To combat the inevitable changing climate, cities and states are taking the initiative to create their own plans for decreasing negative environmental impacts and promoting sustainable buildings. Washington, D.C.’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) are a pioneering initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy efficiency in existing buildings. Established under the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018, BEPS is central to the District’s goal of halving energy consumption and emissions by 2032. This article will summarize Washington DC’s BEPS and how the GreenGirt CMH™ continuous insulation and SMARTci® building enclosure systems can help new and retrofit projects achieve these standards.

What are the BEPS?

The key objectives of the BEPS focus on climate goals, which aim to help achieve the Sustainable DC plan’s targets. The first objective is to see a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use by 2032. The second objective for the BEPS is to focus on building sectors. This includes improvements in the district’s building emissions because buildings account for 70% of Washington DC’s total greenhouse gas emissions. The BEPS has highlighted the performance standards that must be met based on scores allotted by Energy Star, and pathways that buildings must follow if they do not meet those standards.

Performance Standards

• Benchmarking – Buildings are assessed against the local median Energy Star score or equivalent metrics like Source Energy Use Intensity (EUI), depending on the property type.
• Thresholds – The following are the minimum performance scores set by the BEPS in compliance to Energy Star for 6 different building types:

• • Retail: 64
  • Hotels: 54
  • Hospitals: 50
  • Multifamily: 66
  • Office: 71
  • School: 36

Compliance Pathways

According to the DOEE, buildings that are not meeting the BEPS must enter a 5-year compliance cycle, and must choose one of the following pathways:

• Performance Pathway – Achieve a 20% reduction in Adjusted Site EUI
• Standard Target Pathway – Meet or exceed the BEPS target for the building type
• Prescriptive Pathway – Implement specific energy efficiency measures outlines by the Department of Energy & Environment
• Alternative Compliance Pathway – Develop a custom plan approved by the DOEE to meet or exceed performance goals. Visit the DOEE website for more information.

How GreenGirt CMH & SMARTci can Support the BEPS

The GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems are the perfect solution for buildings in Washington DC that need to reach the performance standards set by the BEPS. Both systems consist of composite metal hybrid Z-girts which combine the strength of steel with the thermal efficiency of fiberglass. Unlike other Z-girt materials, such as steel or FRP-only, GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci provide the best of both worlds without having to sacrifice any performance requirements. These two systems have been utilized in new and retrofit construction projects that are LEED certified, Passive House certified, or both. GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci go the extra mile to prevent thermal bridging and offer the highest R-values on the market, positioning these systems as the most energy efficient and highest performing Z-girts available.

The Elle Apartments

The completed Elle Apartments building in Washington DC’s Golden Triangle district, which used GreenGirt CMH on its walls and earned LEED Silver certification. Photo by The Elle Apartments.

Located in the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District, the Elle Apartments is a mixed-use, modernized apartment building that includes 163 units, retail space, a rooftop pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a coworking space with pods and huddle rooms. Earning a LEED Silver certification for its efforts toward energy efficiency and meeting Washington DC’s BEPS, GreenGirt CMH was installed on the building’s walls at 2” deep and 16” on center, with mineral wool insulation and Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) cladding.

Conclusion

Washington DC’s BEPS is an integral part of the district’s initiative to increase sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible. As of January 2025, the BEPS Amendment Act of 2024 was signed into law, which included refinements to the program and stakeholder feedback. By adhering to BEPS, building owners contribute to a more sustainable and energy-efficient Washington, D.C., aligning with the city’s broader climate action goals. The GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems are effective in supporting Washington’s initiatives as BEPS continues to be implemented throughout the district for new and retrofit construction projects.

For more information about how GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems can help projects in Washington DC to achieve these energy efficiency goals, visit GreenGirt.com.