In association with Earth Hour 2009, HRM released corporate energy benchmarking data for its capital infrastructure collected between 2002 and 2008. Since 2002, HRM has implemented a detailed corporate benchmarking process for buildings to track and prioritize energy initiatives. Data for 2009 has recently been updated.

Halifax was ranked the “Best Medium City” in Canada for 2009 by Corporate Knights magazine in their "Sustainable Cities Survey", due in part to the municipality’s dedication to sustainability. In 2008, corporately, HRM spent a total of $8.4 million on energy consumption in buildings. Over the past several years, almost $7 million has been spent on various corporate energy efficiency projects which save the municipality $750,000 per year in energy costs. New energy efficiency projects and retrofits are ongoing to improve HRM's systems and reduce consumption.

Benchmarking data is often difficult for municipalities to calculate because of their complex organizational structure and variety of unique facilities, which typically include buildings such as rinks, community centers, fire stations and libraries. By sharing energy benchmarks for individual sites in an accessible Excel format online, HRM hopes to encourage other municipalities to follow suit. HRM seeks to lead by example sharing its approach and findings to serve as a municipal benchmarking resource.

Want to find out how much energy your local community centre uses? Click on the links below:

Energy Benchmarking Data 2008   (Excel spreadsheet)        

Energy Benchmarking Data 2007           " 

Energy Benchmarking Data 2006           "

Energy Benchmarking Data 2004           "

Energy Benchmarking Data 2002           "

Comparison - Here you will find all of the important information comparing data from 2006 and 2007. This data also takes into account both heating and cooling degree days. Information is broken up in 5 tabs, Total Energy, Electricity, Oil, Natural Gas and Propane. Each tab includes graphs comparing 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2007 data.

For additional information please contact Julian Boyle, Energy Auditor, Phone: (902) 476-8075, email.