If you own or manage a building in San Jose, you’ve likely heard of Beyond Benchmarking. It’s the first step in tracking energy use.
Under the San Jose Energy and Water Building Performance Ordinance, properties may be required to complete full audits to stay in compliance. These audits reveal much more than simple benchmarking can, and they often come with deadlines, penalties, and opportunities to improve your building’s performance.
If you’re wondering what comes after benchmarking in San Jose, this guide explains it all.
What’s The Difference Between Benchmarking And Auditing?
Benchmarking shows how much energy your building uses compared to similar buildings. It’s like getting your overall energy score. But it doesn’t explain why your building is using that much, or how to fix it.
That’s where energy audits come in.
A full audit gives you:
- A breakdown of where energy is being used and lost
- Details on your HVAC, lighting, insulation, and controls
- Action steps to reduce energy waste and improve systems
- A clearer path to compliance with San Jose clean energy laws
Rules San Jose Buildings Must Comply With In 2026
San Jose’s clean energy law includes performance and audit rules for buildings over 20,000 square feet. If your property hasn’t met performance targets through benchmarking alone, you may be required to do a 2026 energy audit or a retro-commissioning report.
Here’s what to expect:
- The city reviews your ENERGY STAR score or source EUI (Energy Use Intensity)
- If your score is too low or out of range, an audit or corrective action is required
- You’ll need to hire a qualified professional to complete and submit the report
- There are specific deadlines depending on your building type and size
Missing these steps could lead to enforcement action, citations, or fines under SJ building law enforcement policies.
What Audits Reveal About Building Performance
Beyond Benchmarking helps you uncover what’s really happening inside your building systems. Many owners are surprised at what they find.
Audits can reveal:
- Outdated equipment still using large amounts of energy
- Faulty sensors or controls causing systems to run nonstop
- Air leaks or poor insulation that drive up heating and cooling costs
- Energy-saving opportunities that weren’t obvious in benchmarking reports
These findings not only help you comply with San Jose energy compliance law, they can lead to real savings.
Key Benefits Of Going Beyond Benchmarking In San Jose
There are three major reasons audits improve your building.
1. Save Money
Audits often point to low-cost changes that reduce utility bills fast. Some upgrades can pay for themselves in a year.
2. Boost Building Value
Energy-efficient buildings attract better tenants and investors. Many now ask for audit reports, not just benchmarking scores.
3. Stay Ahead of Policy Changes
San Jose, like many cities, is moving toward net-zero building performance goals. Full audits help you plan for the long term.
Beyond Benchmarking Checklist: Are You Audit-Ready?
If you’re preparing for your San Jose building audit 2026, here are the key items to gather or review:
- Latest benchmarking reports and ENERGY STAR scores
- Floor area and usage details for your building
- Utility bills for electricity, gas, and water (at least 12 months)
- HVAC, lighting, and equipment specs
- Access to system controls and automation settings
- Any past audit or retro-commissioning reports
- A trusted energy professional to guide the process
Penalties, Incentives & What To Watch For
If your building is required to complete an audit in 2026 and you don’t submit it by the deadline, the city may issue:
- Violation notices
- Administrative fines
- Public non-compliance listings
On the flip side, buildings that act early may qualify for:
- Incentive programs (when available through utilities or city partners)
- Improved ENERGY STAR scores from operational changes
- Lower long-term costs by catching issues early
It’s smart to act before Q2 2026 when most deadlines begin tightening.
Local Experts For San Jose Energy Audits
San Jose has specific rules, forms, and submission portals. It’s not the same as other cities, and not every auditor knows the process.
That’s why working with a San Jose-specific energy compliance team can make the process smoother. At VertPro®, we handle:
- Full audits and retro-commissioning
- Filing with the city on your behalf
- Benchmarking reviews to determine your audit need
- Support through the entire 2026 compliance cycle
We stay on top of the latest clean energy ordinance SJ updates so you don’t have to.
Final Thought: Don’t Wait For The Notice
If you’ve already benchmarked your building in 2025, that’s a great start. But don’t assume you’re done. Many San Jose properties will be flagged for deeper audits in 2026, especially if they’re underperforming.
See how easy it is to get your building ready for Beyond Benchmarking by starting with our instant audit quote tool. It gives you a quote for your Beyond Benchmarking requirements, in less than 90-seconds, and has zero obligations.
