Testimonials

Why use B3 Benchmarking?

• We use B3 Benchmarking to see how we are doing compared to other schools. Because there are so many schools using it, I believe it’s the best tool for a MN school to gauge progress, set goals, etc.

• We use B3 Benchmarking to pinpoint problem buildings and fix issues before they turn into large problems.

• We use B3 Benchmarking to make sure our energy use is in line or better than other like facilities.

Taking action

• With the tool, we can make small or large adjustments in the facilities and see how that affects our consumption. For instance, we ask questions like, "what if we decide to turn off certain banks of lights in off peak hours?" and we can find the answer. By tracking consumption, the tool tells us how worthwhile such efforts are for us.

• Because of our B3 results, we are in the process of getting a recommissioning study since our City Hall facility is above its benchmark.

• We used the benchmark to determine the Lake Crystal Recreation Center building had room for improvement and installed a lighting retrofit.

Favorite features

• It [the Rating and Disclosure System] is a great site, and I am happy that kind of information is available to the public. It is immensely helpful having that kind of information be so transparent and will allow me to encourage our various chapters across the state to provide support to their respective cities to help improve the energy and water efficiency of their public buildings.

• • I find that the quarterly improvement report is useful as it gives a snapshot of which buildings may have some energy conservation opportunities.

  • The reports tab is where I like to look for an overall view of past and present usage.

• • The cost avoidance report is a great tool for B3 to have.

  • Thank you so much, state of MN, for this great tool!

• B3 Benchmarking is an invaluable tool that adds visibility and gives accessibility to our building energy performance. In contrast to our building automation systems, the dashboards and the four main analyses in B3 really help us understand our energy consumption. It has been worth the investment of time to maintain our data, because it makes us much more efficient at analysis. Also, because the information and graphics are intelligently displayed, it makes energy exciting to talk about.
  
  From a leadership standpoint, we are much better able to prepare and communicate about buildings. For example, when the Adjutant General makes a visit to an armory, he uses B3 analysis to prepare himself with information about that building’s performance. He then knows what to investigate at the site if there are problems, or he knows that congratulations to the building manager are in order for reducing energy consumption. Being able to provide that feedback is invaluable for engaging remote building managers.
  
  We are really integrating B3 Benchmarking into how we operate buildings. Analysis results influence our work order process and our investments. I personally use B3 most to prioritize buildings for annual audits. Using the Index Ratio, I identify buildings that are the highest consumers and I make sure I hit those first. With the audit results, I am excited to begin exploring the improvements feature to set realistic targets and use these targets as a communication and motivation tool.

• • We use the tool, because it combines monthly bill entry, reporting and ENERGY STAR® into one intuitive package. The software is accessible from the Web so that multiple users (with password capability) can enter information. We utilize the report features for analyzing trends in consumption verses costs, and especially like the weather normalization when comparing monthly and annual consumption. We also use the data export feature to create additional spreadsheets and customize to particular business needs.

  • After looking at ENERGY STAR® and other benchmarking tools, we chose B3 benchmarking because the system specialized in analyzing public buildings. As a result of using the tool, we learned that our City Hall was using much more energy than other city halls in Iowa, which has spurred us to do and justify the costs for a recommissioning study of the building.