Environmental initiatives have become topical in recent times, and for good reason. Nearly every industry is implementing measures to reduce its carbon footprint, and commercial building owners are no exception. Property managers often need to comply with strict building codes and generally accepted standards. These guidelines help minimize energy waste and protect the environment.
This guide discusses building performance standards (BPS) and similar initiatives, including their importance, key components, and how to evaluate a building’s energy performance.
What Are Building Performance Standards?
BPS are outcome-based policies and laws that establish requirements for the energy and environmental performance of buildings in different jurisdictions across the country. These guidelines are part of the Building Energy Codes program from the United States Department of Energy and aim to reduce energy consumption in buildings through different means.
BPS cover areas such as:
- Energy efficiency
- Water conservation
- Water management
- Sustainable building materials
Many other green building standards exist outside of BPS. For example, one well-known program in the U.S. is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system. Additionally, organizations may follow international building performance standards.
Examples of BPS Across the United States
In January 2022, the U.S. government launched a green building initiative called the National Building Performance Standards Coalition. The National BPS coalition is a voluntary commitment from states, cities, and counties to pass building performance policies and programs.
Before the federal initiative, some states and cities had already implemented green building laws. However, the National BPS has encouraged many others to follow suit.
Some examples of states and cities that implement BPS include the following:
1. Colorado
The General Assembly of Colorado passed the Energy Performance for Buildings Act in 2021 to tackle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from specified buildings, with updates made in 2023. The law requires owners of commercial, public, and multifamily buildings that are 50,000 square feet or larger to benchmark the property’s energy use and set building performance targets each year.
2. Washington
The State of Washington signed the Clean Buildings bill into law in 2019. In 2022, the legislature expanded the rules and augmented them in 2023. The primary purpose is to reduce costs and pollution from fossil fuel consumption in covered buildings.
3. Washington, D.C.
The Council of the District of Columbia adopted the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act in 2018, one of the strongest climate laws passed in the country. The legislation established the Energy Performance Standard to reduce GHG and energy consumption in Washington, D.C. by 50% in 2032.
4. Boston
The Boston City Council passed the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance in 2021. This law updates the Building Energy Reporting and Disclosure Ordinance adopted in 2013. Like its counterparts, it aims to reduce GHG emissions from large buildings in Boston.
5. New York City
The New York City Council passed the Climate Mobilization Act in 2019. The package of legislation is said to be one of the most ambitious actions any major city has taken to reduce GHG emissions. Central to the law is Local Law 97, which applies to specified buildings.
Other states and cities have implemented BPS, with many more expected to pass legislation imminently.
Why Are Clean Building Performance Standards Important?
Whether it is a federal building performance standard or a clean energy standard through a third-party program, any building performance standard is essential to help businesses meet changing sustainability goals.
1. Environmental Impact
Clean building performance standards help reduce a building’s carbon footprint. By promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, a building can become more environmentally friendly. For example, a building might integrate solar power as its main source of energy, eliminating its reliance on fossil fuels.
2. Energy Efficiency
Implementing sustainability standards can make buildings energy efficient. Energy-efficient buildings are optimized for heating, cooling, and lighting, using more efficient appliances and techniques to reduce energy demand.
3. Economic Benefits
Energy-efficient buildings usually have lower operating costs due to less energy consumption. They save money over time, making them sound long-term investments. Complying with BPS and other green standards can help building owners qualify for government incentives like tax credits. In particular, the energy-efficient commercial building deduction is helpful for businesses in most sectors.
4. Resilience
Buildings constructed to meet clean standards are often resilient to extreme weather conditions. Most are specially designed to withstand the elements, adapting to different climates. This feature can reduce the risk of damage.
5. Health and Comfort
Green buildings usually feature technology to improve health and comfort. They comply with requirements for ventilation, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. These characteristics can improve the occupants’ well-being and enhance productivity.
Potential Challenges of Implementing Clean Building Standards
While various clean building standards provide an array of benefits for businesses, it can sometimes be challenging to implement them. Understanding the common barriers when working toward these building standards can help businesses have a realistic picture of what to expect moving forward. Some potential challenges to keep in mind include:
- Financial: Implementing green building programs may involve significant upfront costs. Plan adequately and use available incentives to offset parts of the expenses.
- Technical: Integrating renewable energy systems can be technically challenging as they require specialized knowledge. One practical solution is outsourcing these services to expert third parties.
- Regulatory: Compliance with relevant BPS often requires navigating complex regulations and performance criteria. If a business must comply with BPS, it’s best to seek professional assistance.
What Are the Key Components of Building Performance Standards?
BPS policies and requirements for other green programs can vary. Still, almost all standards feature some or all of the following components:
Energy-Efficiency Metrics
Certain energy-efficient metrics to meet building energy performance standards might include:
- Energy consumption: This area sets limits on energy consumption and tracks them with metrics like energy use intensity and energy performance indicators.
- Energy performance ratings: Clean performance standards may involve energy performance ratings, such as Energy Star scores. This metric helps stakeholders compare and examine the energy efficiency of buildings.
- Energy modeling: Buildings may be required to comply with basic energy modeling standards, optimizing their design for efficiency.
- Renewable energy integration: Builders may be encouraged to incorporate renewable energy solutions to reduce energy consumption.
Sustainability Benchmarks
Sustainability benchmarks may involve:
- Green building certification: Green building certifications from green building programs like LEED provide comprehensive frameworks for achieving sustainable building design and operation.
- Carbon emissions reduction targets: Building performance standards target reducing emissions associated with building operations. For example, building owners may need to reach net zero emissions by a particular date.
- Water efficiency benchmarks: Water efficiency goals and benchmarks promote responsible water use. This can be done through water recycling, harvesting, and efficient fixtures.
- Waste management standards: Clean building performance standards typically provide benchmarks for waste minimization. The benchmarks also include recycling requirements and sustainable material choices. These standards help reduce the environmental impact of construction and building usage.
These metrics and benchmarks drive the construction and operation of buildings toward greater efficiency. They advance sustainable practices, making buildings more resilient and environmentally friendly.
Integrating Renewable Energy to Meet Building Performance Standards
Numerous renewable energy sources are available to improve building performance, regardless of whether a business is aiming to meet a required BPS or has company-specific sustainability goals. Here are three examples:
1. Solar Power
Solar energy has become instrumental in green building programs as a clean and renewable energy source, reducing GHG emissions.
Employing different solar energy solutions can reduce a commercial property’s carbon footprint. Investing in solar panel-covered parking structures is one example. This innovation enables businesses to protect vehicles against elements like hail while complying with relevant building standards. Depending on the size of the structure, this approach can also significantly reduce a business’s energy bills.
2. Wind Power
Wind is a renewable energy source, like solar, and wind turbines do not release GHG emissions or require water for cooling. Wind turbines come in vertical- or horizontal-axis configurations, and both options can be ideal for different locations. Companies looking to make the transition to wind power can consider whether turbines exist in their area, or jumpstart the initiative to install turbines.
3. Geothermal Heat Pumps
Integrating geothermal heat pumps into commercial buildings is becoming increasingly popular. They are eco-friendly and can provide reliable energy in various situations. There are multiple options, each providing unique benefits. Examples include ground loop systems and open-loop options. The specific geothermal heat pump should fit the building’s energy demand and comply with regulations in the region.
The federal government provides tax credits and funding for renewable energy projects. For example, commercial building owners who install geothermal heating pumps may be eligible for tax credits under the investment tax credit. Federal solar tax credits for business owners also exist.
How to Evaluate Building Energy Performance
Evaluating a building’s energy performance means assessing how efficiently the structure uses energy. It considers aspects like heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment powering. Here are some standard methods building owners can use to assess their building’s energy performance:
1. Energy Audit
An energy audit evaluates a building’s energy use and potential savings. It can be a walk-through or a more detailed audit.
Walk-through audits involve a visual inspection of the building. The purpose is to identify energy-saving opportunities, such as insulation gaps, air leaks, and inefficient equipment. Detailed audits are an in-depth analysis of the building’s energy performance. The process involves data collection, energy modeling, and performance testing, and the goal is to quantify energy use and identify specific improvement opportunities.
Energy auditors collect data using tools like blower doors, thermographic cameras, and power meters to collect data. The auditor can recommend practical solutions to improve performance based on the findings.
2. Energy Modeling
Energy modeling uses software to simulate a building’s energy performance. It considers different scenarios, such as changes in equipment, weather conditions, and occupancy. Then, it predicts the building’s energy demand and consumption.
Design choices, operations strategies, and retrofit options are also integral in energy modeling. These solutions enable builders to optimize the building’s design and comply with performance standards.
3. Energy Performance Metrics
Energy performance metrics provide a standardized way of measuring energy performance. These benchmarks help compare the energy performance of different buildings and components for efficiency. Energy metrics could be based on the estimated or actual consumption of a specific feature, such as appliances, insulation, or windows. The outcome helps stakeholders make informed decisions about how to improve.
4. Energy Surveys and Feedback
Energy surveys and feedback involve gathering information from occupants about the building’s performance, which can be done through general inquiries about energy usage.
Another approach is utility bill analysis, which involves reviewing energy bills to track energy consumption trends. Utility bill analysis also helps identify anomalies and assess the impact of the energy-saving measures. The purpose is to understand the building’s energy efficiency and how it affects the occupants.
Building Toward a Sustainable Future With VPS
Working toward BPS becomes a much simpler process when businesses partner with experts in the field. VPS is a leading provider of large-scale protection structures with solar panel installations to improve building energy performance.
Our structures use advanced technology to provide dual-purpose functionality. Commercial properties with parking lots use this solar-covered parking solution to protect vehicles against hail while meeting their clean building goals.
VPS’s solutions assist businesses in complying with building performance standards and best practices. Our solar parking structures can also provide financial benefits by reducing energy bills and helping eligible companies qualify for federal incentives. There are various products for different applications, including:
- Airport parking lots
- Auto assembly plants
- Auto dealerships
- Industrial applications
- Commercial parking lots
- Car rental facilities
- Distribution centers
Contact VPS for Effective Solar-Powered Parking Solutions
Clean building performance standards have become integral in commercial building projects. These guidelines contribute to property energy performance, which affects a business’s carbon footprint. Property owners who comply with certain requirements and regulations may qualify for government incentives, such as tax credits and funding.
Commercial building owners can leverage renewable energy sources like solar to work toward compliance. Solutions like VPS’s solar-powered structures provide hail and UV protection while generating clean energy. These structures are practical, durable, and reliable, providing businesses with a solid, efficient solution that provides benefits well beyond parking protection.
The professionals at VPS offer innovative solutions to reduce costs and maximize energy efficiency. We have years of experience in the industry, with extensive resources and capabilities. In fact, our installations involve over 95% of all automotive hail protection and fabric-based covered parking in North America.
Our processes are streamlined and designed to give your company a competitive advantage, all while helping you align with sustainability standards. Contact us now to learn more!
