Philadelphia BEPP Compliance Pathways

Compliance in Philadelphia is a two-step process overseen by the Office of Sustainability (OOS). The Building Energy Performance Program (BEPP) applies to all non-residential buildings over 50,000 square feet.

First, we secure your baseline with verified Benchmarking. Then, we use that data to determine if you are eligible for the High Performance Pathway or if you must proceed with a mandatory Tune-Up.

⚠ The Specialist Requirement

Tune-ups cannot be done by just anyone. They must be performed by a Qualified Tune-Up Specialist.

We hold the required PE/CEM credentials and are fully registered with the City of Philadelphia as an approved Specialist provider.

Step 1: The Foundation

Annual Energy Benchmarking

Required for all buildings > 50,000 SF. We don't just "submit data"; we verify it. Accurate benchmarking is the only way to qualify for the High Performance Pathway below.

Submission Deadline June 30 (Annual)

Step 2: The Smart Path

High Performance Pathway

Eligibility: If your Benchmarking (Step 1) shows an ENERGY STAR Score of 75+ or LEED Gold, you qualify for this streamlined path.

Data Verification: PE-Certified review of your inputs.
Pathway Filing: We submit proofs to OOS.
Cost Savings: Avoid $15k+ in Tune-Up costs.

Application Due: April 15 (Cycle Year)

Step 2: The Correction Path

Mandatory Tune-Up

Requirement: If you don't qualify for High Performance, you must hire a Qualified Tune-Up Specialist to inspect systems.

Site Inspection: HVAC, Sensors, Lighting controls.
Corrective Action: We identify "no-cost" fixes you must repair.
Final Report: Signed and sealed submission to City.

Report Due: Sept 30 (Cycle Year)

Sheehan Engineering | Your Philadelphia BEPP Provider

As experts in energy compliance and building optimization, we understand that Philadelphia BEPP compliance is more than just a regulatory task—it is an opportunity to reduce operating expenses, increase asset value, and improve the sustainability profile of your asset.

Don't risk non-compliance and mounting daily fines. Let us be your dedicated partner for the Philadelphia BEPP.

Contact us directly, or fill out the form, to start the conversation!

Email: kevin@sheehan-eng.com

Call: (773) 312-2898

Philadelphia BEPP FAQ

Common questions on Tune-Ups, Specialist requirements, and Cycle 2 deadlines.

Costs vary significantly based on your compliance path.

1. High Performance Exemption: If your building qualifies (e.g., ENERGY STAR Score 75+), our fee is minimal—typically just for the Data Verification and filing paperwork. This is the most cost-effective path.

2. Full Tune-Up: If you do not qualify for an exemption, costs are higher because they involve physical site inspections and mandatory repairs. We provide custom proposals based on square footage and HVAC complexity, ensuring you don't pay for "fluff" you don't need.

No. The City of Philadelphia strictly requires that the final report be signed and sealed by a Qualified Tune-Up Specialist. This must be a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Certified Energy Manager (CEM) with at least 7 years of specific experience.

While your maintenance team can perform the repairs we identify, they cannot certify the compliance themselves. We work alongside your facilities team to guide them, but we provide the mandatory license and seal.

Unlike an energy audit which is just a "study," a Tune-Up is an action-based inspection. We inspect your HVAC, lighting, and hot water systems to identify "no-cost/low-cost" issues.

Common required fixes include:

Calibrating thermostats and sensors.
Adjusting HVAC schedules (so AC isn't running at midnight).
Fixing broken dampers or valves.
Replacing burnt-out lights or fixing occupancy sensors.

You don't "fail," but you cannot submit compliance until the issues are resolved.

The law requires Corrective Actions. Once we identify the deficiencies in our initial report, you are required to fix them. We then return to verify the repairs and submit your final compliance report to the City.

Immediately. Do not wait until the September 30 deadline.

Since you must fix identified issues before filing, you need to leave time for your contractors to perform repairs. We recommend starting your Tune-Up at least 4 to 6 months before your deadline to avoid the "September Rush" where contractor availability disappears.

Philadelphia enforcement is aggressive. Failure to submit a Tune-Up report or Exemption claim can result in a fine of $2,000 immediately, plus accrued daily penalties for continued non-compliance.

Getting a proposal from us is free; paying the City fine provides zero value.

Looking for official documents?
Visit the Official Philly BEPP Helpdesk →