Third-party data verification for benchmarking
When your benchmarking law requires a verification year, we confirm every meter, square foot and use detail, complete your city’s verification form and file it with your report.
A second set of eyes the law requires
Several benchmarking laws don’t just ask you to report your energy use — they require a qualified third party to confirm the data is complete and accurate before (or when) you file. Verification checks that every meter is included, that the floor area and property use details match the building, and that the numbers in Portfolio Manager line up with the utility bills.
Verification is usually required on a cycle — every three or five years, plus the first reporting year — so it’s easy to miss. A missed verification year can mean a non-compliance notice even if your benchmarking report was filed on time.
We track your verification schedule for every building and handle the verification with your annual filing, so there’s no second vendor to find and coordinate.
What verification covers
- All energy sources and meters are included, with no gaps or overlaps
- Gross floor area checked against drawings, assessor or city records
- Property type and use details (hours, occupancy, units) confirmed
- Portfolio Manager entries reconciled with utility bills
- Your jurisdiction’s verification form or checklist completed and signed
- Records kept so you can answer any city audit
Where third-party verification is required
These are the benchmarking laws on our list that require data verification. Rules change and some depend on building size — click a law for details, or ask us whether this is a verification year for your building.
| Jurisdiction | When verification is required |
|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | Once every three years, by a licensed professional using the Portfolio Manager data verification checklist |
| Washington, DC | Every three years, by someone other than the person who did the benchmarking |
| Boston, MA (BERDO) | In the first reporting year, emissions compliance years and every five years after |
| Maryland (BEPS) | For 2025 data (due 2026), then every five years |
| Montgomery County, MD | In the first year, then every three years |
| Detroit, MI | Every three years |
| Denver, CO | For buildings of 25,000 sq ft and up, on the city’s schedule |
| Cambridge, MA (BEUDO) | For larger buildings, on the city’s schedule |
| Newton, MA (BERDO) | For buildings of 100,000 sq ft and up |
| Evanston, IL | For buildings of 20,000 sq ft and up, on the city’s schedule |
| West Hollywood, CA | Part of the program — timing depends on the building |
Our verification process
- Confirm the requirementWe check whether your building is due for verification this year, what form your jurisdiction uses, and who is allowed to sign it.
- Review building informationWe confirm gross floor area, property uses and operating characteristics against drawings, leasing records or a site walk where needed.
- Reconcile the energy dataEvery meter in Portfolio Manager is matched to utility accounts and bills for the full year, including tenant and common-area meters.
- Correct and documentIssues are fixed before filing, and the review is documented on your jurisdiction’s checklist or verification form.
- Sign and submitThe verification is completed by a qualified professional who did not prepare the benchmarking data, where the law requires that, and submitted with your report.
Verification vs. ENERGY STAR certification
They’re related but different. Benchmarking data verification confirms your report is accurate for your city or state, whatever your score. ENERGY STAR certification is a voluntary recognition for buildings scoring 75 or higher, and its application must be verified and stamped by a licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. If your building qualifies, we can often handle both from the same review.
Frequently asked questions
What is third-party data verification for benchmarking?
It is an independent review that confirms the energy, water and building information you report under a benchmarking law is complete and accurate. A qualified professional checks meters, floor area and use details against bills and records, then signs the jurisdiction’s verification form.
How often is verification required?
It depends on the law. Chicago, Washington DC, Detroit and Montgomery County require it every three years; Boston BERDO requires it in the first reporting year, emissions compliance years and every five years after; Maryland BEPS requires it for 2025 data and then every five years.
Who can perform the verification?
Each jurisdiction sets its own rules. Many require a licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect or a credentialed energy professional, and some — like Washington, DC — require that the verifier is not the same person who prepared the benchmarking data.
Does verification require a site visit?
Not always. Many benchmarking verifications can be completed from documents such as drawings, assessor records and utility bills. ENERGY STAR certification, by contrast, requires the licensed professional to visit the building.
What happens if verification finds a problem?
We correct it before the report is filed — usually a missing meter, an outdated floor area or a property-use detail. Catching it at this stage is much easier than responding to a city audit later.
Can you verify data that someone else benchmarked?
Yes. We can review and verify a report prepared by your team or another provider, and we’ll tell you exactly what needs to change before it is submitted.