Energy efficiency solutions in Florida

Managing your community's energy usage can be a challenge. As a board member evaluating fluctuating utility costs, emerging technologies, and the property's carbon footprint, it's understandable to become overwhelmed by the many energy efficiency solutions available. 

But you don't have to face it alone. 

By partnering with FirstService Residential you receive exclusive access to FirstService Energy, our affiliate company and trusted energy advisor. FirstService Energy offers customized and cost-effective energy efficiency solutions to reduce energy consumption and costs, ultimately reducing communities' carbon footprint and lessening their environmental impact. FirstService Energy guides boards toward sustainable solutions for today and tomorrow for a life, simplified. 

FirstService Energy provides solutions that can help:

• Reduce energy costs

• Achieve optimal energy efficiency

• Develop strategies to minimize your carbon footprint

• Identify cost-saving opportunities

• Increase property values

Energy Opportunity Assessment & Energy Benchmarking

The more you know about your building’s energy consumption, the better equipped you will be to make decisions about improvements. FirstService Energy analyzes your building’s energy usage in common areas to determine its Building Energy Rating Guide (BERG) score. We then use that data with our proprietary benchmarking database to compare it to similar residential properties. We evaluate your building’s efficiency and recommend a package of cost-effective solutions tailored to your property.

Data

It is essential to understand how your building’s energy consumption may affect your association’s bottom line. That is the first step to identify areas for financial and environmental improvement. With complex building systems and multiple operating bills, tracking it all can be challenging. Our team is here to help analyze your energy data and find energy efficiency solutions.    

Commodity energy purchasing

Our procurement specialists determine the optimal pricing solution by considering energy usage, risk tolerance, and long-term and short-term goals, delivering uniquely tailored, cost-effective strategies for buying energy.  

Personalized energy advisory services

FirstService Energy’s advisors can help your association save money and improve building operations. Our dedicated team meets with communities to help plan and develop a cost-effective strategy uniquely tailored to the property’s needs and energy goals.

Regulatory compliance in Florida

Building energy regulations are becoming more common as recognition of energy efficiency solutions in the built environment grows. These regulations encompass a variety of laws, standards, and policies, both mandatory and voluntary, aimed at promoting efficiency. Energy standards set minimum efficiency or performance levels for buildings, while some regulations mandate energy audits to pinpoint inefficiencies and propose tailored solutions. Benchmarking is a widely accepted method for evaluating compliance and performance by collecting and analyzing a building's energy and water usage data, which is then compared to established standards or similar buildings.

We can support your building with energy regulations, compliance, and benchmarking.

1. Miami: Building Efficiency 305 (BE305)

Commercial buildings contribute approximately 35 percent of Miami’s total emissions, prompting the creation of the Miami Forever Carbon Neutral initiative, which aims for carbon neutrality by 2050. As part of this effort, the BE305 program was established to reduce emissions. The Building Efficiency 305 program requires covered buildings, including commercial and multifamily structures of over 20,000 square feet or more and five or more units, to benchmark 12 months of energy and water usage data from the previous year. Initial compliance deadlines vary based on building size, with subsequent benchmarking reports due annually by June 30 following the initial compliance deadline. 

Below are the initial compliance deadlines:

• Buildings 200,000 square feet or larger: June 30

• Buildings between 100,000 square feet and 199,999 square feet: October 1

• Buildings between 50,000 and 99,999 square feet: October 1

• Buildings between 20,000 and 49,999 square feet: October 1, 2025

2. Orlando:  Building Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy

The Building Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy (BEWES) was enacted by the Orlando City Council in 2016 as part of the Green Works Orlando Community Action Plan, with anticipated savings of approximately $208 million in energy costs and the conservation of 900 million gallons of freshwater by 2030. Covered buildings, including commercial and multifamily structures of 50,000 square feet or larger, are required to annually benchmark their energy and water data. Additionally, if a building's ENERGY STAR score falls below the national average of 50, operators must conduct an energy audit or retro-commission their base building systems every five years. Benchmarking data submission is due annually by May 1.

Click here for more information on how FirstService Energy can assist with your energy management needs.