Allocation Rules Cookbook

How to allocate energy credibly when you don't have perfect meters

Scope 3, Made PracticalGuide30 min

What you'll accomplish

  • Choose an allocation method that fits your building and data reality
  • Document the method so it's defensible
  • Avoid allocation mistakes that create double counting and credibility risk
  • Create a repeatable "allocation memo" for each building type

Beginner rule

Allocation is allowed — but only if:

  • •You disclose the method
  • •You keep inputs consistent
  • •You have a plan to improve toward measurement

Common allocation methods (when to use)

1

Rentable area allocation

Use when: No submeters; tenants similar usage profiles

Risk: Wrong for high-load tenants (restaurants, labs, data-heavy)

2

Submeter + remainder allocation

Use when: Some tenants are submetered but not all

Approach: Sum submetered tenants; allocate remainder by area to non-submetered tenants

3

Occupancy-based allocation

Use when: Occupancy data is reliable and correlates with usage

4

Schedule-based allocation

Use when: Tenants have known operating hours differences

5

Proxy intensity allocation (last resort)

Use when: No usable inputs exist. Must be time-bound with improvement plan.

Risk: Temporary only — document timeline to exit proxy

Templates included

Template 1 — Allocation Method Memo (copy/paste)

Allocation Method Memo

Building:
Period:
Total building kWh source + evidence:

Allocation method chosen:
[ ] Area-based
[ ] Submeter + remainder
[ ] Occupancy-based
[ ] Schedule-based
[ ] Proxy (temporary)

Inputs used:
- Rentable area source:
- Submeter data source:
- Occupancy source (if used):
- Schedule assumptions (if used):

Rationale (plain English):
Why this method is reasonable for this building:

QA checks:
- Totals reconcile to building kWh
- No double counting with tenant bills
- Inputs are consistent year over year

Improvement plan:
- What would allow measured data?
- Timeline:

Template 2 — Submeter + Remainder Worksheet (copy/paste)

| Tenant | Submetered? | Tenant kWh (if submetered) | Area | Allocation % (if not submetered) | Allocated kWh | Notes |
|---|---|---:|---:|---:|---:|---|

Common pitfalls

  • ✗Mixing rentable vs usable area across tenants
  • ✗Double counting tenant bills + allocations
  • ✗Changing methods mid-year with no change log
  • ✗Not reconciling totals to building kWh

Change log

v1.0 (2026-01): Latest release