PACE Equity and New Buildings Institute (NBI) have launched a new financing option that offers a differentiated cost of capital for building a lower carbon building. The approach, dubbed CIRRUS™ Low Carbon, encourages owners and developers to use C-PACE financing with lower rates when they build more efficient buildings, charting a practical and financially beneficial path to building decarbonization. The first and only program of its kind, CIRRUS™ Low Carbon is available for new construction and renovations based on the CIRRUS Low Carbon Design Specification for Low Carbon Financing, developed by NBI in partnership with PACE Equity.
Building owners and developers who meet the design specification receive a lower cost of capital, access to the PACE Equity Low Carbon Team, and designation as a CIRRUS Low Carbon Building. Buildings that pursue CIRRUS Low Carbon are verified by NBI, achieving the status and benefits of a green building matched with the lower cost of capital and Low Carbon Team only available from PACE Equity.
“We believe that by introducing this innovative program, we can provide the financial incentive to advance low carbon projects,” said Beau Engman, president and founder of PACE Equity. “With CIRRUS, regular developers will be low carbon developers because they’ll receive a lower cost of capital and lower total cost of ownership for building that way. Improved ROI is correlated to improved building performance. We provide the leadership and expertise to prove that to our clients.”
Projects that follow CIRRUS Low Carbon will help reduce the 39% of U.S. carbon emissions that come from the built environment. CIRRUS Low Carbon is a practical standard based on ASHRAE 90.1 requirements and delivers 8% higher efficiency than the 2016 standard.
“These projects will be a critical game changer in the climate fight,” said NBI CEO Ralph DiNola. “A new IPCC report predicts dire consequences for inaction on climate change with a short window in which to take action. We are excited to work with PACE Equity to provide the technical backbone while they provide the low cost financing, engineering and estimating support for the CIRRUS Low Carbon program.”
Climate-friendly buildings deliver higher value with sales premiums of 11.5%, according to JLL research. U.S. Department of Energy data shows up to 17% better occupancy and rental rate premiums for such projects.
CIRRUS Low Carbon rewards buildings that meet or exceed the ASHRAE 90.1-2019 baseline requirements for efficiency of building envelope, HVAC, water heating and fixtures, interior and exterior lighting and controls, appliances and solar readiness. Fenestration, window/wall ratios, advanced metering and energy modeling requirements are also included. PACE Equity’s Low Carbon Team works with owners/developers and their design teams to help them meet the specification at the lowest incremental cost.
The technical specification was developed for projects that are eligible for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs available in 25 U.S. states, which often include the following:
- Residential buildings, including hotels, multifamily, and senior housing
- Office and retail buildings
- Conditioned warehouses and distribution centers
