--- title: Utility Tracking and Benchmarking Blog | WegoBlog | Lily Perkins-High description: WegoWise is site that allows you to track and compare your energy use in order to move towards efficiency. This blog is devoted to related topics such as tips for responsible energy use, cutting costs, and local laws that may effect you. --- [![Wegowise](https://sites.wegowise.com/hubfs/www.wegowise.com/Image/Header_logo.svg "Wegowise")](https://www.wegowise.com/) [Try WegoWise](https://www.wegowise.com/signup) [signup](https://www.wegowise.com/signup) # Utility Tracking and Benchmarking Blog | WegoBlog ## Lily Perkins-High ### Recent Posts ## [Introducing WegoStaticometer: The shockingly simple energy monitor](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/145748/Introducing-WegoStaticometer-The-shockingly-simple-energy-monitor) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Mon, Apr 01, 2013 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://sites.wegowise.com/hs-fs/file-26531004-jpg/1_images/electric_icon_copy2.jpg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/145748/Introducing-WegoStaticometer-The-shockingly-simple-energy-monitor) At WegoWise, quality comes first. We have heated debates over building characteristics, spend hours scrutinizing utility bills to make sure we're pulling every possible detail, and never create a benchmark with fewer than twenty buildings.  [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/145748/Introducing-WegoStaticometer-The-shockingly-simple-energy-monitor) 3 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/145748/Introducing-WegoStaticometer-The-shockingly-simple-energy-monitor#comments-listing) ## [How to Conserve Energy and Reduce your Utility Bills](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/140131/How-to-Conserve-Energy-and-Reduce-your-Utility-Bills) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Thu, Dec 20, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://sites.wegowise.com/hs-fs/file-16346021-jpg/1_images/sean_shanley.jpg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/140131/How-to-Conserve-Energy-and-Reduce-your-Utility-Bills) I love winter. My passion, however, does not extend to the higher utility bills that come along with it, especially since moving into a house that was constructed in 1910 and is essentially a sieve. Despite 2012’s mild winter, our January heating bill reached $318 and last month we paid $187. Yuck. [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/140131/How-to-Conserve-Energy-and-Reduce-your-Utility-Bills) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/140131/How-to-Conserve-Energy-and-Reduce-your-Utility-Bills#comments-listing) Tags: [Energy efficiency](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/energy-efficiency), [Building science](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/building-science), [Green living](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/green-living) ## [Affordable Housing Energy Benchmarks from the LEAN Inventory](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/135683/Affordable-Housing-Energy-Benchmarks-from-the-LEAN-Inventory) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Thu, Sep 27, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://sites.wegowise.com/hs-fs/file-16265858-jpg/1_images/2011_li_metric_3_w_cover_page.pdf_(page_13_of_102).jpg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/135683/Affordable-Housing-Energy-Benchmarks-from-the-LEAN-Inventory) Last month, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) made the [results](http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/guidance-technical-assistance/agencies-and-divisions/dpu/file-room.html) from the first year of the [LEAN Multifamily Benchmarking Inventory](http://blog.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/66208/Free-energy-tracking-for-low-income-housing-in-Massachusetts) available to the public. [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/135683/Affordable-Housing-Energy-Benchmarks-from-the-LEAN-Inventory) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/135683/Affordable-Housing-Energy-Benchmarks-from-the-LEAN-Inventory#comments-listing) Tags: [Energy efficiency](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/energy-efficiency), [Funding](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/funding), [Affordable housing](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/affordable-housing) ## [Fannie Mae Study Seeks to Generate Multifamily Energy Benchmark](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/133717/Fannie-Mae-Study-Seeks-to-Generate-Multifamily-Energy-Benchmark) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Fri, Aug 24, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://sites.wegowise.com/hs-fs/file-16309106-jpeg/1_images/inpractice_08_03_12-resized-600.jpeg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/133717/Fannie-Mae-Study-Seeks-to-Generate-Multifamily-Energy-Benchmark) Multifamily housing presents an excellent opportunity for energy efficiency measures for three primary reasons. First, much of this housing stock is old: according to the Energy Programs Consortium, [85% of multifamily housing in the United States was constructed before 1990](http://www.michigansaves.org/Portals/0/Resources/Program_Financing_Reports/energy_efficiency_in_multi-familyFINAL-1.pdf). This means many of the structures need repairs and most have building systems that are outdated. Next, the physical characteristics of multifamily housing, such as exterior exposure per residence, make it easier to perform retrofits. And finally, the larger scale of these types of properties means that improvements result in larger total reductions in usage and larger financial savings. Due to these factors, EPC found that multifamily buildings could save anywhere from [30 – 75% of energy through efficiency measures](http://www.huduser.org/portal/periodicals/em/summer11/highlight1.html). We’ve observed this ourselves through the work we’ve been doing in Massachusetts with the [LEAN Multifamily Benchmarking Inventory](http://blog.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/66208/Free-energy-tracking-for-low-income-housing-in-Massachusetts). In some cases, owners have reduced their energy bill [by more than 50%](http://blog.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/67367/Housing-Authority-Saves-50-With-Cogen-Multifamily-Energy-Retrofits) through retrofits. [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/133717/Fannie-Mae-Study-Seeks-to-Generate-Multifamily-Energy-Benchmark) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/133717/Fannie-Mae-Study-Seeks-to-Generate-Multifamily-Energy-Benchmark#comments-listing) Tags: [Sustainability](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/sustainability), [News and Policy](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/news-and-policy), [Energy efficiency](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/energy-efficiency), [Affordable housing](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/affordable-housing), [Water Conservation](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/water-conservation) ## [Infographics to Reduce Carbon Footprints](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/125605/Infographics-to-Reduce-Carbon-Footprints) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Tue, May 08, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://sites.wegowise.com/hs-fs/file-16369666-jpg/1_images/water_infographics-resized-600.jpg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/125605/Infographics-to-Reduce-Carbon-Footprints) ***Below are five great infographics that focus on behavior changes and their potential impact on the environment. Enjoy! (Click on the image to view the full infographic.)* ** [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/125605/Infographics-to-Reduce-Carbon-Footprints) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/125605/Infographics-to-Reduce-Carbon-Footprints#comments-listing) Tags: [Renewables](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/renewables), [Energy efficiency](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/energy-efficiency), [Water Conservation](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/water-conservation), [Green living](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/green-living) ## [Using Energy Benchmarks to Better Manage your Weatherization Program](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/124228/Using-Energy-Benchmarks-to-Better-Manage-your-Weatherization-Program) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Fri, Apr 20, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://sites.wegowise.com/hs-fs/file-16297565-jpeg/1_images/gaven_street_no_parking.jpeg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/124228/Using-Energy-Benchmarks-to-Better-Manage-your-Weatherization-Program) With so many properties in need of energy efficiency upgrades, it's often difficult to decide where to start.  Energy efficiency program administrators have the additional burden of trying to decide which projects deserve funding. [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/124228/Using-Energy-Benchmarks-to-Better-Manage-your-Weatherization-Program) 2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/124228/Using-Energy-Benchmarks-to-Better-Manage-your-Weatherization-Program#comments-listing) Tags: [Funding](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/funding), [Case Study](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/case-study) ## [Tenant Energy Efficiency: How to Reduce Energy Use In Your Building](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/120369/Tenant-Energy-Efficiency-How-to-Reduce-Energy-Use-In-Your-Building) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Tue, Mar 13, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/0/file-1-jpg/images/sprocket.jpg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/120369/Tenant-Energy-Efficiency-How-to-Reduce-Energy-Use-In-Your-Building) The overall water and energy efficiency of your building is a function of three things: 1. Design and construction [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/120369/Tenant-Energy-Efficiency-How-to-Reduce-Energy-Use-In-Your-Building) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/120369/Tenant-Energy-Efficiency-How-to-Reduce-Energy-Use-In-Your-Building#comments-listing) Tags: [save energy](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/save-energy), [Energy efficiency](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/energy-efficiency), [Building science](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/building-science) ## [Occupy Wall Street and the Environmental Movement](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/115841/Occupy-Wall-Street-and-the-Environmental-Movement) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Wed, Jan 25, 2012 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://sites.wegowise.com/hs-fs/file-16319935-jpeg/1_images/ows_signs-resized-600.jpeg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/115841/Occupy-Wall-Street-and-the-Environmental-Movement) **The Occupy Movement’s agenda, whether you call it vague or comprehensive, is certainly very large.** Most often the grievances put forth by the protestors align, but occasionally — especially with issues like the environment — do come into conflict and fracture the community. One example of this is the recent debate over the [TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline](http://blog.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/92783/The-Debate-over-the-Environmental-Impact-of-Tar-Sands). [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/115841/Occupy-Wall-Street-and-the-Environmental-Movement) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/115841/Occupy-Wall-Street-and-the-Environmental-Movement#comments-listing) Tags: [News and Policy](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/news-and-policy), [Energy efficiency](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/energy-efficiency) ## [NYC Local Law 84 Deadline Approaches](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/106595/NYC-Local-Law-84-Deadline-Approaches) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Wed, Nov 16, 2011 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://sites.wegowise.com/hs-fs/file-16301972-jpeg/1_images/greener_greater_buildings.jpeg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/106595/NYC-Local-Law-84-Deadline-Approaches) ## NYC building owners who had yet to comply with Local Law 84 received letters warning of fines a few weeks ago. Have you complied yet? Read about the ordinance here:   ### Local Law 84 New York City’s Local Law 84 (LL84), which went into affect this year, mandates that owners of large NYC buildings report their property's annual energy usage to the city's Department of Finance. The law applies to buildings that are: [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/106595/NYC-Local-Law-84-Deadline-Approaches) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/106595/NYC-Local-Law-84-Deadline-Approaches#comments-listing) Tags: [News and Policy](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/news-and-policy), [Energy efficiency](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/energy-efficiency) ## [The Three Reasons the New Facebook Energy App Might Not Fail](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/102241/The-Three-Reasons-the-New-Facebook-Energy-App-Might-Not-Fail) Posted by [Lily Perkins-High](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high) on Thu, Oct 20, 2011 - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://sites.wegowise.com/hs-fs/file-16293879-jpg/1_images/facebook%2c_opower_partner_on__social_energy__app_-_cnn.com.jpg) ](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/102241/The-Three-Reasons-the-New-Facebook-Energy-App-Might-Not-Fail) A few months ago, my colleague Nate wrote a blog article discussing the respective closings of [Microsoft Hohm and Google Powermeter](http://blog.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/83307/google-powermeter-and-microsoft-hohm-turned-off). Hohm and Powermeter each worked to provide home energy usage summaries and benchmarks, which allowed users to better understand and assess their energy habits and property efficiency. [Read More](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/102241/The-Three-Reasons-the-New-Facebook-Energy-App-Might-Not-Fail) 1 Comment [Click here to read/write comments](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/bid/102241/The-Three-Reasons-the-New-Facebook-Energy-App-Might-Not-Fail#comments-listing) Tags: [News and Policy](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/news-and-policy), [Energy efficiency](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/topic/energy-efficiency) [All Posts](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/all) [Next Page](https://sites.wegowise.com/blog2/author/lily-perkins-high/page/2) [![New Call to action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/107469/37986de4-f7a0-4b24-a3de-0f3f2f4a96d1.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/107469/37986de4-f7a0-4b24-a3de-0f3f2f4a96d1) [![Receive our quarterly newsletter](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/107469/7978ced2-deff-479a-b4b3-f8710e567987.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/107469/7978ced2-deff-479a-b4b3-f8710e567987) ### Subscribe by Email ### Browse by Tag - 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