ENERGY STAR Certification

This policy applies to business that meet the following criteria.

Region

  • United States (USA)

Industries

  • Construction and Real Estate
  • Education and Research
  • Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail and Consumer Goods

Revenue

  • N/A

Assets

Size

  • N/A

Status

  • Public
  • Private

Required

  • No

Looking to certify your building or facility with ENERGY STAR?
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Overview

Introduced: 1992
Effective from: Ongoing
Region(s): United States

About

ENERGY STAR is a voluntary certification program managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that recognizes top-performing commercial buildings and industrial plants for energy efficiency. To qualify for ENERGY STAR certification, a building must perform in the top 25% of similar facilities nationwide, as measured by EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® tool.

Certified buildings use, on average, 35% less energy and generate 35% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than comparable buildings. ENERGY STAR certification is a widely recognized symbol of environmental responsibility and financial savings.

Criteria for compliance

ENERGY STAR certification is voluntary, but it is widely adopted across:

  • Commercial buildings: Office buildings, K–12 schools, hospitals, hotels, supermarkets, retail centers, and multifamily housing

  • Industrial plants: Manufacturing, food processing, cement, glass, and other heavy industries

  • Tenant spaces: Leased office spaces within multi-tenant buildings, with a separate ENERGY STAR Tenant Space recognition

Certification criteria

To earn certification, a building must:

  • Score 75 or higher (out of 100) using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®, EPA’s benchmarking tool
  • Perform better than 75% of similar buildings nationwide in energy use
  • Meet indoor environmental quality criteria, including thermal comfort and ventilation

Compliance timelines

  • ENERGY STAR certification is awarded annually, and buildings must maintain their energy performance year over year to requalify.
  • Tenant spaces: A recognition for individual leased office spaces within a multi-tenant building is also available, focusing on energy-efficient practices within the tenant’s control.

Application process

  1. Benchmark: Use Portfolio Manager to calculate your ENERGY STAR score and track performance across energy, water, and waste.
  2. Verify: A licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) must verify the data, operations, and indoor environmental quality.
  3. Submit: Verified applications are submitted through Portfolio Manager for EPA review. Certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Reporting requirements

  • Share real-time and historical energy performance data through Portfolio Manager
  • Maintain supporting documentation on building characteristics, equipment, and usage
  • Submit third-party verification forms completed by a licensed PE or RA
  • For tenants: Include documentation on metering, lighting, and equipment policies

Third-party auditing

Verification by a licensed PE or RA is mandatory. They must confirm:

  • Data accuracy
  • Ongoing compliance with criteria
  • That the building meets all indoor environmental quality standards

EPA may conduct random audits on submitted applications to ensure compliance.

Penalties for non-compliance

While this certification is a voluntary program and imposes no direct penalties, failure to meet annual performance thresholds or submit accurate data can result in:

  • Loss of certification
  • Reputational risk
  • Reduced appeal to investors, tenants, and ESG-conscious buyers
Strengthen ENERGY STAR Compliance with Greenplaces

ENERGY STAR certification starts with clean, complete energy data. Greenplaces automates benchmarking and documentation to ensure you’re audit-ready—saving you time and reducing the risk of lost certification.

Request a demo to learn how Greenplaces can simplify your path to ENERGY STAR recognition.

Similar regulations

  • United States (California)
    • SB 253: Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act
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  • United States (California)
    • SB 261: Climate-Related Financial Risk Act
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  • United States (USA)