Everything You Need to Know About DC’s Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) Incentive Program
Key Takeaways
More than $50 million has been given to D.C. property owners investing in efficiency and sustainability with millions more available.
Owners that have already made investments could be earning cashback with DCSEU’s Pay For Performance program.
Our team can help maximize incentives for your asset.
For more than a decade, property owners in the District of Columbia have been offered a variety of incentives and rebates aimed at saving energy and money through efficiency and renewable programs. Starting in 2011, the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) has invested more than $50 million in upgrades to date. This has saved an estimated $1.3 billion in lifetime energy costs for D.C. residents and businesses and cut 7 million metric tons of lifetime carbon emissions.
What rebates and incentives are offered are highly differentiated by price and product type. Rebates for commercial and multifamily property owners fall into a few basic categories, some are limited to income-qualified applicants designed to support projects serving low- to moderate-income District residents. Even if a property isn’t income-qualified, basic rebates can add up to big savings. Total rebates for non-qualified properties are limited to $50,000 per location. Generally speaking, most income-qualified rebates follow a similar pattern, offering twice the rebate. DCSEU’s Pay for Performance (P4P) offers money back for buildings larger than 100,000 square feet that have invested in multi-measure energy efficiency and operational changes.
Rebates
Practically any building can apply for up to $50,000 in rebates aimed at energy upgrades. The rebates cover a variety of lighting, HVAC, food service, refrigeration, motors, appliances, and electric lawn care products, each with its own unique rebate. If a measure or improvement isn’t listed, the District may still honor the rebate if the upgrade can be proven to provide cost-effective electric savings. New equipment like what’s offered by the rebate can help lay the groundwork for sensors and controllers Nantum OS uses to reduce usage and costs. Multifamily buildings can leverage special bulk appliance rebates, even projects that are not income-qualified. Create an account with DCSEU here to see what rebates you can leverage or contact us.
Rebate Eligibility
Any building wanting to improve energy efficiency or renewable programs can apply for rebates. Anyone looking to receive rebates must submit for pre-approval before any equipment is purchased. Applications submitted without pre-approval are not guaranteed rebates. To be eligible for twice as many rebates, a project must serve ‘low-income communities’ defined as multifamily buildings, clinics, or shelters that serve low-income households. At least two-thirds of a property's households must meet the definition of ‘low-income’, meaning incomes equal to or below 80% of the area median income, to qualify.
Pay for Performance
If a building has already made significant efficiency upgrades, it is still eligible for incentives. The P4P program works by measuring pre- and post-project metered data, offering varying incentives based on factors like cost, scope, duration, energy saved, and funding availability. Because of the highly varied nature of each building and the improvements made, reaching out for our help or contacting a DCSEU Account Manager to inquire about specific incentive payouts is best.
Pay for Performance Eligibility
Every P4P project is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, making overarching rules hard to pin down. Only metered buildings are eligible and new construction does not qualify. If a building has achieved any of the following, it may be eligible for significant incentives: a 5% reduction in annual energy consumption, more than 100,000 kWh of electrical savings, or more than 500 MMBtu of natural gas saved.
Learn more about the full list of rebate eligible items and Pay for Performance criteria.
