WHAT ARE
BUILDING PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS
Building performance standards (also referred to as Building Energy
Performance Standards (BEPS)) are state and local laws that require existing
buildings to achieve minimum levels of energy or climate performance
targets by certain phased-in deadlines.
--> Performance Target: either in terms of on-site energy use intensity (EUI) or
annual greenhouse gas emissions— for each building type (e.g. one target for
offices, another target for multifamily, etc.).
--> Timeframes: Buildings subject to these policies have a set number of years,
referred to as a cycle, in which to comply – with increasingly stringent interim
targets in subsequent years. As the policy ages and new jurisdictional climate
goals are identified, additional buildings may be included. This phase in approach
allows ample flexibility for buildings to improve over time and discourages long-
lived investments in inefficient and environmentally damaging technology.
They are designed to reduce carbon emissions in buildings by improving energy,
gas, water, and peak demand. These standards become stricter over time, driving
continuous, long-term improvement in the building stock, and complementing
building energy codes. While all building performance standards share similar
central components in how they are designed and implemented, they differ in
specific customizations for each jurisdiction and its community. Many states and
municipalities that have not already done so, are considering implementing their
own BPS system as a direct tool for driving improved performance in existing
buildings.
Sustainability & Energy Management Simplified
IMT Comparison of U.S. Building
Performance Standards
