OUTPUT SECTION - BENCHMARK REPORTS These Benchmark Efficiency Reports initially provide monthly and annual basic data for each Entity's total energy consumption, CO2 emissions and estimated costs. The system then corrects this consumption and CO2 data for the effects of climate, construction parameters and occupancy, after which it divides that result by the chosen efficiency Indicator to give the relevant Benchmarked Efficiency Data (per Efficiency Indicator) figures. These figures are the key benchmarks for the Entity which are then compared in the lower part of the report at three different levels with the corresponding figures from the Sample. (The Sample comprises all other like Entities in the system - ie those which have the same Purpose.) The most valuable end result here is a validly corrected cost performance comparison which shows Annual Potential Savings (if any) compared with the Best, Average and Worst results in the Sample. Because they are reported here as potential savings instead of costs, these figures carry the opposite sign to their equivalent counterparts produced in the Graphs and Tables described in the first part of this OUTPUT SECTION. These key reports can be accessed under the heading Benchmark Reports at the bottom of the Status Summary Main Menu page. Select the necessary Entity from the dropdown list, and click the Go button. This will provide the report as at the latest month for which there is available relevant Entity data. If an earlier reporting period end is required, there is a scroll back option using the 'Prev Month' link at the bottom of the page. Benchmark Efficiency Report The heading of the report includes the Entity Name, (Purpose), the Efficiency Indicator used (eg - per sq metre of floor area), and the applicable Month. At the bottom of the page are links 'Prev Month' and 'Next Indicator [Details]' to scroll to and fro between previous reports and different Indicators. As mentioned above, the initially accessed report is for the latest month and the initial Indicator is the first one from the original list of Indicator Data headings on the Utilisation Attributes page. The scroll link shows the adjacent available Indicator in brackets. Actual and Benchmarked Consumption, Emissions and Costs The Basic Data table provides the uncorrected consumption, emissions, and cost data for This Month (the chosen month) and for the Latest 12 Months (the 12 month period ending with the chosen month.) If less than 12 months of data is available, the Latest 12 Month fields will be blank. The Benchmarked Efficiency Data (per Efficiency Indicator) table provides the benchmarks of corrected consumption and emissions data, divided by the efficiency Indicator, again for This Month (the chosen month) and for the Latest 12 Months (the 12 period ending with the chosen month.) If less than 12 months of data is available, the Latest 12 Month fields will again be blank. The correction of the data for the effects of climate, construction, exposure, orientation, shape, and occupancy etc, is what enables the benchmark quotient to be validly compared with corresponding figures from other like Entities. 12 Month Comparison with Sample of Like Entities with Same Purpose Sample Size lists the number of like Entities in the Sample. Three comparisons are then listed in turn under each of the headings Sample Best, Sample Average and Sample Worst. The three comparisons are: Benchmark Efficiency Data which records the relevant corrected data appropriate to its Sample heading which can then be compared with the corresponding figures for the Latest 12 Months under Benchmarked Efficiency Data (per Efficiency Indicator) in the first part of the report above. Basic Data Difference (this Entity) which back-calculates the extra consumption or emissions of this Entity compared with what it would be if its efficiency level was the same as for the respective best, average or worst performance in the Sample. A negative figure here indicates that the Entity's efficiency is already better than for the particular Sample position being used for comparison. Annual Potential Savings calculates the cost improvements which can be expected by having an efficiency level the same as for the respective best, average or worst performance in the Sample. It is also expressed as a Percent figure which enables you to more readily compare the relative efficiency of your own range of different Entities. Once again, a negative figure here indicates that the Entity's efficiency is already better than for the particular Sample position being used for comparison. Important Note on Interpreting Benchmarked Corrections The benchmarked efficiency data is corrected for the following factors: Climate (Cooling Degree Days/Heating Degree Days) for 25 regions in NZ Building Envelope (wall/roof/floor materials, thicknesses, area) Orientation Exposure Shape Occupancy These are all assumed to be factors which cannot be changed at all, or, if they can be, only as a result of major renovations or alterations, or a significant change in established patterns of occupancy or hours of usage. For example, when you compare the reported benchmarked efficiencies of two like Entities when one is located in a generally cooler region, allowance has already been made for the expected difference there would be in the required heating load. No corrections are made for improvable aspects such as insulation or double glazing. Hence, an Entity which already has some of these features, should find them accordingly producing relatively good levels of efficiency. However, it is important to realise that any remaining observed shortfalls in comparative efficiency levels, are most likely to be identifying deficient energy management practices which can therefore offer you real scope for improvement.