Control Energy at the Source
Automate HVAC and lighting schedules, setpoints, and operating modes to help reduce unnecessary energy use.
U.S. MARKET OVERVIEW
Lower Energy Costs. Reduce Compliance Risk.
Bisly helps building owners modernize their properties through intelligent building automation.
By optimizing energy consumption and centralizing building controls, Bisly can help you:
- Reduce Exposure to Costly Penalties
Improve building energy performance to support compliance with local emissions and efficiency regulations.
- Lower Energy Bills
Reduce unnecessary HVAC and lighting consumption through intelligent automation.
- Unlock Financial Incentives
Qualifying building automation upgrades may be eligible for utility rebates and energy-efficiency incentives, reducing upfront investment.
Energy consumption and operating-cost outcomes depend on building conditions and implementation.
Explore how regulations, energy costs, and available incentives affect your market.
Three Forces Reshaping Building Economics
For building owners, modernization is no longer just a technology decision. Local regulations can set performance targets, energy prices determine the value of efficiency, and available incentives may help offset project costs. Select a topic to see how these factors differ by market.
Building Performance Standards Are Expanding
Some jurisdictions regulate greenhouse gas emissions; others set energy-use targets or require a combination of measures. The requirements, covered buildings, and deadlines differ. The table below highlights selected jurisdictions where owners may need to plan for progressively stronger performance expectations.
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| Jurisdiction / official source | What it covers | Main requirement | Where it’s heading |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC – Local Law 97 | Most buildings >25,000 sf | GHG emissions intensity | Significantly tighter limits in 2030; net-zero trajectory to 2050 |
| Boston – BERDO 2.0 | ≥20,000 sf or ≥15 residential units | GHG emissions intensity | Standards tighten every five years to zero emissions in 2050 |
| Seattle – BEPS | Buildings >20,000 sf | GHG emissions intensity | Targets begin 2031–35 by building size and tighten every five years toward net zero |
| Maryland – statewide BEPS | Most buildings ≥35,000 sf | Direct GHG emissions + energy performance | 2030 standards; zero net direct GHG emissions by 2040 |
| Cambridge, MA – BEUDO | Nonresidential ≥25,000 sf | Carbon emissions | Buildings ≥100,000 sf begin reductions in 2026 and reach net zero in 2035; smaller covered buildings follow |
| Evanston, IL – Healthy Buildings Ordinance | Most buildings ≥20,000 sf | Energy, emissions and renewable-energy performance | Progressive performance standards supporting building decarbonization by 2050 |
| Washington, DC – BEPS | Cycle 1: private buildings >50,000 sf | ENERGY STAR / EUI performance | Successive performance cycles intended to drive continued reductions |
| Colorado – statewide | Commercial, multifamily and public buildings ≥50,000 sf | Energy-use or GHG performance | Statewide performance program targeting major reductions through 2030 and beyond |
| Denver – Energize Denver | Buildings ≥25,000 sf | EUI targets | Building-specific energy-performance targets; most buildings have an interim deadline in 2028 and a final deadline in 2032 |
| St. Louis – BEPS | Buildings ≥50,000 sf | Site EUI | Initial targets took effect in 2025; standards are reviewed and updated every four years |
| Oregon – statewide BPS | Tier 1 commercial buildings ≥35,000 sf | EUI / ASHRAE Standard 100 | Compliance phases in from 2028 through 2030 by building size |
| Washington State – Clean Buildings | Tier 1 commercial buildings >50,000 sf | EUI / Clean Buildings Performance Standard | Compliance is already phasing in from 2026 through 2028 |
Data reviewed October 2026. This selected-jurisdiction table preserves the September 2026 IBIS article’s comparison. Requirements, deadlines, exceptions, and enforcement pathways differ by building type and may change. Check the linked government source for authoritative requirements; this is not legal or compliance advice.
There is no single nationwide building performance standard. A flexible building automation platform can help owners manage day-to-day operations while preparing for evolving requirements.
Read the full analysis: Building Performance Standards Are Spreading Across the U.S.The Price of Energy Changes the Payback
High electricity prices strengthen the financial case for building automation in markets such as California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. In Rhode Island, commercial electricity averaged 23.31¢/kWh in August 2026—approximately 61% above the national average of 14.47¢/kWh. Combined with potential utility incentives for qualifying building automation and energy-efficiency upgrades, this can make modernization particularly attractive. The Rhode Island figure is a statewide commercial-sector average, not a Providence-specific utility tariff; actual building costs depend on the utility account and rate structure.
Average Commercial Electricity Price — August 2026
California (LA / other California markets proxy)30.02¢/kWh
Massachusetts (Boston proxy)24.11¢/kWh
District of Columbia23.31¢/kWh
Providence / Rhode Island (statewide commercial average)23.31¢/kWh
New York (NYC proxy)23.06¢/kWh
Illinois (Chicago proxy)14.67¢/kWh
U.S. commercial average (benchmark line/bar)14.47¢/kWh
Colorado (Denver proxy)13.94¢/kWh
Washington (Seattle proxy)11.81¢/kWh
Data reviewed October 2026; values represent August 2026. Commercial statewide averages, not city-specific quotes or utility tariffs. EIA’s 2026 figures are preliminary, released October 23, 2026. Demand charges, gas/steam, and site-specific rate structures are not represented. Do not use these values to quote a building-specific ROI without actual utility bills. EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A
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| Market reference | EIA geographic scope | Average commercial electricity price (¢/kWh), Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles / California | California statewide | 30.02 |
| Boston / Massachusetts | Massachusetts statewide | 24.11 |
| Washington, DC | District of Columbia | 23.31 |
| Providence / Rhode Island | Rhode Island statewide commercial average | 23.31 |
| New York City / New York | New York statewide | 23.06 |
| New Jersey / Jersey City–Newark | New Jersey statewide | 18.71 |
| Baltimore / Maryland | Maryland statewide | 17.00 |
| Chicago / Illinois | Illinois statewide | 14.67 |
| United States | U.S. commercial sector | 14.47 |
| Denver / Colorado | Colorado statewide | 13.94 |
| Philadelphia / Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania statewide | 13.93 |
| St. Louis / Missouri | Missouri statewide | 12.63 |
| Seattle / Washington | Washington statewide | 11.81 |
| Florida | Florida statewide | 11.35 |
| Oregon / Portland | Oregon statewide | 10.72 |
| Texas | Texas statewide | 8.96 |
Data reviewed October 2026; values represent August 2026. Commercial statewide averages, not city-specific quotes or utility tariffs. EIA’s 2026 figures are preliminary, released October 23, 2026. Demand charges, gas/steam, and site-specific rate structures are not represented. Do not use these values to quote a building-specific ROI without actual utility bills. EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A
Programs That Can Offset Modernization Costs
Utility and energy-efficiency programs may help pay for qualifying controls, HVAC optimization, lighting upgrades, and other building improvements. The relevant program depends on utility territory, customer class, building type, measures, and pre-approval rules. These examples are a starting point—not a guarantee that a particular automation project or Bisly equipment qualifies.
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| Market / service territory | Program (link to program owner) | Relevant opportunity / verified example | Key eligibility caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City — Con Edison C&I | Commercial & Industrial Energy Efficiency | Custom incentives can include building management system upgrades, controls, chiller optimization, and demand-controlled ventilation. | C&I electric measures generally target Con Edison commercial electric accounts averaging >100 kW and exclude multifamily; gas/steam rules differ. Do not advertise the C&I program for all apartment buildings. |
| New York City — multifamily | Con Edison Market-Rate Multifamily Building Savings | Incentives for eligible efficiency equipment in market-rate buildings with 5+ residential units; energy management systems are among the categories described by Con Edison. | Account/service, building, and measure eligibility apply; program-specific rates must be confirmed. |
| NYC & Westchester — affordable multifamily | Affordable Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (AMEEP) | Comprehensive and targeted retrofit pathways; BMS and energy management systems appear in Con Edison’s measure list. | 5+ units and qualifying affordability documentation; cannot assume every market-rate property qualifies. |
| Greater Boston / eligible Massachusetts utility territories | Mass Save — Building Management Systems & Controls | Prescriptive example for eligible buildings under 300,000 sf: new BMS $0.10 per sequence per sf; upgrades $0.05 per sequence per sf, subject to rules. | Pre-approval is mandatory; limits by utility sponsor, system, sequence, and building characteristics. Rates are not a universal dollar-per-sf rebate. |
| Chicago / ComEd territory | ComEd Energy Efficiency — Business Incentives | ComEd explicitly lists Energy Management Systems, HVAC, controls, retro-commissioning, and custom incentive pathways. | Applicability varies; do not infer eligibility for new construction, software-only upgrades, or subscription controls without confirmation. |
| Los Angeles / LADWP territory | LADWP — Business Offerings for Sustainable Solutions (BOSS) | Existing program includes eligible controls and HVAC measures; published commercial examples include $0.60 per qualifying kWh saved for HVAC cooling and $0.25 per qualifying kWh saved for whole-building projects. | Nonresidential LADWP account; pre-installation review/pre-approval; measured savings and category restrictions. Do not imply all Bisly installations qualify. |
| Washington, DC | DC Sustainable Energy Utility — Custom Incentives | Custom technical assistance and incentives for cost-effective electrical savings, including lighting/controls and operational improvements. | Project pre-approval and DC customer/location requirements; exact award is project-specific. |
| Seattle / Seattle City Light territory | Seattle City Light — Commercial & Industrial Retrofit Programs | City Light lists HVAC major controls upgrade, multifamily retrofit, commissioning, and commercial retrofits. | Utility-service and project eligibility; preapproval before purchase/installation for most incentive projects. |
| Denver / Xcel Colorado territory | Xcel Energy — Energy Management Systems | Rebate for eligible new or upgraded efficiency controls; utility describes an incentive up to $600 per kW saved, capped at 60% of incremental cost. | Preapproval must precede purchase/order/shipping/installation; actual award is project-specific and service territory matters. |
| Baltimore / BGE territory | BGE Smart Energy — Energy Solutions for Business | Direct and custom incentives for qualifying lighting & controls, HVAC, and broader efficiency upgrades; published cap examples reach up to 50% of eligible retrofit costs. | BGE commercial-eligible rate classes; scope- and measure-dependent; not a blanket 50% rebate. |
| Oregon / participating utility territories | Energy Trust of Oregon — 2026 Existing Buildings Incentive Updates | 2026 incentive offerings for qualifying existing commercial buildings; examples include lighting/controls and certain equipment upgrades. | Verify utility and current measure guide; some 2025 incentives were discontinued for 2026. Avoid quoting a generic amount. |
| New Jersey / PSE&G territory | PSE&G — Energy Efficiency Programs | Business efficiency equipment incentives and custom program for qualifying energy-saving projects. | Specific utility account, technology, application, and project approval requirements. |
| Providence / Rhode Island | Rhode Island Energy — Business Retrofit & Energy Management Systems | Incentives for qualifying energy management systems, building controls, HVAC optimization, and custom energy-efficiency improvements. Programs may help offset the upfront cost of building modernization. | Subject to utility service territory, eligible equipment, documented savings, program requirements, and approval. |
Data reviewed October 2026. Incentives are utility-territory and project specific; rates, budgets, eligible measures, participation rules, and deadlines can change. Many programs require approval before purchase or installation. Check the linked program administrator’s current terms. No incentive is guaranteed, and listing a program does not mean Bisly is prequalified.
Need help deciding which programs could be relevant to your building? We can start by reviewing its location, building type, existing controls, and modernization goals.
Discuss a ProjectA More Adaptable Foundation for Building Operations
Regulation, energy prices, and incentive opportunities will continue to change. Building systems should be easier to manage and evolve—not another collection of disconnected tools. IBIS Group USA brings Bisly’s integrated building automation approach to the U.S. market, with local solution design and delivery support.
Connect Building Operations
Bring supported building functions and relevant operating data into a more unified environment instead of adding isolated tools for every requirement.
Make Better Decisions With Data
Improve visibility into the operation of connected systems and identify opportunities for performance improvements.
Prepare for What Comes Next
Design with integration and adaptability in mind so future equipment and technologies are easier to accommodate.
Start With Your Market
National trends help frame the opportunity. Building-level decisions depend on local rules, local utility programs, and the property's actual energy use. We are developing market-specific resources that bring those factors together.
New York City
Local Law 97, energy economics, and building modernization
New York City is an early focus. Explore how Local Law 97 is changing the conversation around building performance—and why adaptable automation matters as requirements and building technology evolve.
Read Our NYC Local Law 97 AnalysisWhat Could Smarter Building Operations Mean for Your Property?
Tell us about your building and your goals. We can discuss where an integrated building automation approach may simplify operations, reduce energy waste, and support a longer-term modernization strategy.