Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) & Benchmarking
The District has some of the most aggressive climate goals in the nation. With buildings in DC responsible for more than 70% of the emissions citywide, benchmarking and building performance are more important than ever to reducing greenhouse gas and energy consumption by 50% by 2032.
Benchmarking in DC
Benchmarking is the process of tracking a building's energy and water usage, using a standard metric to evaluate its relative efficiency over time as well as to compare the building's efficiency to its peers nationwide. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) free benchmarking software, ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager, has become standard as cities look to drive energy efficiency and utility transparency.
The Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008 established that all large private buildings over 50,000 gross square feet and District government buildings over 10,000 gross square feet, must annually benchmark and report their energy and water consumption to the Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) for public disclosure.
The annual reporting deadline is April 1st of each year. Starting calendar year 2021 all privately owned buildings over 25,000 square feet will be required to benchmark (due April 1, 2022) and starting calendar year 2024 all privately-owned buildings over 10,000 square feet will be required to benchmark (due April 1, 2025), as mandated under the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018.
DOEE publishes summary results for each building on its website. DOEE also shares all benchmarking data collected with the DCSEU to help the DCSEU in its mission of driving energy efficiency improvements throughout the city.
Reporting Requirements
Building Size |
Reporting Requirement Begins |
---|---|
50,000+ ft² |
2014 (with 2013 data) |
25,000-49,999 ft² |
2022 (with 2021 data) |
10,000-24,999 ft² |
2025 (with 2024 data) |
What are the BEPS?
Resources
Take advantage of the following resources that can help you navigate benchmarking and BEPS
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FY 2025 AHRA Kick-Off Info Session Recording
Catch up on the FY 2025 Kick-Off Info Session for the DCSEU Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator (AHRA)! Access the recording and presentation slides to learn about new funding opportunities through the Inflation Reduction Act.
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Train Green Course Recordings: Introduction to Geothermal Exchange Systems
This session covers the basics of geothermal heating and cooling, different ground-coupled heat exchangers, the design and construction process, and financial incentives. Perfect for DC contractors interested in efficient, fossil-fuel-free HVAC solutions.
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Train Green Course Recordings: Don’t miss out on Federal Tax Incentives 179D/48!
Presented by Baumann Consulting, this course helps DC contractors understand and leverage tax incentives for energy-efficient upgrades and renewable energy investments in HVAC, lighting, and on-site systems. Access the recordings to learn how to maximize federal benefits on your projects.
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Houses of Worship Roundtable Recording
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Co-op & Condo Owners Roundtable Recording
Watch the June 2023 roundtable for multifamily property owners and managers. Explore capital improvement challenges, incentives, programs, and tips for navigating ownership changes.
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FY 2025 Income Qualified Efficiency Fund Info Session Recording
Prep for future IQEF funding opportunities for your affordable multifamily building, clinic, or shelter.
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Train Green Course Recording: Introduction to Commercial & Multifamily Energy Audits
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Train Green Course Recording: Introduction to Retro Commissioning
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Multifamily Property Owner Roundtable Recording
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