Climate Change & Environmental Services (CCES) performed an energy evaluation used to settle a landlord-tenant dispute. The landlord operates a mall in New York City with a main meter for electricity serving one restaurant plus a number of offices and common area in the complex. The landlord had been charging tenants for electricity based on a percentage of the meter reading, based on relative square footage. However, the landlord realized that the restaurant, with extended hours, large refrigeration needs, and an electric oven and domestic hot water, used much more electricity than the offices and common area. As a result, they doubled the proportion assessed to the restaurant, which the restaurant owner disputed.

CCES performed a comprehensive energy estimate of one year’s worth of energy usage of the restaurant, offices, and common areas all served by the main meter, based on sources of electricity and their average usage and time of operation. CCES determined that based on actual equipment and operations the usage of electricity by the restaurant was actually greater than that in the re-assessment made by the landlord. The report was reviewed for technical accuracy and was approved, and helped settle the landlord-tenant dispute.