DC & Montgomery County’s Plans for Zero Emissions
Both the District of Columbia and Montgomery County are enforcing stricter energy efficiency laws to crack down on carbon emissions. Even though this topic has been around for decades, property managers and building owners are now being forced to meet new energy efficiency standards or else face hefty fines. Although the target of zero emissions isn’t immediate, measures will increase in stringency until the goal is ultimately met. Here’s more information on DC and Montgomery County’s energy efficiency plans and what commercial building owners and property managers need to know.
DC’s Clean Energy Plan
Did you know that Washington, DC, has one of the highest greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the entire United States? It beats out other large cities, including New York, Seattle, and San Francisco. As a result of the district’s high level of emissions, the first draft of the Clean Energy plan was published in November 2016. Clean Energy DC aims to reduce emissions by 56% in 2032. The energy and climate action plan includes guidelines instructing building owners on how to increase efficiency beyond the traditional methods.
Energy Performance Standards for Buildings
Clean Energy DC requires all newly constructed buildings to achieve net-zero energy starting in 2026. But even existing buildings are subject to certain guidelines, as noted in the Building Energy Performance Standards. These benchmarking requirements state that buildings of a certain size must reach a minimum level of energy efficiency.
Buildings that don’t comply with the standards will be placed in a Compliance Cycle until they reach the appropriate requirements. While improving the HVAC system can help, meeting these standards will require additional efficiency enhancements. One of the most overlooked ways of improving the energy efficiency of a building is through envelope upgrades like window film.
Buildings that don’t comply with the standards will be placed in a Compliance Cycle until they reach the appropriate requirements. While improving the HVAC system can help, meeting these standards will require additional efficiency enhancements. One of the most overlooked ways of improving the energy efficiency of a building is through envelope upgrades like window film.
Energy Efficiency Laws in Montgomery County
Montgomery County also has a Climate Action Plan with the ultimate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2035. That would mean no more gas-powered vehicles, heaters, or stoves, as well as no coal-produced electricity. With a de-emphasis on fossil fuels, energy sources would rely primarily on solar and wind. Business owners, commercial properties, and homeowners will have to abide by these new guidelines. With 86 actions listed on the plan, the one that would have the most impact is making renewable energy the default option for electricity in the county.
How Commercial Buildings Are Affected
Within Montgomery County, buildings made up 50% of all greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. To reduce emissions for these buildings, the plan advises existing and newly constructed buildings to depend on carbon-free energy sources and not on fossil fuels. Eliminating greenhouse gas emissions also requires implementing other measures, including improving the efficiency of windows, insulation, and mechanical systems.
Using Window Film to Comply with New Laws
By investing in window film, you can lower the carbon footprint of your building to meet the new energy efficiency guidelines in Montgomery County and Washington, DC. And if you’re an Energy Service Company, you can offer window film as a solution to help ensure projects are in compliance. Because window film improves the energy efficiency of a building’s envelope, it also helps reduce its carbon footprint to help companies avoid fines by not complying with upcoming guidelines.
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