How do I benchmark building energy efficiency using kWh/m2?

kWh/m² (energy intensity) is the most important metric for comparing building efficiency. It normalizes consumption by area so you can fairly compare buildings of different sizes.

Where to find it: Go to Reports → Portfolio Report. Select the buildings you want to compare, set the period to a full calendar year, and include the "Energy" module. The report shows kWh/m² per building with a portfolio average.

Norwegian benchmarks for reference

• Office buildings: 150–250 kWh/m² is typical. Under 150 is good. Under 100 is excellent (approaching passive house standard).
• Retail/shopping centres: 200–400 kWh/m².
• Warehouses/logistics: 50–150 kWh/m².
• Residential apartments: 120–200 kWh/m².

How to use benchmarking

1. Rank your buildings from worst to best kWh/m². The building with the highest intensity is your biggest improvement opportunity.
2. Check the energy type breakdown — is the intensity driven by electricity, heating, or both? This tells you where to focus (insulation vs equipment vs schedules).
3. Compare year-over-year — use the Monthly Energy Breakdown with two years selected. A rising trend means deteriorating efficiency.
4. Cost per m² adds the financial dimension — two buildings might have similar kWh/m² but very different cost/m² due to energy pricing differences.

Portfolio average shown in the report gives you your fleet benchmark. Any building significantly above this average deserves investigation.

Action: Focus improvement budgets on the worst-performing building first — highest return on investment. Set annual reduction targets (e.g., 5% kWh/m² reduction) and track quarterly.

⚠️ This is general guidance only. Always consult qualified professionals before making changes to building systems.