Large Business Owner - Energy & Water Reporting & Benchmarking (EWRB)

What is EWRB?

Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) is a program initiated by the Ministry of Energy to collect data on buildings with regard to their energy and water consumption. This data intends to help building owners (condo corporations) understand their building energy and water consumption and compare their usage with buildings of similar size and application. This helps promote opportunities for energy saving and identify potential water leaks or losses that go unchecked.

Who is required to report?

The ministry has identified that all buildings with an area of 50,000 sq. Ft. and more are required to comply with the EWRB reporting. However, buildings with 100,000 Sq. Ft. or greater are required to have their consumption data (gas, electricity, and water) verified by an accredited professional for the first reporting year and every five years thereafter to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Are there any fines from the city for non-compliance?

As per our recent discussion with a Ministry of Energy Representative, the City of Toronto and the Energy Department for the time being, are not enforcing any fines for non-compliance. However, as the focus shifts within the next few years to try and meet the net zero target set by the Toronto City Council for 2040, completing the EWRB might change into a mandatory requirement for condominium corporations. Should completing it become mandatory with penalties for non-compliance the condominium corporations would have to allocate funds from within their operating budget (or as an annual yearly expense through their reserve fund) to complete the yearly EWRB submissions.

What are the benefits of complying?

The Toronto city council is pushing for a net zero target by 2040 with a goal of a 45% reduction expected by 2025. With a significant reduction target expected by 2025, the residential sector, including condo corporations, plays a crucial role in this transition. By participating in EWRB, condo corporations gain valuable insights into their energy consumption, enabling them to devise strategies for greater efficiency. Should the corporations complete their EWRB early in the year, and decide to proceed with some upgrades, they may be able to benefit from the ongoing incentives by the local service providers for replacing capital equipment (MUA & boilers) with more efficient options. The last opportunity to utilize these incentives will be during2024 as the incentive program is expected to be discontinued moving forward. Mark your calendars! The submission deadline for EWRB data for the year 2023 is set for July1st, 2024. Ensure timely compliance to stay ahead of the curve and contribute to Toronto's journey towards a sustainable future.