A data request is a structured request inside Portfolio Manager that asks you to release specific information from your property record. Unlike sharing full access to a property, a data request is used to send only the information requested for a reporting or benchmarking purpose.
In other words, it is usually part of a formal submission step, not just a general account-sharing step.
It helps to have the following ready:
access to your ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager account
the correct property already set up in the platform
utility data entered as completely as possible
any city or program instructions you received
enough information available for the requested reporting timeframe
If Evergreen is already helping with your property, this is a good point to pause and make sure the response is being handled correctly.
Data requests are usually accessed through a link provided by a city, program, or other requesting party. After opening the link, you will be directed into Portfolio Manager to begin the response.
Take a moment to confirm:
who is requesting the data
which property should be included
what reporting period is being requested
This is important because a data request only pulls the information specified in that request.
Choose the correct property and make sure the requested reporting period is supported by the information in your account.
If the building record or utility data is incomplete, the response may not generate correctly.
Before sending anything, review the response carefully. This helps confirm that the correct property and timeframe were selected and that the information looks complete.
Once everything looks right, the response can be finalized and submitted through Portfolio Manager.
This is often the point where benchmarking moves from setup into formal reporting. Even if the account and property are already in place, an incorrect data request response can still create delays or cause reporting issues.
That is why many clients prefer to have Evergreen help review the request before it is submitted.
A lot of building owners understandably confuse these two steps:
Sharing your property with Evergreen gives us access to help manage the setup and reporting process.
Responding to a data request is a separate step used to send specific reporting information to a city or program.
Both can be important, but they are not the same action.
After a data request is submitted, the next step depends on the city and reporting workflow. In some cases, that may complete the required submission. In others, there may still be a city portal or follow-up process involved.