How do I compare costs across buildings to find inefficiencies?

The Portfolio Report is designed for cross-building comparison. Here's a step-by-step approach to finding inefficiencies:

Step 1: Generate a comparison report.

Go to Reports → Portfolio Report. Select all buildings you want to compare. Set the period to a full calendar year (e.g., Jan 1 – Dec 31 2025). Enable the "Energy" and "Financial" modules.

Step 2: Compare kWh/m² (energy intensity).

This is the single most important efficiency metric — it normalizes consumption by area so you compare fairly regardless of building size. The report ranks buildings by kWh/m² with a portfolio average line.

Step 3: Compare cost per m².

Two buildings might have similar kWh/m² but very different cost/m² due to energy pricing differences. If Building A pays 1.50 NOK/kWh and Building B pays 0.95 NOK/kWh for the same energy type, investigate the contracts.

Step 4: Check the utility mix.

Some buildings might spend 70% on heating (insulation problem) while others spend 60% on electricity (equipment problem). The breakdown by energy type tells you where to focus.

Step 5: Year-over-year trend.

Use the Monthly Energy Breakdown with two years selected (e.g., 2024 and 2025). A rising line means deteriorating efficiency — investigate what changed (new equipment, occupancy, weather).

How to spot specific issues

• Building A is 180 kWh/m² while similar Building B is 120 kWh/m² — investigate what Building A has differently (older HVAC, poor insulation, higher internal loads).
• One building's water consumption per m² is double the rest — potential leak or cooling tower issue.
• Same provider, different unit costs — you may be on different tariff structures.

Action: Rank buildings worst-to-best by kWh/m². Focus improvement budget on the worst performer for highest ROI.

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