EBEWE — data collection, entry, and submission for one building.
AB 802 + EBEWE combined — one engagement, both agencies covered.
Volume discounts available. All properties managed under one account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about AB 802, EBEWE, and the benchmarking process.
AB 802 (Energy Use Disclosure) requires commercial buildings 50,000 square feet or larger in California to annually benchmark their energy consumption in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and disclose that data to the California Energy Commission (CEC). Multifamily buildings with 17+ units are also covered. The deadline is June 1st each year.
EBEWE (Existing Buildings Energy and Water Efficiency Program) is a Los Angeles City ordinance that applies to ALL buildings 20,000 SF or larger within LA City limits — not just commercial. EBEWE also tracks water consumption in addition to energy, requires periodic energy audits, and files with LADBS rather than the CEC. The penalty structure is also different: a $202 fine plus a 250% late fee surcharge.
Possibly both, yes. If your building is 50,000+ SF in LA City, both AB 802 and EBEWE apply. If it's 20,000–49,999 SF in LA City, only EBEWE applies. Outside LA City, if 50,000+ SF, only AB 802 applies. We assess your exact situation at no charge before quoting.
Under AB 802, violations can result in fines ranging from $500 to $2,000 per day. Under EBEWE, the penalty is $202 plus a 250% surcharge on top of the compliance fee. Both programs also create a public compliance record that can affect your property's perceived value and marketability.
Every 5 years, EBEWE buildings must conduct a comprehensive energy audit performed by a licensed engineer (PE). The audit evaluates systems (HVAC, lighting, envelope) and recommends efficiency measures. Datum coordinates PE-stamped audits as part of our EBEWE compliance service.
For a straightforward single-building property, we typically complete data collection and submission within 2–3 weeks. For portfolio clients or buildings with submetered tenants, 4–6 weeks is normal. We recommend starting no later than April 1st to ensure well ahead of the June 1st deadline.
Yes — portfolio benchmarking is one of our specialties. We manage all buildings under a single Portfolio Manager account, coordinate bulk utility data requests, and submit all properties in one coordinated workflow. Volume discounts apply for 5+ properties.
Single buildings start at $400. Pricing scales with building complexity, number of meters, and whether an EBEWE audit is required. We provide fixed-fee quotes after a brief intake call — no hourly billing surprises.