This paper includes energy benchmarking uses, metrics, tools, operational differences and efficiencies, early benchmarking pitfalls, fuel cost variances, dashboard reporting, multi-year trending analyses, load profiling, utility rates; weather and campus growth impacts on both energy index and utility index, similar/dissimilar facilities, and the pros and cons of the US-DOE CBECS databases. Also included are load factors, peak demand charges, energy intensity, utility programs, supply/demand side management, comparing uses, buildings, campuses and systems. Much utility/energy usage and cost analysis is based upon locally available information without input from others. When outside input is sought for benchmarking purposes, the ability to compare apples with apples is often severely limited by assumptions and misinformation. This paper discusses approaches that work well as well as approaches that don’t work very well. Examples include actual benchmarking spreadsheet tools and management presentation documents used in health care facility utility budget discussions, with an emphasis on effectively presenting the results of the benchmarking activities.

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