Benchmarking Standards for Washington Buildings
Our Mission‑Driven Approach in Washington
Building Performance Standards for Washington State (Clean Buildings Performance Standard - HB 1257)
Performance Metrics
Weather-normalized Energy Use Intensity
Performance Targets/Standards
EUI targets must be no greater than the average en- ergy use intensity for the building’s occupancy type with adjustments for unique energy-using features. EUI targets initially based on ASHRAE standard 100– 2018. Proposed rules set first target at 15% below average EUI for building type. Develop and implement Operations & Maintenance Program and Energy Management Plan.
Compliance Pathways
Buildings must meet the EUI target specified for their building type, or satisfy an investment criteria pathway consisting of an energy audit identifying all cost effective energy efficiency measures. Complete one of the following: - Target EUI path: benchmark building’s perfor- mance and calculate EUI target. Meet target by compliance deadline (conditional compliance period of 180 days) - Investment Criteria path: Conduct an audit and identify all EEMs. Identify an optimized bundle of EEMs that provides maximum energy savings with- out resulting in a savings-to-investment ratio of less than one. The optimized bundle of measures shall be implemented based on the schedule established within the energy management plan. Alternative Compliance Pathways The law directs the Department of Commerce to create a “conditional compliance method” for buildings that do not meet the performance target. Method requires owners to complete energy audits and invest in measures that meet savings-to-invest- ment ratio of 1.0 or greater. Buildings that do not meet their target EUI will be required to undergo an audit process to identify en- ergy efficiency measures that must be implemented. This process repeats until the adjusted EUI is less than the building’s target.
Exemptions
Federal buildings and buildings belonging exclu- sively to recognized Tribes are not required to comply with the standard. Historic buildings do not need to meet any requirement that would compromise their historical integrity. Other exemptions: • No Certificate of Occupancy for all 12 months prior to compliance date • Average occupancy less than 50% • Primary use of building is industrial • Primary use of building is agricultural • Building meets conditions of financial hardship
Request Your Energy Audit
Washington Building Energy Performance Standards
Policy Name
Clean Buildings Performance Standard (HB 1257)
Year Enacted
2019
Covered Buildings
Public/Gov’t ≥ 10,000 sq. ft. Comm & MF ≥ 20,000 sq. ft.
Compliance Cycle
Compliance cycles are every five years, with initial compliance beginning as follows: Comm ≥ 220,000 sq. ft. June 1st 2026. Comm 90,001 –220,000 sq. ft. June 1st 2027. Comm 50,000 –90,000 sq. ft. June 1st 2027. Comm 20,000 –49,999 sq. ft. MF ≥ 20,000 sq. ft. 2031
Enforcement
The Department of Commerce may impose a penalty up to $5,000 plus an amount based on the duration of any continuing violation. The additional amount for a continuing violation may not exceed a daily amount equal to $1 per gross square foot of floor area. The Department may raise penalty rates to adjust for inflation. Administrative penalties collected must be deposited into the low-income weatherization and structural rehabilitation assistance account.
