Each year building owners and facility managers enter their buildings in the National Energy Barometer Survey to compare how they have improved their energy use against others in a similar industry – hospitals, offices, car dealers, hotels and shopping centers. The latest results are out and the top performing buildings for the 2012 utility year are:

• Head office:            The Clicks Group
• General office:        No permission to disclose
• Shopping centre:    Westgate Shopping Centre
• Car dealership:       Barons CV N1 City, owned by Barloworld Group
• Hotel:                      Bantry Bay Luxury Suites

The National Energy Barometer Survey is an annual benchmarking service which Energy Cybernetics administers to compile an accurate database of building energy use information in the country. For the 4th consecutive year, Energy Cybernetics has made its locally developed Energy Barometer tool available to building owners and facility managers to participate in NEBS. The Energy Barometer is a non-intrusive and cost-effective process to determine the energy consumption stance of a building in relation to others in a similar market and environment.

NEBS endeavors to compile an accurate database of building energy use information in the country and is supported by the Central Energy Fund, the National Energy Efficiency Agency (NEEA), the South African National Energy Development Institute and the Energy Training Foundation. Participants use the service at no charge, and for that they receive their ranking result that indicates where they are in accordance with others in their respective industry. The results help them track their energy efficiency performance, they can see when energy savings investments have made a difference, and if there is potential for more savings - because if others in their industry have done better, it means there is opportunity for improvement. Every year, the top performers need to make sure they stay there. That way Energy Cybernetics is contributing to making South Africa energy efficient.

Teamwork makes energy efficiency happen, and it has to happen every day so that the energy savings can make a difference. NEBS helps to reward this teamwork by making the top performing buildings visible – and the staff know they made a difference. The 5th NEBS is now open. It is an easy online process, just log onto www.energybarometer.com, mouse over the registration button and complete the required information such as: building size, energy consumption from your utility bill for the year January to December 2013, the weather patterns to your area, etc.

The 2013 Utility Year’s categories that can be entered are:
• Bank branches
• Hospitals
• Shopping Centres
• Hotels
• Car dealerships
• Airports
• General offices
• Head quarters

The closing date for completing NEBS entries is 1 July 2014, whereafter the data will be analysed and audited upon which all participants will receive an emailed NEBS certificate of their results.

NEBS encourages companies to become aware of their energy consumption levels, how their buildings are being operated, and to encourage improvements that will bring economic benefits whilst providing a platform for comparison and learning. All data received through NEBS is treated with utmost confidentiality and results are only made public for participants who agree to allow publication of their ranking.