Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I use this website?
To learn more about how to use the B3 Benchmarking website, please watch our tutorial.
NOTE: This video tutorial requires Adobe Flash Player to run. If your system does not have this program installed, click here to download a free version.

Do I have to do this?
Yes. The Department of Admin, in 2002, was mandated to create a database of Minnesota public Buildings for purposes of future energy conservation. You are required by law to cooperate in the collection of this information.

Why do I have to do this?
It's the law.

I'm not sure of one of the Buildings on a Site.
Please contact us so we can correct and/or clarify the Building information in our databases.

I am looking at the wrong list of Sites.
Please contact us so we can fix the problem.

There is a Building missing from one of my Sites.
Please contact us so we can add the Building to our databases.

One of the Buildings on one of my Sites is no longer used.
Please contact us so we can deactivate the Building to our databases.

One of the Site Meters is only hooked to some of the Buildings on the Site.
In the Meter Editor, please check the Buildings that the Meter is connected to.

I'm not sure of the square footage of one of the Buildings.
Please note that fact when you enter the square footage on the Building Editor page.

I'm not the right person to be doing this.
Please contact us with the name and phone number of the person you feel should handle this inquiry.

How do I contact you?
All the contact information is on the Contact Us page.

Should I tell you about other public buildings?
You bet! We are always trying to keep our databases current.

I have a space usage type not included in your list.
Please enter the best space usage type in the "other" field on the Building Editor page.

We've had problems with the building unrelated to energy.
We are interested in collecting Building information relating to safety, health, performance, and human resource issues. Please describe any problems you've had with the Building in the comments field on the Building Editor page.

I have more than one year of consumption data.
Please enter all the information you have. If you enter more than one year of consumption data we will be able to compare the Site’s performance from one year to the next in future releases.

The Site list looks like it sorts incorrectly. One of my Sites is a known good performer, but it is low on the list (or vice versa).
If one of your Sites looks like it ranks incorrectly in the list, you may have entered incorrect Tier 1 consumption data, Space Usages, or square footage. If you are certain all of those are correct, please enter the additional Tier 2 information in the Building Editor page. The more information we have, the more accurate the Energy Benchmark will be.

What's in it for me?
You get to see how your Sites and Buildings are performing compared to a scientific energy benchmark. This can help you identify Buildings that are good candidates for improvement, and perhaps justify funds to do so.