R-Zero, a building intelligence technology company based in the US, has expanded its Prospector AI energy savings analytics platform from New York to 20 markets across the country.
The software has analysed data covering more than 32,000 commercial buildings. R-Zero estimates that these buildings have a combined $3.8bn in potential annual energy savings and avoided regulatory penalties.
Prospector AI was introduced exclusively in New York in December 2025. It now covers Washington, DC, New York, Denver, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Seattle, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Sacramento, Kansas City, Portland, Irvine, Fresno, Long Beach, Bakersfield and St Louis.
Software ranks buildings by savings potential
Prospector AI draws on publicly disclosed building performance information, city benchmarking records, federal energy datasets and regional market research. R-Zero uses its AI models to estimate possible energy savings and identify exposure to local building performance rules.
The software ranks properties according to their potential impact and the complexity of deploying energy-efficiency measures. The findings are designed to help real estate investment trusts, property managers and portfolio owners decide which buildings to address first.
R-Zero describes the calculations as modelled savings. Prospector AI provides an assessment based on public building and market data, while the company’s separate optimisation technology can be applied through existing building systems.
Washington, DC has the largest estimated total among the markets covered, at $711m annually. New York follows at $622m, ahead of Denver at $318m, Chicago at $191m and Boston at $160m. Together, the five markets account for more than $2bn of R-Zero’s estimate.
US cities apply different building performance rules
Several of the covered markets require commercial property owners to report building performance or comply with energy and emissions standards. The requirements and timetables vary between cities.
In New York, Local Law 97 generally covers buildings exceeding 25,000 gross sq ft. Emissions limits took effect in 2024 and become stricter in 2030. A building’s emissions limit is calculated according to its floor area and how the property is used.
An owner whose building exceeds its annual emissions limit may face a civil penalty calculated at $268 per metric tonne of emissions above the permitted level.
Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, DC also have building emissions or performance requirements, although they do not operate under a single regulatory model. Prospector AI uses the available performance and regulatory data to estimate savings and compliance exposure across the markets it covers.
