Energy Efficiency and Electrification

Each of the above rebates have separate efficiency requirements that must be met in order to qualify. Please contact us for details.

Rebate Limits

• 70% of costs, limit $50,000, for equity priority buildings.
• 50% of costs, limit $40,000, for all other buildings (standard rebate).

Cap of $4,000. For businesses that need increased electrical capacity when transitioning from gas to electric equipment.

55+% sensible heat recovery effectiveness. Up to 50% of project costs, maximum of $20,000.

• 70% of costs, limit $25,000, for equity priority buildings.
• 50% of costs, limit $20,000, for all other buildings (standard rebate).
• These rebates cannot be stacked together.

• For Equity Priority buildings, PACE will cover up to 70% of project costs, up to a maximum of $25,000.
• For all other buildings, PACE will cover up to 50% of project costs, up to a maximum of $20,000.

Other Requirements:

• Existing windows must be clear and either single or double pane. Window films must be professionally installed. Incentives are only for windows within 45 degrees of West, South, or East (north facing windows do not qualify).
• CI stands for continuous insulation (i.e. no thermal breaks such as studs, rafters, etc.). LS stands for Liner System. Product rating must be met or exceeded to qualify; no partial improvement can be applied.
• R-value is an average across total square footage being insulated. Overall assembly R-value (including existing insulation) may be accepted on a case-by-case basis (provide assembly R-value calculations).

To qualify for rebates, all fixtures, retrofits, and lamps must be LED.

Exterior lighting is required to be either:
1. Dark Sky Compliant listed, or
2. Full cut off and no more than 3,000K in color temperature.

Retrofits of existing outdoor fixtures are exempted from items 1 and 2, but are still subject to local code requirements.

PACE will cover up to 50% of project costs, up to a maximum of $20,000.

PACE will cover up to 50% of project costs, up to a maximum of $20,000.

Businesses under 2,500 square feet may qualify for our Small Business Equity Program, which covers up to 70% of project costs for refrigeration and food service equipment.

PACE rebates are available to commercial and institutional organizations on commercial meters within Boulder County (including non-profits, manufacturing facilities and multifamily housing) installing eligible retrofit measures. Rebates will not be offered to new construction or renovations projects. To distinguish between retrofit and renovation projects, Boulder County will treat the project as new construction/renovation if the business meets two out of the four following criteria:

1. The business is undertaking the project primarily due to a change in the use of the space, which requires changes to the lighting or HVAC systems. For example, warehouse space is being converted to office space.
2. Existing light fixtures are being removed and a totally new light scheme with re-wiring is the result.
3. Required to apply for a construction permit.
4. First time install of electric operated equipment in which higher efficient models are available.

Specific measure eligibility is dependent on the type of upgrade. Contact a PACE advisor for more information.

The following limits apply to 2024 rebates and incentives:

• $50,000* total per parcel
• $100,000* total per applicant

*The Building Electrification Study (Energy Plan) does not count towards these limits. 

PACE reserves the right to waive or adjust limits on a case-by-case basis. Rebates will be limited such that the simple payback period for any project, with all rebates and incentives deducted from total project costs, is not less than one year. Businesses may request an exemption, subject to approval by a committee of PACE staff.

PACE reserves the right to cap funding for any one business sector to ensure a fair distribution of funds.

C-PACE Energy Loans

Colorado Property Assessed Clean Energy Loans (C-PACE) enables owners of Eligible Commercial & Industrial Buildings to finance up to 100% of Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Water Conservation Eligible Improvements.

The easiest and most accurate way to obtain a rebate estimate is to contact a PACE advisor. Regardless, written confirmation of a rebate reservation by a PACE advisor is the only way to ensure that rebate funds will be available for your project. Should you wish to estimate your own rebates, the forms are below.

Rebate estimators:

• 2024 PACE – Lighting Rebate Estimator
• 2024 PACE – HVAC Performance Rebate Estimator
• 2024 PACE – Heat Pump Rebate Estimator
• 2024 PACE – Feasibility Study Rebate Estimator
• 2024 PACE – Water Heater Rebate Estimator
• 2023 PACE – Solar Rebate Estimator
• 2024 PACE – Building Envelope Rebate Estimator
• 2024 PACE – Kitchen Equipment Rebate Estimator

Application forms:

• Terms and Conditions
• Utility Release Form – Longmont Power and Communications Customers
• Utility Release Form – Xcel Energy Customers 
• Consent to Disclose Utility Customer Data – Xcel Energy Customers
• Consent to Disclose Utility Customer Data – Xcel Energy Customers (Spanish)

Note that rebate amounts and requirements are subject to change without notice. PACE rebates are available on a first come, first serve basis. Businesses/contractors are required to contact an advisor prior to the purchase of energy efficiency measures to confirm funding availability, ensure that your project meets the eligibility requirements and to schedule an energy assessment/walk through of the project to verify existing equipment.

• City of Boulder Building Performance Ordinance and compliance information
• City of Boulder Solar Grant offers up to 50% in funding for nonprofit organization’s solar projects
• EnergyStar Certified Lighting – list of EnergyStar certified lighting products
• EnergyStar Guide for Commercial Kitchens – A guide for energy efficiency in commercial kitchens and EnergyStar appliances
• EnergyStar Office Equipment – list of EnergyStar certified office equipment
• EnergyStar Portfolio Manager – An online tool to benchmark the energy performance of buildings
• EnergyStar Vending Machine Information – lists of qualifying products, key product criteria, drop-in procurement language and savings calculators for energy efficient vending machines
• Energy Outreach Colorado NEEP – Non-Profit energy efficiency grants program

Resource Sheets:

• LED Guidance
• Lighting Comparison