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How to report your building's energy use

Some property owners must report their building’s energy use to the City. Learn how to file a first-time report and follow-up reports.

Last updated: 1/31/19
Step
1

Get your information together

Building owners must file a report through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Portfolio Manager by May 15. The reports are for the previous calendar year. So, if you submit a report by May 15, 2019, the information will be about 2018.

You need to gather information on the all types of energy your building uses. This may include water, electricity, gas, oil, solar, and other sources. Eversource, National Grid, and Veolia make energy reporting easy. They'll give you a report so you don't have to collect data from individual tenants:

You can also enter your information if you have it. You’ll need to have copies of your utility bills for the previous calendar year.

Step
2

Set up a portfolio manager account

Go to Environmental Protection Agency’s Portfolio Manager and set up an account. Once you've created an account, click on "add a property" to enter your building information:

  • You'll need to enter the gross floor area. Include everything inside the building.
  • You don't have to include parking lots and other outside areas. You'll have to make a note if you estimate anything.

You’ll need to enter the different types of energy use for your building, and a separate “meter” for each energy source. If you got data from Eversource, National Grid, or Veolia, you can upload this information right into the system. Otherwise, you'll have to type your numbers in.

Check to make sure your numbers are accurate. You can run a check under the “summary” tab. It will tell you if there are any gaps or other mistakes in your report.

Step
3

Share your portfolio with the City

Before you make your portfolio public, go to the “property notes” tab. Make sure any important information about your building is there. You have to make a note if:

  • you used default information for energy measurements
  • you estimated the floor space or property use
  • you typed in data instead of using the forms from your providers, or
  • the report was done by a tenant who rents the building.

Make sure to add your Boston Assessing Parcel ID. This identification number is critical for how the City makes sure they're getting reports for the right building. We use it to track that you are compliant with BERDO. You can find your parcel ID through the Assessing Department's online search. Submissions that lack a parcel number will be asked to re-submit with it included.

Access the reporting template for this reporting year. You can import this template into the Portfolio Manager. The system will walk you through adding all your information.

When you’re done, click “send data.” You'll be asked to digitally sign the report. You'll receive a confirmation email once you send your report.

Step
1

Get your updated information together

Building owners must file a report through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Portfolio Manager by May 15. The reports are for the previous calendar year. So, if you submit a report by May 15, 2019, the information will be about 2018.

If you filed a report with us last year, most of the hard work is already done. You need to gather information on the all types of energy your building uses. Eversource, National Grid, and Veolia make energy reporting easy. They'll give you a report so you don't have to collect data from individual tenants:

You can also type your information in if you have it. You’ll need to have copies of your utility bills for the previous calendar year.

Step
2

Add your new info to portfolio manager

You'll need to add your energy usage data to the Portfolio Manager account you used last year. Login to your account and find your building.

Go to the “meters” tab. You can upload your information from the utility provider, or manually enter everything.

Add any important information in the “property notes” tab. You'll need to make a note if:

  • you used default information for energy measurements
  • you estimated the floor space or property use
  • you typed in data instead of using the forms from your providers, or
  • the report was done by a tenant who rents the building.

Check to make sure your numbers are accurate. You can run a check under the “summary” tab. It will tell you if there are any gaps or other mistakes in your report.

Step
3

Share your report with the City

Access the reporting template for this reporting year. You can import this template into the Portfolio Manager. The system will walk you through adding all your information.

When you’re done, click “send data.” You'll be asked to digitally sign the report. You'll receive a confirmation email once you send your report.

Downloads:
Need to Know:
WHO NEEDS TO REPORT ENERGY USAGE?

We've created a list of all the properties that need to file a report. You'll need to send us a report if:

  • you own a non-residential building that's more than 35,000 gross square feet
  • you own a residential building that's 35,000 gross square feet or more
  • you own a residential building that has 35 or more units, or
  • you own land with multiple buildings totaling 100,000 gross square feet or more, or with 100 residential units or more.
Contact:
Environment
617-635-3850
environment@boston.gov
1 City Hall Square
Room 709
Boston, MA 02201-2031
United States
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