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About ESPM Metrics

ESPM offers a wide range of metrics to help track annual property performance, including energy and water use, emissions, and waste. ESPM metrics are useful for understanding and comparing building performance, and they form the foundation of data submitted for Building Performance Standards (BPS) and Energy Benchmarking requirements across the U.S. and Canada. ESPM metrics provide users with a reliable view of performance that can be reported to comply with local regulations. However, ESPM metrics are only available when data is complete, error-free, and the following conditions are met:
  • No Data Gaps: All in-metric meters must have complete data with no missing periods.
  • No Overlaps: Meters cannot have overlapping readings (e.g., duplicate bills for the same dates).
  • No Extended Entries: No data entries can exceed 65 days; entire-year entries (e.g., a single 12-month bill) are not allowed.
  • Full-Year Coverage: Data must be available for all 12 months for each energy type.
ESPM metrics are often not available due to minor data quality issues, making analysis difficult.

Performance Metrics

Abisko enables users to analyze trends, gauge readiness for reporting, and make informed decisions, even when ESPM does not generate a metric due to data quality issues.
  • Example: If a single in-metric energy meter has a data gap, ESPM will not report a value for Site EUI. In this case, Abisko will still calculate Site EUI in the presence of the data gap, and will present the value with corresponding data completeness (%) and other relevant warnings, to enables users to continue analysis in the presence of incomplete data.

List of Imported ESPM Metrics

The following is a list of all ESPM metrics that Abisko automatically imports during its nightly syncs. For detailed definitions , users can refer to the official ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager (ESPM) documentation.
Property GFA – Calculated (Buildings) is the sum of the gross floor area (GFA) of all Property Uses entered on the Details tab, excluding parking. This is the GFA used to calculate Energy Use Intensity (EUI) in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® (ESPM).This value is time-weighted, meaning it changes as property use floor areas change over time, and should match your Property GFA – Self-Reported.
Property GFA – Calculated (Buildings and Parking) is the sum of the GFA of all Property Uses entered on the Details tab plus all parking GFA. This value is also time-weighted.
This reflects any updates to the property, including changes to the property name, address, GFA, external IDs, or meter consumption data. Saving data—even without making an actual edit—will update this field. Sharing, transferring, or reporting does not trigger an update.
Cooling Degree Days (CDD) represent the cumulative cooling demand for a property. For each day, CDD equals the number of degrees the average temperature is above 65°F. For example, a day with an average temperature of 80°F contributes 15 CDD. Values are summed annually.
Heating Degree Days (HDD) represent the cumulative heating demand for a property. For each day, HDD equals the number of degrees the average temperature is below 65°F. For example, a day with an average temperature of 55°F contributes 10 HDD. Values are summed annually.
The ENERGY STAR score (1–100) compares your building’s energy performance to similar buildings nationwide. A score of 50 represents median performance, while a score of 75 or higher may qualify the property for ENERGY STAR certification.
Site Energy Use is the total annual amount of energy consumed at the property from all on-site energy sources.
Weather Normalized Site Energy Use represents the energy your property would have consumed under 30-year average weather conditions, allowing for fair year-over-year comparisons.
Site Energy Use Intensity (Site EUI) is calculated by dividing total site energy use by the property’s gross floor area, normalizing energy consumption by building size.
Weather Normalized Site EUI reflects the site EUI your property would have under average weather conditions, enabling comparisons across years and climates.
The amount of electricity purchased from the grid. This excludes any electricity generated onsite from renewable systems.
The amount of electricity generated by onsite renewable systems (such as solar or wind) and consumed directly at the property. Exported electricity is excluded.
The total amount of natural gas consumed onsite for heating, cooling, or other uses.
Onsite green power includes renewable electricity generated at the property that qualifies under EPA Green Power Partnership guidelines and for which Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are retained.
Offsite green power includes qualifying renewable electricity purchased from third parties, such as green tariffs or bundled renewable products.
The total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the property’s energy use, calculated using the location-based method based on regional grid emissions (e.g., eGRID).
Direct GHG emissions result from fuels combusted onsite, such as natural gas used for heating or onsite generators.
Indirect GHG emissions from electricity consumption calculated using regional average emissions factors.
Indirect GHG emissions calculated using the market-based method, reflecting contractual instruments such as RECs or green power purchases.
The total volume of water consumed by the property from all sources, including municipal supply, wells, and onsite systems.
Water Use Intensity (WUI) is calculated by dividing total water consumption by gross floor area.
Waste materials diverted from landfill or incineration through recycling, composting, or reuse.
Waste sent to landfill or incineration and not diverted through recycling or composting.
Waste materials separated and processed for recycling.
Lists the years the property achieved ENERGY STAR certification along with the corresponding scores.
The most recent date on which the property received ENERGY STAR certification approval.
The earliest future date when the property is eligible to reapply for ENERGY STAR certification.

Accessing ESPM Metrics

Users can track and view ESPM performance metrics in multiple locations across the platform.

Portfolio Tabs

  • Property Trends → ESPM
  • Reports → ESPM
    • ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® Gaps & Flags Report: A comprehensive excel report that identifies potentially anomalous property attributes, property performance metrics, meter configurations, and meter entries across the portfolio. Threshold parameters, which are used to detect potential anomalies, can be set by the user prior to report generation.
    • Meter Status by Provider: An excel report that lists every meter in the portfolio that is updated by a specific data provider with additional information about when the meter was last updated and its configuration.
    • ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® - Multiyear Performance: A performance based excel report that includes performance metrics calculated by ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager over a period of four years.

Property Tabs

ESPM pages and plots may be hidden for non-ESPM properties as they are not applicable.
  • Performance → Reports → ESPM Annualized Report
  • Dashboard → ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® Performance Plot