Philadelphia has committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, making compliance with local sustainability policies more important than ever. As we move towards the second cycle of Philadelphia Building Tune-Ups, The Stone House Group is here to help you stay informed and prepared to meet the city’s requirements. Read on to learn how to stay compliant and how The Stone House Group can ease the process for you.
Meeting that demand requires a clear understanding of the technologies reshaping the industry and how to apply them in the real world. We’ve identified several emerging technologies that should be on every Facility Manager’s radar. We’ve categorized them by their primary impact: Energy and Operations.
.png)
A new form of solar panels is officially entering the US market, offering a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional rooftop solar. The European company Roofit.Solar focuses on a technology called building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), where the roofing material itself is the solar panel. These integrated systems minimize visual impact, which is often a consideration for historic buildings or aesthetically sensitive campuses.
Heat pump technology has undergone a significant transformation, overcoming past performance limitations, especially in colder climates. Recent studies, such as those conducted by organizations like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), confirm their viability and efficacy even in regions with harsh winters, making them a crucial technology for decarbonization efforts nationwide.
Geo-exchange (or ground source heat pump) systems remain one of the most effective ways to heat and cool facilities using the stable temperature of the earth, providing high-efficiency heating/cooling regardless of external weather conditions. The financial viability of these systems has been significantly boosted by the continued availability of federal and state tax credits, which can substantially lower the first-cost hurdle, making the long-term ROI even more attractive. Innovation in this area focuses on optimizing the drilling process and improving heat transfer efficiency to reduce installation costs and land usage. For instance, Minnesota-based Darcy Solutions has pioneered "turbo-charging" mechanisms that utilize the high thermal conductivity of moving groundwater. By drawing heat from an aquifer rather than static soil, these systems allow for significantly fewer wells to achieve the same energy output, maximizing efficiency while minimizing site disruption.
The next generation of Building Automation Systems (BAS) is moving toward smarter, more flexible control architectures. New, non-proprietary controllers, such as those utilizing the EnOcean standard, are entering the market, offering a cheaper and more adaptable alternative to complex, expensive proprietary BAS. While the EnOcean standard itself does not incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), this shift gives facility managers more freedom in system configuration, allowing them to leverage AI and machine learning capabilities to control systems through a smart server. This setup allows for the autonomous reconfiguration of system points and optimization of performance, constantly fine-tuning a building's operation for peak efficiency and minimal energy waste.
The next step beyond intelligent controls is using data analysis to constantly monitor and diagnose the operational health of your building portfolio. These platforms connect directly to your existing Building Automation System (BAS) to continuously ingest real-time operational data (e.g., temperatures, setpoints, valve positions, equipment runtimes, etc.). For example, a platform like ClockWorks utilizes proprietary FDD algorithms to automatically detect and diagnose operational faults and inefficiencies, turning raw data into opportunities for low-cost or no-cost corrections.
These modern systems replace traditional keyways with battery-powered mechanisms, providing detailed audit trails and simplifying access control for staff and visitors. Cutting-edge systems now explore "direct line of sight" non-connected power charging, eliminating the need for complex hardwiring at every door.
Capturing accurate "as-built" conditions for existing facilities has traditionally been a time-consuming and expensive process, often involving professional surveying or manual measurements. Tools like Polycam (a mobile and desktop application) are democratizing this process by leveraging LiDAR and photogrammetry capabilities found in modern smartphones and tablets. The SHG team can partner with your facilities staff to rapidly scan rooms, entire floors, or building exteriors to generate accurate, georeferenced 3D models and 2D floor plans. This allows for near-instantaneous documentation of spaces for renovation planning, capital project management, and simply maintaining a digital twin of the campus.
Launched in 2012, Philadelphia’s Energy and Benchmarking Disclosure Law serves as a foundation for the city’s climate strategy. The buildings and industry sector account for over 70% of greenhouse gas emissions in Philadelphia, making it a high priority for climate action. This law addresses the building sector head-on by mandating that the largest buildings in the city report on their annual energy and water usage.
Why? Benchmarking promotes transparency and accountability surrounding energy and water consumption. Benchmarking helps identify high-energy-use buildings, setting the stage for improvement and long-term reductions in energy costs and emissions.
Who? All commercial and multifamily buildings over 50,000 SF must participate in annual benchmarking.
When? Owners must submit benchmarking data by June 30th each year.
How? Monthly energy and water data, as well as building square footage and property use information, must be gathered and logged in the U.S. EPA’s free ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Total energy and water consumption is then shared with the City of Philadelphia for review, which then publishes the results in an annual report.
Philadelphia’s Building Energy Performance Policy was passed in 2023 and is often referred to as the “Building Tune-Up Bill.” Benchmarking data was foundational in identifying buildings that could benefit most from tune-ups, and with the second cycle approaching, property owners should prepare for upcoming requirements.
Why? Once fully implemented, this policy is expected to reduce carbon emissions in the City of Philadelphia by 200,000 metric tons– the equivalent of removing 40,000 cars from the roads. Tune-ups are estimated to reduce energy consumption by 10-15% on average, reducing energy costs and resulting in more comfortable and healthy buildings for tenants.
Who?All non-residential buildings with over 50,000 SF of indoor floor space. Certain buildings, such as those recently constructed or scheduled for demolition, are exempt.
When? Building owners must complete a building tune-up every five years. The first cycle of tune-ups just concluded in September of 2024, and the second cycle will begin in 2026. Tune-up deadlines are based on building size, with the largest buildings in Philadelphia having the earliest deadlines for report submission.
Visit the City of Philadelphia’s website for compliance deadlines related to filing for extensions, alternative compliance paths, and high-performance certification.
How? Building owners must hire an approved tune-up specialist, such as The Stone House Group, to complete the assessment and sign off on the Tune-Up Workbook. Tune-up specialists have Professional Engineer (PE) and/or Certified Energy Manager (CEM) licenses and at least seven years of related education and experience. Through the tune-up process, specialists identify operational and maintenance improvements that can reduce energy use and thus energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. High-performance buildings with ENERGY STAR or LEED certifications may qualify for the alternative compliance path to compliance.
In addition to being necessary for compliance and avoiding fines, the above laws can provide additional benefits to your building and organization.
Financial Benefits: Sustainable building practices can lead to lower operating costs through reduced energy and water utility consumption. Investing in modernization projects and practicing proactive facilities management can ensure efficient building operations, leading to long-term cost savings. Best practices in operation and maintenance can prevent costly repairs from deferred maintenance burdens down the road.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Many businesses and organizations are committed to sustainability as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Complying with the aforementioned local laws demonstrates your organization's commitment to CSR and to building stewardship, engaging tenants/occupants who value environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
Healthy Buildings: Complying with the Philadelphia building policy can result in healthier buildings by reducing energy consumption, improving indoor air quality, and creating a more comfortable and productive environment for occupants. A healthy building can lead to improved employee morale, productivity, and tenant satisfaction.
The Stone House Group has been providing energy and sustainability consulting services such as building commissioning, energy audits, energy benchmarking, and greenhouse gas accounting since our company's inception in 1999. We have a deep understanding of the requirements of Philadelphia’s building energy policies and have been helping clients comply with local laws for years. Our qualified associates take a holistic approach to our clients’ energy and sustainability needs, considering all aspects of the campus operations and the institutions’ goals.
If you are looking for a partner to help you comply with Philadelphia benchmarking and building tune-ups, The Stone House Group is the right choice. We have the experience, expertise, and commitment to help you achieve your compliance goals. Contact The Stone House Group today to learn more about how we can help you comply with Philadelphia’s local laws.
Source:
Wilson, E. J. H., Munankarmi, P., Less, B. D., Reyna, J. L., & Rothgeb, S. (2024). Heat pumps for all? Distributions of the costs and benefits of residential air-source heat pumps in the United States. Joule, 8(4), 1000–1035. Link: https://docs.nlr.gov/docs/fy24osti/84775.pdf
.png)
.png)