Washington requires buildings over 20,000 sq ft to track their energy use and file a management plan. For buildings between 20,000 and 50,000 sq ft, the state's Early Adopter Incentive covers JOIST's entire fee.
Tier 2 filings are due July 1, 2027, 281 days from today.
Jacob James, CEM, owner of JOIST, above downtown Yakima
Set your building's floor area. Each square below is 1,000 sq ft, and in Tier 2 each one earns you $300 from Washington's Early Adopter Incentive.
Each square is 1,000 sq ft and earns you $300.
Tier 2 building
$9,600
Early Adopter Incentive at $0.30/sq ft, paid to you by your utility. JOIST's fee is matched to it, so your cost is $0.
Miss the deadline and penalties can reach $9,600.
An estimate. Commerce approves applications and utilities pay owners directly, first come, first served. As of September 2026, over $142 million remains.
Washington sorts covered buildings into two tiers by floor area, and some can file for an exemption. Not sure where yours lands? The onboarding form tells us quickly.
20,000 to 50,000 sq ft, plus multifamily buildings over 20,000 sq ft
$0
For most buildings. Our fee is matched to the state's $0.30/sq ft Early Adopter Incentive, which your utility pays to you.
Filing deadline July 1, 2027
Start onboardingOver 50,000 sq ft
Half to a third
of what larger firms typically charge for a full energy audit and compliance package.
Manufacturing, agricultural, vacant or semi-heated buildings, any size
Often exempt
We document the exemption and file it quickly. Quoted after onboarding.
Since 2014, Jacob has audited hundreds of commercial and industrial facilities, finding practical, cost-effective ways to save energy. He's a Clean Buildings qualified energy auditor, and he's local: Jacob, his wife and their kids are enjoying farm life in Central Washington.
Two Certified Energy Managers and a construction project manager, each with a direct line.
JOIST's qualified energy auditors do the audit, write your Energy Management and O&M plans, and file everything with the state.
A few questions about your building. We'll know quickly whether it qualifies for Early Adopter Incentives.
Plain terms, with a quote that shows how the incentive offsets our fee.
Benchmarking, the site visit, and your Energy Management and O&M plans.
Usually 1 to 3 monthsWe walk you through both before anything is filed.
We submit it, apply for your incentive, and hand your team the login credentials.
Your utility pays you directly, usually several weeks after approval. Forward our fee within 30 days.
Straight answers, from the state's program rules and how JOIST works.
Washington's Clean Buildings Performance Standard (CBPS) is the state law, passed in 2019 and expanded in 2022, that requires owners of buildings over 20,000 square feet to track and manage their energy use. For Tier 2 buildings, that means benchmarking in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, an operations and maintenance program, and an Energy Management Plan. Unlike Tier 1, Tier 2 buildings don't have to meet an energy performance target.
If it's over 20,000 square feet, probably. Tier 2 covers buildings from 20,000 to 50,000 square feet, plus all multifamily buildings over 20,000. Tier 1 covers buildings over 50,000. Manufacturing, agricultural, vacant and semi-heated buildings may qualify for an exemption.
Qualifying Tier 2 buildings earn an Early Adopter Incentive of $0.30 per square foot, paid to the owner by their electric or gas utility. JOIST's Tier 2 pricing is matched to that incentive, and you forward our fee within 30 days of receiving it.
Tier 2 buildings must submit compliance and incentive applications by July 1, 2027. Incentive money is first come, first served, so filing earlier matters.
The site visit and paperwork usually take 1 to 3 months. After the state approves your package, the utility payment typically arrives within several weeks.
The Department of Commerce can assess progressive penalties, up to $0.30 per square foot. You'd also lose your place in line for incentive money.
Program details from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Send the form and we'll reply with your tier, your incentive and a clear quote. Rather talk it through? Call or text Jacob.