Washington Clean Buildings · Tier 2 guide
Getting utility data into Portfolio Manager for Tier 2
Benchmarking is usually the slowest Tier 2 step for small owners, because it depends on utilities. Here is what the law requires utilities to provide and how to get started.
What Tier 2 benchmarking needs
Tier 2 owners benchmark net energy use in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a free EPA tool, using at least 12 consecutive months of data (Commerce, Tier 2 compliance).
What utilities must provide
Utilities must provide energy consumption data to building owners on request, with or without tenants. Utilities with more than 25,000 customers must use Portfolio Manager's automated upload; smaller utilities may provide a Portfolio Manager-ready spreadsheet (RCW 19.27A.170; Commerce, Tier 2 compliance).
Steps
- Create a free Portfolio Manager account and add the property.
- List every meter: electric, gas, steam, and each tenant meter.
- Contact each utility's benchmarking team and request whole-building data.
- Check for gaps: you need 12 full consecutive months.
- Share the property with your QEM.
Common snags
- Tenant-metered apartments: whole-building aggregated data is what you request, not individual bills.
- Delivered fuels (oil, propane) need manual entry.
- Recent purchases: you may lack prior months; an extension for a recent change of ownership may apply (extension guide).
Already benchmarking for Seattle? See Seattle benchmarking vs. Tier 2. Estimate your size and possible incentive with our free Tier 2 calculator.
Quick answers
Do Washington utilities have to give me my building energy data?
Yes. Under RCW 19.27A.170, utilities must provide energy consumption data to owners of covered buildings on request, including tenant-occupied buildings.
How many months of data do I need for Tier 2?
At least 12 consecutive months, entered in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
Is Portfolio Manager free?
Yes, it is a free EPA tool.
Official sources
Want to know where your building stands?
Send us a building name or address and we'll reply with a free one-page Building Snapshot: our preliminary assessment of likely Tier 2 status from public information (for the owner or QEM to confirm), the deadline, the potential maximum penalty, an incentive estimate and a to‑do list. If you go ahead, we prepare draft documents on Commerce's templates for your QEM to review, revise, approve and submit.