Despite a recent shift in legislation, the DMV and greater Mid-Atlantic region show continued interest in electrification. However, electrifying a building isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. From grid limitations to real-world equipment performance, the road to electrification is full of trade-offs and technical nuance.

At Engenium Group, we’ve been walking this road with clients across DC, Maryland, and Virginia—and we’ve seen what works, what doesn’t, and what’s coming next. Here’s a breakdown of where the region stands, what’s driving the change, and how building owners, developers, and design teams can make smarter, more future-ready decisions.

The Policy Push: BEPS and Beyond

The District’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS), originally enacted in 2021, set an aggressive course toward 50% greenhouse gas reductions by 2032. Maryland followed suit with the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, aiming for a 20% cut by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2040. Both standards mandate significant energy performance improvements for large commercial and multifamily buildings.

The result? Combustion-based heating systems are being phased out, and electricity is stepping in to fill the gap. But as demand for electricity grows, so do the pressures on infrastructure—and the need for smarter heating strategies. Enter President Donald Trump: BEPS is currently on hold, and who knows how Maryland will follow. Time will tell how legislation evolves, but resilient building owners remain future-focused.  

Electrification: Technically Possible, Logistically Complex

Electric boilers offer 99%+ efficiency and zero on-site emissions. In progressive cities like DC, they can boost marketability and give building a premium edge. When considering a switch from gas-fired boilers to electric boilers, building owners should be aware that electric boilers come with steep requirements, like:

• High electrical loads → require major service upgrades
• Larger distribution infrastructure → adds cost and footprint
• Expensive up front → often without operational savings

And while electricity itself may be “clean” at the point of use, most U.S. power still comes from fossil fuel-fired plants. Once you factor in generation and transmission losses, the net environmental benefit of an all-electric system gets fuzzy, fast.

What About Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps are systems which move heat rather than generate it. With a Coefficient of Performance (COP) around 3.5, heat pumps can offer a compelling alternative—potentially delivering 350% “efficiency” by leveraging the thermodynamic properties of refrigerants.

Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) have come a long way in the past decade. Some models now operate reliably at temperatures as low as -20°F. But cold climates still pose challenges:

• Icing on coils reduces heat transfer
• Defrost cycles interrupt performance right when you need it most
• Compressor stress at low temps reduces compressor life

So, are ASHPs out of the question? Not necessarily.

Smarter Hybrids: The ASHP + Electric Boiler Approach

One of the most practical solutions Engenium Group is deploying today pairs ASHPs with electric boilers. The hybrid setup:

• Takes advantage of heat pump efficiencies when the outdoor temperature is mild
• Generates supplemental heat when there is little heat in the outdoor air
• Reduces total electrical demand compared to electric boiler-only systems

Yes, it’s more complex—and yes, the upfront costs are higher. But over time, the energy savings of the ASHPs and the emissions reductions of the electric boilers can justify the investment. It’s a flexible, future-focused approach which has been applied to many buildings across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Gold Standard: Ground-Source Heat Pumps

For projects with significant land area and budget, ground-source heat pump systems become an attractive option. These systems use the earth as a heat sink; absorbing heat from the earth in the winter, and rejecting heat back to the earth in the summer. The stable underground temperatures allow efficient heating—even on the coldest days—eliminating icing and refrigerant head pressure issues altogether.

The trade-offs?

• High initial cost (drilling many deep wells isn’t cheap!)
• Large land requirements (wells are typically spaced ~20 feet apart)
• Complexity of balancing heating and cooling loads

But where feasible, these systems offer unmatched performance and efficiency—and they’re already in use at thousands of commercial and institutional sites nationwide.

A Grid Under Strain

The transition to electric heating doesn’t happen in a vacuum. The power grid has real limitations that must be addressed as the built environment evolves. Exelon’s PHI EV Load Serving Capacity Map shows that many areas are already at or near capacity. As electrification accelerates, infrastructure will begin to fail—especially in dense urban areas. Communicating with the local utility early in the design process is essential to limiting disruptions and delays.

Every project needs a custom strategy, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The best system is designed to achieve the Owner’s goals, balancing efficiency, reliability, capital cost, and long-term impact.

What This Means for Owners and Developers

If you’re planning a new project or looking to retrofit an existing one, here’s what Engenium Group recommends:

• Start Early – electrification impacts everything from site power to floor area.
• Be Realistic – “emissions-free” doesn’t always mean “impact-free.”
• Think Hybrid – pairing technologies often delivers the best result.
• Design for Flexibility – grid demands, regulations, and technologies are evolving.

We can help chart a path which aligns with your project goals, policy requirements, and long-term operational realities.

Let’s Build Smarter, Together

The electrification era is here—and it’s not without its complexities. But with smart design and the right technical insight, it’s possible to build systems that are efficient, resilient, and ready for what’s next.

If you’re navigating these choices, we’d love to talk.

About Engenium Group

Engenium Group is a boutique engineering and design firm providing innovative, insightful, and sustainable solutions tailored to our client’s specific goals. With a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, Engenium Group provides tailored solutions that enhance the built environment while meeting the evolving needs of both clients and the communities we are designing for. Engenium specializes in challenging mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology design projects in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.