Building Performance Standards: A ‘Paradigm Shift’ for Facilities

Building Performance Standards: A Paradigm Shift in Energy Efficiency

A growing number of state and local governments have enacted Building Performance Standards (BPS) to force building owners to improve their facilities’ energy efficiency and cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Introduction

For decades, states and cities have taken steps to encourage institutional and commercial facilities to operate more energy efficiently. The efforts started with benchmarking and disclosure laws on energy use, and they transitioned to requirements for building energy audits and retrocommissioning. But as the impact of climate change and the acknowledgement of the role of buildings in GHG emissions has grown, governments have come to realize they must do more.

What are Building Performance Standards?

A BPS policy is a set of standards designed to reduce carbon emissions of buildings by improving energy, gas, and water use, and peak demand. These standards’ requirements become stricter over time and are designed to drive continuous, long-term improvement.

Recent Enactments

Among the jurisdictions that have enacted BPS in recent years are Colorado, Maryland, and Washington state, along with such cities as Denver, St. Louis, and New York City.

Key Features of BPS

• Long-term policies designed to drive energy and carbon reductions through reduction targets
• Shifts building owners to a continuous operational improvement cycle
• Typically balances immediate action and compliance flexibility
• Failure to comply can result in enforcement of financial penalties

Denver’s BPS

Denver’s BPS aims to force existing buildings to achieve net zero by 2040 and new buildings by 2030. The penalties for noncompliance are higher than the cost of upgrade projects to incentivize building owners to invest in energy efficiency improvements.

The likely benefits of the BPS for building owners and occupants include:

• Improved energy use and lower cost of operations
• A more competitive and attractive city for businesses and residents
• Improved return on investment for building owners
• Improved overall building stock, property values, and indoor/outdoor air quality

Tools for Compliance

Managers looking to comply with a BPS can utilize the Data Explorer tool as part of the EPA’s Portfolio Manager. The tool provides access to energy use data from over 150,000 U.S. commercial and multifamily properties, allowing managers to compare their building’s energy performance with similar facilities.

Key Steps for Compliance

• Understand a building’s interim and final performance targets
• Know the allowable compliance measures in the jurisdiction
• Ensure accurate energy-use benchmarking
• Identify operational and capital improvements and seek assistance from utilities
• Take advantage of compliance support offered by state and local governments, lenders, and utilities
• Create a retrofit plan to reach targets

Facility managers must understand the impact of BPS on their role and the need to upgrade buildings to comply. It presents an opportunity to secure project funding and improve energy efficiency.

Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering, and management.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the implementation of building performance standards (BPS) by state and local governments to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These actions align with the goals of SDG 7, SDG 11, and SDG 13, which focus on affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action, respectively. Additionally, the article mentions the need for partnerships between governments, lenders, and utilities, which relates to SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• SDG 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
• SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships

The article does not explicitly mention these specific targets, but the implementation of building performance standards (BPS) by state and local governments aims to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and integrate climate change measures into policies and planning. These actions contribute to the achievement of the targets mentioned above.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No, the article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Note: The article provides general information about building performance standards (BPS) and their benefits but does not provide specific details or data on indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: facilitiesnet.com

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