What is BE305?

BE305 is a mandatory program targeting properties to benchmark their energy and water consumption annually. The program aims to reduce energy use, water consumption, and overall environmental impact, aligning with Miami-Dade County’s sustainability goals.

Who’s Required to Participate?

Building owners of multi-family and commercial buildings with 20,000 square feet or more of floor space and five or more units are required to comply with BE305.

What Does Benchmarking Involve?

1. Benchmarking involves tracking your building’s energy and water consumption and reporting this data annually. The report will include:
   • Basic building and property use details.
   • A full 12 months of whole-building energy and water usage for the previous year.
2. Energy and Water Audits must be conducted by certified professionals to evaluate performance and identify areas for improvement.
3. The goal is to implement improvements that ensure energy and water efficiency and bring the building into compliance with BE305.

What is the Timeframe?

The program is being phased in over several years, depending on the size of the building:

• 2023: Buildings 100,000 square feet or larger are required to begin reporting, with the first deadline for buildings 200,000 square feet or larger on June 30, 2023, and the first deadline for buildings 100,000 square feet or larger on October 1, 2023.
• 2024: Buildings 50,000 square feet or larger must begin reporting by October 1, 2024. From 2025 onward, the annual reporting deadline for these buildings is June 30.
• 2025: Buildings 20,000 square feet or larger will begin reporting by October 1, 2025. Starting in 2026, the annual reporting deadline for these buildings is June 30.

How Does BE305 Affect Building Owners?

As a building owner, you are responsible for:

1.  Benchmarking your property’s energy and water use annually.
2.  Undergoing energy and water audits to assess efficiency.
3.  Implementing performance improvements based on audit recommendations.

Failure to comply with the BE305 program could result in fines or penalties (up to $500 per day), making it crucial for building owners to be proactive and stay ahead of the reporting deadlines.

How to Get Started with BE305

To comply with BE305, building owners should:

1.  Determine your building’s eligibility. If your building is over 20,000 square feet, you are required to comply with the program.
2. Benchmark your building’s energy and water usage using tools like the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
3.  Schedule an energy and water audit with a certified professional to identify opportunities for improvement.
4.  Implement efficiency measures to ensure compliance and reduce operational costs.

How ECSG Can Help You Stay Compliant

At ECSG we specialize in helping building owners navigate BE305 compliance. Our team offers a full range of services, including:

• Energy and Water Data Collection.
• EPA Benchmarking and Reporting.
• Sustainability Strategy: Helping you identify opportunities to improve efficiency, cut costs, and enhance building performance.
• Ongoing Support: Annual tracking and reporting to ensure you’re always compliant, avoiding hefty penalties and fines.

Why Partner with ECSG?

As Miami-Dade increases its focus on sustainability, the pressure on building owners to meet environmental regulations will only grow. ECSG provides the expertise needed to ensure compliance, reduce your building’s operational costs, and improve long-term sustainability. Let us help you navigate BE305 and enhance the efficiency, marketability, and performance of your property.

Contact ECSG to discuss BE305 compliance. Together, we can build a more sustainable Miami-Dade!