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Commercial buildings make up 49% of carbon emissions in Denver. With other Colorado cities working on their building performance standards, the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy aims to ensure that all existing buildings are net-zero emissions by 2040. Alongside this policy, the 2022 Denver Energy Code and Denver Green Code aim to alleviate the impacts of new and existing buildings on climate change.
Similar to other city-wide performance standards like BERDO 2.0 in Boston, the Energize Denver Building Performance Policy sets energy targets for existing buildings across the city. Currently, more than 25% of larger buildings in Denver already meet their 2030 targets.
The Energize Denver ordinance applies to buildings of 25,000 square feet or larger. Buildings of this size must submit annual benchmarking data, with energy use intensity (EUI) targets based upon building type. Buildings between 5,000 and 24,999 square feet must meet lighting or renewable energy targets instead. Interim targets have been set for 2028, with final energy targets set for 2032.
The annual benchmarking report aims to verify that a building is meeting its performance requirements. These reports must be submitted by June 1 every year, using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager Tool. All reported data is publicly available, encouraging people to make informed decisions based upon a building’s energy performance. A qualified third party must verify any benchmarking data submitted for the reporting years 2026 and 2032.
Two types of penalties exist for not meeting performance requirements. The cost of these penalties is likely higher than the cost of energy efficiency measures.
The 2022 Denver Energy Code (DEC) aims to ensure new construction in Denver is more sustainable, and provides guidance on upgrading or renovating existing buildings. The DEC is part of the 2022 Denver Commercial Building Code, which establishes minimum mandatory standards for commercial and multifamily construction.
For new construction, there are several compliance pathways to ensure all new buildings achieve zero emissions by 2030. For commercial projects, either a prescriptive or a performance compliance pathway can be chosen. Each of these compliance types follows ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019.
All pathways must meet heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), domestic hot water (DHW) and lighting commissioning requirements, along with carrying out envelope verification and air leakage testing. Whole-building energy modeling can be utilized for compliance with the performance pathway. This can be done through energy cost savings, energy savings, or by aiming for a fixed performance target.
For existing buildings, the code introduced partial electrification requirements for commercial and multifamily structures. These requirements aim to introduce more energy-efficient space and water heating and cooling systems, by replacing end-of-life gas-fired equipment or replacing when it will not cause financial strain.
The 2022 Denver Green Code (DGC) aims to mitigate the impact of buildings upon climate change and biodiversity loss, while also enhancing resilience and occupant health & comfort. DGC is mostly voluntary, introducing integrated environmental approaches to building design and construction. This code requires commercial and multifamily buildings to meet some provisions, including:
Now is the time to start assessing whether your buildings are in line with the Energize Denver performance targets. IES are uniquely positioned to help projects comply with these targets and codes.
IESVE, our energy modeling tool used for performance-based design of buildings, helps designers and engineers to develop dynamic simulation models. These models are perfect for analyzing designs for daylighting, glare, solar heat gains, natural airflow, occupant comfort, heating/cooling loads and whole-building carbon modeling. The software has been tested in compliance with ASHRAE Standard 140, and meets requirements for ASHRAE 90.1. Many state level energy codes, such as Title 24 or Florida's Commercial Energy Code, have certified IESVE for compliance.
Project teams can utilize IESVE for commercial buildings to comply with the Denver Energy Code. However, to comply with the prescriptive path, you need two IESVE models: one for loads and sizing, and one for COMcheck. Having to input two sets of data can double the chance of errors, along with duplicating work effort.
This is why we recommend using IESVE for the performance compliance pathway, as you only need one model. This model can be used to calculate peak loads & HVAC sizing, and simulate operational carbon and energy in terms of EUI and/or cost. With our ASHRAE 90.1 Navigator, the dynamic simulation model can also be used to automatically generate a baseline for the building to be used for comparing building performance.
IESVE can also generate necessary reports for submitting your energy data to the Denver Energy Code. Generated for both the proposed model and the baseline model, the software can generate the following report types:
Various input visualizations can also be illustrated to assist with quality assurance and control.
Before making upgrades to any building systems, our expert consultants recommend implementing an envelope or fabric-first approach. Envelope improvement strategies can improve energy efficiency. These strategies can reduce the overall building loads by keeping more heat in, increase occupant comfort and allow for any future heating system replacements to be smaller (and therefore more cost efficient).
IESVE can be utilized to identify potential retrofit options suitable for your building, such as air sealing or adding new insulation, and de-risk these investments by simulating each option and analyzing these against key performance indicators.
MicroFlo-CFD, one of our IESVE applications, provides designers with the opportunity to understand air flow and heat transfer in and around buildings, allowing for the design of comfortable, draft-free, non-stuffy internal environments. This application can also be utilized to comply with Denver Green Code’s provisions to monitor indoor environmental quality.
ApacheHVAC, another application fully integrated into IESVE, can be used to carry out detailed, flexible, component-based HVAC system design, sizing and modeling. The ideal system right for your building, budget and the environment can be identified, allowing you to comply not only with the partial electrification requirements for the Denver Energy Code, but also for energy efficiency measures as part of Denver Green Code provisions.
IESVE can be used to carry out performance benchmarking in compliance with Energize Denver. IES’ tried-and-tested APACHE building physics engine is at the core of our software. When used alongside real-time metering data, it can deliver a building optimization program to optimize the energy flows throughout your building and increase energy efficiency.
Real-time metering can also be used to ensure the optimal building performance is achieved at all stages of the building’s life cycle, by monitoring occupant behavioural changes or identifying any equipment faults.
Do you design or operate buildings larger than 5,000 square feet in Denver? Make sure your buildings meet energy standards and requirements to avoid penalties. Get in touch with our team here, to find out more about how our building performance software can help.
