Incentives for Multifamily Clients

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Energy $mart Multifamily Performance Program (MPP)
As a partner in NYSERDA’s Multifamily Building Performance Program, SWA helps new and existing buildings improve their performance, achieve the ENERGY STAR® label when eligible, and earn NYSERDA incentives. SWA’s many years of working with NYSERDA in a variety of different capacities is an indication of our knowledge of the agency itself, the contracting process, the customers, and the regional considerations for each project.

Depending on initial benchmarking results, NYSERDA sets a minimum 15% performance improvement target for every existing multifamily building project. SWA provides energy modeling services and conducts on-site walkthroughs to help owners and developers determine the nature of needed improvements, and makes specific recommendations using NYSERDA’s Energy Benchmarking Tool and intuitive energy modeling software. SWA professionals can also design and commission systems improvements. For ground up new construction multifamily projects or substantial rehabs, $15,000-$20,000 is available for projects following the Performance Path to offset energy modeling costs and up to an additional $1.50 per square foot is available for buildings that demonstrate achievement of the energy savings targets using cost-effective measures. Affordable projects that achieve LEED-H Silver certification can earn additional incentives.

FlexTech Benchmarking Pilot
NYSERDA has launched a pilot benchmarking incentive program. The pilot is particularly helpful to owners and developers of buildings larger than 50,000 sf, who are now required by Local Law 84 to pursue benchmarking annually. The pilot augments traditional NYSERDA FlexTech incentives by providing multifamily applicants with the first $3,000 in benchmarking services per site, with no cost share required when using approved FlexTech Consultants. SWA has been a FlexTech Consultant since the program’s inception.

Consolidated Edison

Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Program
SWA is an approved Market Partner in Con Edison’s Commercial and Industrial program. Commercial, industrial, and multifamily (75+ units) customers may qualify for rebates on equipment upgrades, performance-based custom incentives, and co-funded energy audits/efficiency technical studies. Pre-approved projects are eligible for 50% co-funding for Level III energy audits, up to $67,000. Post-audit, customers can apply for rebates toward energy efficient capital upgrades. Post-implementation, customers can then apply for performance-based incentives that are determined based on first year projections.

New Jersey Clean Energy

The New Jersey Clean Energy program offers a multitude of financial incentives for all customer types, ranging from solar/wind credits and rebates to free benchmarking. Through the NJ SmartStart program, customers can receive incentives for equipment upgrades. Funding is also available through the comprehensive Pay for Performance Program (P4P) and through cost-sharing in the Direct Install program.

Pay for Performance Program (P4P)
Launched in March 2009, the P4P offers incentives to existing multifamily buildings with an average annual peak kW demand of more than 100 kW (with exceptions for affordable buildings) as well as incentives for some new construction multifamily projects. As part of the program’s partner network, SWA is qualified to help owners and developers approach building upgrades comprehensively with P4P.

SWA is a P4P-approved partner. ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager is used in the program to benchmark current energy consumption of existing multifamily buildings. SWA then audits the project site, develops an Energy Reduction Plan, and makes recommendations to reduce operating costs. The firm also maps out a financial plan for funding energy efficiency measures and a construction schedule for installation. New construction multifamily buildings whose designs demonstrate 15% energy cost savings and who conduct commissioning are also eligible for incentives. New construction multifamily buildings up to six stories tall can earn incentives in NJ’s ENERGY STAR Homes Program.

PSE&G: Residential Multifamily Housing Program

In 2010, Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) launched the Residential Multifamily Housing Program to help existing multifamily buildings in New Jersey reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions.

For buildings accepted into the program, PSE&G covers the cost of an audit, and is providing funding to help implement the cost-effective energy-efficiency measures identified. SWA has teamed up with MaGrann Associates to provide investment grade audits of several properties, and also to supply full design drawings and specifications, construction administration services, and commissioning for all implemented measures.

Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund Multifamily Initiative

The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund offers incentives through their Residential New Construction program, Home Energy Solutions program, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, as well as their Commercial & Industrial programs. Multifamily buildings often cross over all these programs and are therefore evaluated on a building-by-building basis to determine the incentives that are available.

For multifamily buildings deemed “commercial,” multiple C&I programs serving new construction, major renovations, retrofits, and equipment replacement, provide incentives for a variety of services, such as energy modeling, retro-commissioning, and green building certifications, and for energy efficient upgrades to building systems such as lighting, HVAC, hot water, and building envelope.
If “residential,” eligible new construction and gut rehab multifamily units are offered performance based incentives based on HERS ratings or ENERGY STAR certifications, in addition to prescriptive equipment and insulation incentives. Multifamily retrofits can get low-cost energy audits, as well as custom rebates and financing through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program or the Multifamily Initiative.

SWA can evaluate your specific multifamily project and help you select the most cost-effective energy efficient upgrades and navigate CEEF’s incentive process.